Depressive Episodes
Depressive episodes can be common for people experiencing certain mental health problems such as depression, bipolar and more. They can also be very difficult to handle. Unlike sad or depressing moments experienced by people without mental health problems, these can be much more severe or extreme depending on where you are with your mental health, what mental illnesses you have and more.
Although I am lucky enough to not experience these too often, there are times when I do experience them and I thought I would share some things that have helped me which may be beneficial for some of you guys as well.
Seek Professional Help
If you are experiencing a depressive episode or have experienced depressive episodes I would recommend going to a professional first if you have not already. The reason I say this is because there are multiple reasons you may be experiencing these emotions and only a professional can help you get to the root of the issue. And it’s always best to get to the root because then you’ll know what the best course of action is.
Depression and depressive episodes can be caused by mental issues but they may also be caused by physical issues or illnesses. A professional will help you figure out what physical tests you can do to make sure it’s not caused by a physical illness. They can also help you figure out if you are be suffering from a mental illness and what it may be.
Once you know exactly what the issue is, you can try medications, alternative therapies and more to figure out what would help you the most.
Try To Distract Yourself
One thing that really helps me when I feel that way is to distract myself from the negative feelings because they can get quite overwhelming. I don’t always succeed but I’m getting better at it over time. If you do something that makes you happy such as hanging out with friends or family, doing some hobbies like art or writing etc, you’ll start to feel better as the dopamine kicks in.
Try Natural Remedies
If you take medications, make sure to take them regularly. I know sometimes when you’re depressed it’s very difficult to take care of yourself or even do the bare minimum but it’s important to continue taking the medications you need.
If you don’t take medications and prefer to try some alternative ways to help improve your mood/mental health there are some natural remedies that many people including myself find very helpful. Firstly, I always recommend CBD oil because it can be extremely beneficial to those suffering from certain mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety and others. I would suggest talking to a professional before taking it though so that they can help you find the right dosage, type and more.
Another thing that is super beneficial is breathing exercises. To be honest, I was extremely sceptical about these and I was just laughing with a friend the other day about how I used to think breathing exercises could not be that helpful. I obviously changed my mind about them a few years ago when I tried them out and they actually helped a lot. They sort of give you this instant rush of dopamine and you feel really uplifted and happy. It’s weird how simple but effective they are. I would recommend trying different breathing techniques till you find the right one for you because different things help different people.
One of the most beneficial things for me is yoga and meditation. They are both extremely helpful for mood control and emotional regulation. However, to see the real benefits of both I would recommend doing them long-term as it sometimes takes a while for you to get used to them and figure out what works for you. Even if you don’t have too much time try to do each for a few minutes every day. I have also gotten a few comments, emails and DM’s from people asking me about meditation. So many people tell me they really want to try meditation but don’t know where or how to start. That’s why I decided to start offering virtual meditation sessions for beginners. Guided meditations are much easier for beginners as it stops you from getting distracted which happens way more than you think when you first start meditating. If that’s something you would be interested in feel free to click here and go to the “other” section for more information. If you would prefer in-person, find out if anyone offers meditation around you. Most places have someone that does. If you see a therapist or some kind of professional they may also know someone so ask them as well.
Exercising can also be beneficial for a lot of people. Personally, I’m not big on exercising but I do try to do some yoga and take walks whenever I can and that can be really helpful if you’re feeling down or feeling overwhelmed by negative emotions. If you do enjoy exercising you can do things like join the gym, get some equipment to exercise at home and more.
Have A Balanced Lifestyle
Having a balanced lifestyle or some kind of schedule or balance in your life can be extremely helpful. I have noticed that I always feel worse when I eat very unhealthy, don’t get the right amount of sleep or pretty much just don’t have things together. These factors can make even mild depressive episodes much worse. If you are prone to getting depressive episodes or are going through one try to sleep the right amount, eat healthy, get some exercise and stay on schedule. I know it’s significantly easier said then done but sometimes you just have to push yourself for your own good. Just do the best you can and hopefully you’ll get better at taking care of yourself over time.
Give In
By give in I don’t mean give up. Don’t let the depression or negative emotions take over as hard as they may try to. Instead give in a little. think about what led to this episode. Sometimes it may be a sign that you have been neglecting your mental health, overworking yourself, surrounding yourself with toxic people and more. If your depressive episode is due to something other than the chemicals in your brain take some time to work on your mental health, take some time to relax. Basically, do whatever it takes to make yourself feel better.
Conclusion
I really hope that you guys find these helpful. Let me know in the comments if you already practice any of these or would like to start practicing any of them.
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