This year has been rough on mental health. Not only are we told constantly to stay away from people and have restricted access to gyms, social gatherings, and other activities, but we are bombarded every day with news of thousands of people sick and dying. It’s been a tough year. Millions of Americans, many of whom get most of their social stimulus every day from work, are no longer able to go to the office and have lunch with colleagues or work together in teams. Zoom calls do the job, but everyone knows it’s just not the same.
As a result of massive disruption to how we live our lives, more people are struggling with anxiety and depression at home. We’re unable to call a friend and ask them to meet us at a restaurant or go to a spin class to sweat out the stress as easily as we once were. Maintaining our physical health is a challenge, and it’s something all of us have to be more proactive in managing to ensure we keep depression at bay.
If you’ve been dealing with depression at home or know someone who has, there are things you can do to help. Here are some easy tips for dealing with depression that you can start doing today.
Get Outside for Some Fresh Air
Even though there are a lot of restrictions on outdoor activities in most places, for the most part, you can still get outside for a walk, run, or some other form of exercise. We can’t overstate the importance of being physically healthy and physical health’s impact on your mental health. A 30-minute walk will clear your head and help reduce stress. Make it a daily habit and it will quickly turn into something you look forward to every day.
Set Incremental Goals
A lot of people are struggling during the coronavirus because they feel like they are stuck. If you think this is a cause of your depression at home, setting incremental goals will give you something to work towards and give you some sense of achievement. Start with small things like keeping your room or house tidy. Make a weight loss goal or make a goal to talk to one of your friends every day to see how they’re doing. Reaching out to others is often a great way to overcome depression.
Semax Use and Depression
As stated by Peptidesciences, Semax is a peptide that was developed in Russia and has been found in tests on mice to have benefits related to improving depression. In research done on mice, Semax has been shown that increasing levels of BDNF helps regulate the brain’s function and the effects of depression. It’s giving clues into new and possibly better ways to treat depression.
Talk to Someone
You need to recognize if depression is getting the best of you. It’s perfectly normal for someone to get the blues or feel down for a few days. If, however, the situation is chronic and serious to the point where any sort of self-harm or suicidal inclinations start to develop, it’s time to take action. Talk to a doctor or reach out to a therapist. These treatments can be done via Zoom and they can work with you to develop a pathway out of your depression.
Above all, take note of what affects your mood and set conditions most conducive to promoting positive mental health. Simple things like exercising, eating the right foods, listening to the right music, and connecting with family and close friends can have an immediate positive impact on your mood.
