How to deal with depression?

  “Healthy lifestyle is a wealthy Lifestyle.” A healthy lifestyle can be adopted with adequate sleep, a healthy and nutritious diet plan, and stress-free life. But nowadays people don’t even get time for themselves, so the topic of having a good diet and all seems unrealistic. Pre- Covid scenario was somewhat in the favour of a healthy lifestyle but the post- covid scenario has developed many new health issues. On one hand, where people have got a lot of time during lockdown to work on their lifestyle and health, some other people have faced many financial challenges due to which they have entered the vicious cycle of depression. Depression is a state of mental disorder that slowly eats up the mental peace of a person. This is usually caused by isolation or the feeling of being left alone. In a recent survey made by the US census bureau in December 2020, it was reported that more than 42 percent of people are suffering from depression in the U.S. and there is an increase of 11 percent in this rate. Studies and surveys also show that young people are more prone to depression and other mental disorders than older people. Symptoms of depression include- hopelessness, loss of interest in hobbies, mood swings, irritability, and restlessness. Depression sometimes often makes people suicidal. In these tough covid times many reports often show a gradual increase in suicidal rates. During the time of covid, we are advised by doctors and health experts to stay mentally calm, fit, and immune but depression discourages all these aspects. Some measures which can be taken to deal with depression and stay calm can be followed-:

Firstly-: As we have got a lot of time during covid we can spend some of it healthily and effectively. We must plan a proper schedule of our daily activities and out of the 24 hours we get, we must spend few hours in yoga. Yoga and meditation are the only ways to overcome depression. Corpse pose is one of the most famous “asana” for relieving stress. Indian medical culture “Ayurveda” also has many treatments for curing depression and these are natural thus there are no side effects. Hence we must follow these to attain mental peace.

Second-: We must read books which motivate us and tell us the value of Health and life.

 Third -: Make a balanced diet plan. A diet is called balanced when it covers all the nutrients required for the proper growth of the human body. Make a health chart of your own and keep a check on your nutritional value. Don’t let the nutritional value deteriorate because during the times of covid good immunity is a boon.

Fourth-: We know that during these tough times no one can meet physically so try to stay connected with your friends or colleagues with the help of calls or chats. Try to keep yourself busy so that negatives thoughts wouldn’t get a place in your amazing minds. Also, live your lockdown period to the fullest try to follow some amazing social media trends like making “Dalgona coffee” or something else, engage yourself in learning some new skills. It could be dance or singing etc.

Fifth-: Stay motivated and believe in yourself. Whenever you wake up in the morning your first statement must be “I am the best, I can achieve the things I want in my life.” Have faith in God and remember tough times never stay for a long time. A bright future always waits for you. Make sure that to get rid of depression do not directly try to go in medications, first follow the basic measures given above.

Sixth-: Now the final and the most important magical factor for avoiding depression is spending time with friends and family because physical and mental health always doesn’t define your healthy life but happiness too. Cortisol is a hormone that is increased by taking a lot of stress and the disadvantage of this hormone is that it disturbs sleep and increases weight. Being happy reduces the production of cortisol and we get proper sleep.

 Happiness is the most powerful tonic for curing any mental disorder. So by following these measures we will surely be able to overcome these tough times and the day when this covid will eradicate is no farther. Our only duty is to maintain our health and to attain a healthy lifestyle and one must always remember “Smile is the best cure.”

By Akshata Singh