It’s normal to feel sad or blue from time to time. In fact, experiencing a dip in the mood once in a while is okay. But when the blues persist and start interfering with your ability to function normally on a day-to-day basis, then it is a problem. If you have been experiencing low moods and negative thoughts for more than two weeks, it is likely that you are suffering from depression.  

Although there is no magic formula for beating depression, there are ways to manage depression so that they don’t interfere with your relationships and everyday activities.

What is depression?

Depression is a mood disorder that causes feelings of sadness, despair, emptiness, sleeping disorder or insomnia, and a general lack of interest in daily activities. According to a recent study, depression affects up to one in five people at some point during their lives. People with depressive disorders have a higher risk of suicide, which may be caused by an unrecognized depression. 

The severity and duration of depressive symptoms are the most important factors in determining if a person has a major depressive disorder. For most people, feelings of sadness or lethargy are short-term problems that happen from time to time. However, when these feelings last more than two weeks and interfere with daily activities, they may be symptoms of clinical depression.

Causes of depression

Although the exact cause of depression is not known, researchers believe that a combination of biological and psychological factors trigger the condition. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), modern-day stress, loneliness, less social life, genetics, stressful life events, childhood abuse, and neglect are factors that can increase your risk of developing depression. 

Studies have shown that people who are depressed are more likely to have abnormalities in certain areas of their brains and certain genes. Some of the other factors include COVID-19, certain personality traits, such as high levels of neuroticism and low levels of conscientiousness, alcohol and drugs that can also cause depression.

Symptoms of depression:

The most common symptoms of depression are constant feelings of sadness or a general feeling of emptiness and irritability. Other symptoms include loss of interest, an inability to concentrate and make decisions, insomnia followed by excessive daytime sleepiness, feelings of worthlessness, and thoughts of death or suicide. 

How to manage depression?

You can reduce and manage depressive episodes by engaging in healthy lifestyle habits as follows:

Talk to Someone:

Having someone to listen and help you navigate through difficult thoughts and feelings can make all the difference. Whether you choose to speak with a therapist, a doctor, a friend, or a family member about your symptoms, it’s crucial for your mental health to have this support system in place.

Exercise Everyday:

Not only will exercise help ease the symptoms of depression, but it can also improve your mood, sleep, and reduce stress. Research even shows that regular exercise can be as effective as antidepressant medication in treating depression. Involve yourself in jogging, workouts, yoga, and even dance. Letting out all the depression and anxiety through physical activity works a lot.

Practice Self-Care:

Doing something each day to take care of yourself is one of the best ways to manage your depression. Self-care doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive — it can be as simple as taking a walk, making sure to get enough sleep, manicure & pedicure, or even playing with a child. Whatever it is, it’s important to carve out some time each day to do something nice for yourself.

Also, check out our Sleep disorder treatment guide.

Medication: 

If you’re diagnosed with depression, the best way to manage your symptoms long-term is to take medication as prescribed by your doctor. Not only are antidepressants proven to be effective, but they’re also safe for long-term use. 

Taking medication for depression is nothing to be ashamed of.  If you want to combat depressive episodes and be active again, take online medications for depression like Celexa, Paxil, Zoloft, etc., These medications come in handy and help a great deal in dealing with depression. 

Depression can be a challenging condition to manage, but taking these steps will help you manage your depression. Remember that it takes time and effort to recover, and there’s no such thing as a quick fix. It’s important to be patient with yourself and give these strategies time to work.