Make an appointment with a specialist or general practitioner. This is coming from one walking the path.
A great majority of the time if one has depression, he/she will also have anxiety. The number one health problem in the world today is stress; consequently, all steps should be taken to control it. Up to 40% of clinical depression is genetic. It has nothing to do with lack of willpower. Also, depression can be caused by traumatic brain injury (TBI). All efforts to control your anxiety/depression should be initiated by health care personnel.
You can also use countless non-chemical means to cope with depression and/or stress. Some, and this is a shortlist, are:
- Get up 15 minutes earlier
- Prepare for the morning the night before
- Avoid tight-fitting clothes
- Avoid relying on chemical aids
- Set appointments ahead
- Don’t rely on your memory
- Write it down
- Practice preventive maintenance
- Make duplicate keys
- Say no more often
- Set priorities
- Avoid negative people
- Use time wisely
- Simplify meal times
- Always make copies of important papers
- Anticipate your needs
- Stop worrying that other people are thinking about you. (They are not thinking about you….you are not the center of the universe!)
- Repair something that doesn’t work properly
- Ask for help for jobs you dislike
- Break large tasks into bite-size portions
- Un-clutter your life
- Smile
- Be prepared for rain
- Tickle a baby
- Pet your dog/cat
- Don’t know all the answers
- Look for a silver lining
- Say something nice to someone
- Teach a kid to fly a kite
- Walk in the rain
- Schedule playtime in every day
- Take a bubble bath
- Be aware of the decisions you make
- Believe in you
- Stop saying negative things to yourself
- Visualize yourself winning
- Develop your sense of humor
- Stop thinking tomorrow will be better
- Have goals for yourself
- Dance a jig
- Say hello to a stranger
- Ask a friend for a hug
- Look up at the stars
- Practice breathing slowly
- Learn to whistle a tune
- Read a poem
- Listen to a symphony
- Watch a ballet
- Read a story curled up in bed
- Do a brand new thing
- Stop a bad habit
- Buy yourself a flower
- Take stock of your achievements
- Find support from others
- Ask someone to be your vent partner
- Do it your way
- Work at being cheerful and optimistic
- Put safety first
- Do everything in moderation
- Pay attention to your appearance
- Strive for excellence NOT perfection
- Stretch your limits a little each day
- Look at a work of art
- Hum a jingle
- Maintain your weight
- Plant a tree
- Feed the birds
- Practice grace under pressure
- Stand up and stretch
- Always have a plan B
- Learn a new doodle
- Memorize a joke
- Be responsible for your feelings
- Learn to meet your own needs
- Become a good listener
- Know your limitations and let others know them too
- Tell someone to have a good day in pig Latin
- Throw a paper airplane
- Exercise everyday
- Learn the words to a new song
- Get to work early
- Clean out one closet
- Play patty cake with a toddler
- Go on a picnic
- Take a different route to work
- Leave work early (with permission)
- Put an air freshener in your car
- Watch a movie and eat popcorn
- Write a note to a faraway friend
- Go to a ball game a scream
- Cook a meal and eat it by candlelight
- Recognize the importance of unconditional love
- Remember that stress is an attitude
- Keep a journal
- Practice a monster smile
- Remember you always have “options”
- Have a support network of people, places and things
- Quit trying to “fix” other people
- Get enough sleep
- Talk less and listen more
- Freely praise other people
- P.S. Relax, take it easy….you have the rest of your life.
- Please know if you have been diagnosed with anxiety, these “de-stressors” and many more should be used along with prescribed medication….NOT in lieu of prescribed medication.
EVERYONE has endured to various degrees anxiety & depression during their lifetime. The mentioned list is only one group of suggestions. You may have found other outlets to assist in conquering or living with anxiety/depression. PLEASE feel free to describe those outlets on this blog. Perhaps more importantly, you are looking for answers. Please feel free to ask any questions here. Thank you!