These are just some symptoms that can be signs of depression.
-Feeling down too often and loss of interest
-Loss of appetite
-Unable to sleep
-Feelings of unworthiness
What can you do for yourself if you are unable to seek professional medical attention?
-Stay connected with family and friends
-Share your experience with at least one person
-Take outdoor walks
-Journal at least one thing you are grateful for each day
-Think on your past achievements no matter how small
-Do something kind for a stranger
STAY CONNECTED WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS
No matter what is going on in your thoughts, staying connected with your family and friends can be uplifting. Even when you do not feel like gathering with others, just moments of laughter or a warm feeling when gathering can make all the difference. Your body may feel pain, but this is a time that you need to fight for a healthy mind.
SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH AT LEAST ONE PERSON
Boston University School of Public Health reveals that the elevated rate of depression has persisted into 2021, and even worsened, climbing to 32.8 percent, and affecting 1 in every 3 American adults?
And according to the World Health Organization, 322 million people worldwide suffer from depression.
With these statistics you are more likely to find that when sharing your story, the other person may be experiencing the same. Do not hesitate to reach out to at least one person. Owning your story can be helping the other person release their pain too. THIS IS NOT A TIME TO GO IT ALONE!
TAKE OUTDOOR WALKS
You may be experiencing incomplete thoughts that are bombarding your mind. This is the time to get up and take a walk outdoors. Did you know that just a walk outdoors will produce your feel-good endorphins?
Yes, those feel-good “free” endorphins are released! Do everything to talk yourself into taking a walk which will create positive changes. You have the power to relieve the pain by taking a simple walk to change your state of mind.
JOURNAL AT LEAST ONE THING THAT YOU ARE GRATEFUL FOR EACH DAY
Yes, it is so easy for us to set aside the good that is happening in our life. So, if you begin a journal and daily write just one thing that you are grateful, a positive psychological shift will take place.
I am 100% real, so I am not saying to let’s think of the man who had no shoes and he felt grateful when he saw the man without any feet. No, cliches do not work now or before.
I am saying that be grateful and acknowledge the smallest thing in your life that is good. It does not need to be great but just good works.
THINK ON YOUR PAST ACHEIVEMENTS IN LIFE, NO MATTER HOW SMALL
Despite how you feel about yourself and your life today, you have achievements in your life. This is a time to sit and focus on the good you have done in your life and in the life of others. Recall the small kind thoughtful acts you have done for others that no one knows. Think on how often you held good thoughts for someone else who was going through a rough time in life. Remember how you stepped out to do for others.
Your self-worth is about you and no one or nothing can take this from you. It does not matter what is happening or not happening, you are worthy!
DO SOMETHING KIND FOR A STRANGER
We can be quietly hurting and just a simple act to a stranger will ease our pain. For example, you are in the grocery store, and you see a stranger unable to open the door because her/his hands are full, step up and open the door. A simple small act? You will be amazed as to how this act release the feel-good endorphins and will even bring a smile to your face.