Beating Depression
Feeling unhappy when something difficult happens to you is entirely normal. But if what goes up must come down, it's also true that what goes down should eventually come up. If you're feeling down for days on end, with no change in mood, you may be experiencing depression.
Know you're not alone: experts estimate between 10 to 15 percent of people will be depressed at some point in their lives. In fact, depression is the most common of all mental-health conditions.
Warning Signs
Review the following list of red
flags to see if you may be in
danger of depression:
- Feeling sad nearly all of the time
-
Loss of interest in previously
enjoyed activities and relationships
-
Problems getting to sleep or
sleeping excessively
-
Noticeable change in weight
or eating habits
-
Feeling exhausted and weak
-
Feeling anxious or fidgety
-
Inability to concentrate,
make decisions, or remember things
-
Thinking extreme thoughts (e.g.,
guilt, hopelessness, suicide)
Depression Self-Care
When you're on the verge of depression, you're less likely to take proper care of yourself. Still, there are small steps you can take that will help you to move away from the edge of despair:
- Stay away from drugs and alcohol, and environments in which they are readily available. As depressants, they will only worsen your depression.
- Avoid junk food and try to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Stay hydrated by drinking at least eight glasses of water a day.
- Walk at least half an hour a day. This has been shown to alleviate symptoms of mild depression by as much as 50 percent.
- Don't shut out your family and friends. Make an effort to accept their invitations to do things with them.
- Learn more about depression by reading the articles on your wellness portal under "Mental/Emotional Health." Remind yourself that you're not to blame.
- Don't make any major life decisions while you're in a state of depression. Accept that recovery is a gradual process and that you must give it time.
- Get help. You can start by contacting your EAP provider. They'll help you find sources of support and strategies for dealing with your depression at home and at work.
