Once in a while, you might find yourself depressed. Or maybe you have a clinically diagnosed depression disorder. There are a bunch of things you can do to reduce your depression. You know the works—eating healthier, working out, reading good books, talking to friends and finding hobbies that make you happier in general. How about the things you shouldn’t be doing more of while you feel depressed?
It can be easier to slowly break out of the bad habits that make you feel even more depressed. Some of them might be a part of your lifestyle or routine, and you just don’t know how bad they are for you. Let’s take a look at the 10 things not to do if you’re depressed.
10 Things You Shouldn’t do if You’re depressed:
Here’s my trusty list of 10 things you shouldn’t do if you’re depressed:
1 | Bottling up emotions
Emotions should be handled in a healthy way. Instead of feeling sorry for yourself, or hating yourself, you should learn to understand where your emotions are coming from. Learn to observe your emotions, rather than dive in deep and become them. You are not your feelings. Emotions and feelings are reactions that you acknowledge, but choose to feel, or to let go. Learn to fight your negative thoughts with more positive ones. Battle impossible and negative scenarios with positive and logical thoughts.
2 | Go on Instagram and compare your body to someone else’s
Ah, Instagram. The bane of my existence and self-growth. I quit Instagram a few months ago and I’ve never felt better. Sometimes I think about downloading my Instagram again but then I remember how much progress I’ve made by living my life real-time. It can be tempting to scroll through Instagram when you’re really bored. Maybe you promise you’ll only look at the funny memes. However, suddenly you are comparing yourself to gorgeous (facetuned) models your same age! And thus begins a depressive episode. It’s just not worth it.
3 | Reading the news
I only feel a teensy bit bad about not keeping up with all the evil going on in the world. For empaths like myself, it can be hard to be cheery after reading about horrendous news online. You tend to feel personally responsible for doing something, anything to help. Then you feel wretched because you can’t really do much to help. Maybe that in turn inspires an anxiety episode. Don’t read the news if you don’t want to be depressed.
4 | Watch/Read triggering material
Okay so, if you KNOW something about sexual abuse is going to set you off, just keep away from it. Part of healing is to stay away from your triggers. Actually, before that, you need to study your triggers. What causes you to get upset and feel depressed? Once you figure out these triggers, stay as far away as possible. Watching movies that have topics that are sensitive to you can cause a mental breakdown, or they might make you want to engage in habits that are dangerous to your health.
5 | Listen to sad songs
Sad songs are going to make you even sadder. If you listen to your ex’s favorite song, you’re going to feel depressed. Sad songs just inspire sadness and loneliness. Choose happy and up-beat songs that will boost your mood and make you feel better. In fact, you should create a playlist specifically designed to pick you up when you feel low.
6 | Eat oily junk food
Junk food is going to make you feel even slimier than you already feel. Cold pizza in the fridge? No. try a green smoothie and feel like you are actually doing something to brighten up your day. Fruits are great for boosting your mood. Healthy food provides you with nutrients that boost your serotonin levels. You can also try out supplements to reduce depression.
7 | Stay at home all day
Even worse, stay in bed all day. This will keep old and stale energies hovering about you. Get up, make your bed, brush your teeth and take a shower. This will make you feel a little better. Call up some friends and head out, or go out to the movies on your own. You can also take yourself to a café and do some journaling. Sometimes a change in scenery is all you need to boost your mood.
8 | Talk to toxic people
Talking to toxic people when you feel depressed is a bad habit. The first step in breaking a bad habit is to recognize that you are talking to the wrong people and they will make you feel worse. However, don’t feel bad if you can’t seem to stop. You can’t break a bad habit in one day. Small steps is all I’m asking. Don’t talk to an ex or your toxic ex-bestie. It will inevitably ruin your mood. You need to pick up healthier habits like painting, reading, or journaling.
9 | Distancing yourself from others
When you feel depressed, you might think that don’t want to transfer any of that energy to your loved ones. Healthy ranting and sharing is good for your mental health. Don’t stay away from other people. In fact, sometimes people just want to help you. However, be sure to choose the right people to share with. Don’t unload your sadness to someone who will take advantage of you.
10 | Destructive behavior
If you’re depressed, don’t drink or do drugs. This will worsen things more than they are. Aim at doing things that will make you feel better. Always choose what is best for your mental health. Don’t go for what your peers will think of us cool. In other cases, people are actually addicted to these destructive behaviors and driven to them due to depression. Please seek professional help in order to learn how to healthily cope with feeling depressed.
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