7 Lifestyle hacks to help ease depression

Mental health has become a sensitive issue and people now acknowledge it more openly than before. Although it may not be easy to quickly get out of it, here are a few tips to gradually deal with it.

As a large number of people today deal with depression, it is essential to understand how lifestyle affects mental health, besides aspects that can be worked upon to help ease the struggle.

1. Break the mundane pattern; introduce something new to your routine
   Lack of motivation and fatigue are some of the early signs of depression. Routine can enhance the sense of doldrums, and hence, it is important to break it and try something new. You can add a new activity to your routine that interests you, such as gardening, art, yoga, etc. so that you have something to look forward to every day.
2. Gratitude journaling
   Gratitude journaling is different from journaling; herein, the only things that you write down are the ones you are thankful for. Jot down the things you are grateful for, be it friends, family or job, in a journal every day.
3. Re-write and re-wire
   If there is a part in your life that you are unhappy with, re-write it! Change the narrative, and write down the story the way you would like it to be. Changing the narrative may help you feel better and think about that part of your life in a positive way.
4. Sleep!
   Sleep is more than just taking a physical rest. It works as an auto-clean of the mind and is hence crucial to every aspect of health, especially mental health. Researchers believe that it is best to sleep by 10 pm, midnight at max. A sleep of 7-9 hours is considered ideal.
5. Switch to a healthier diet; incorporate anti-inflammatory foods
   A healthy and balanced diet is always recommended for better health. A diet deficient in B12 and omega 3 fatty acids cause increased inflammation in the parts of the brain responsible for mood. Therefore, this can leave you irritated and depressed.
6. Exercise
   According to the Journal of clinical psychiatry, exercise improves mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and negative mood and by improving self-esteem and cognitive function. It has also been found to alleviate symptoms such as low self-esteem and social withdrawal. Thus, including a workout session of 45-60 minutes in your daily routine is always recommended, not just for better mental health, but for overall physical health as well.
7. Do not stop; one step at a time, is also progress
   You need not rush things and expect instant results. Few things take time. You cannot simply turn off depression. Seeing the future or the bigger picture can feel overwhelming at times. So it is best to deal with what's immediately in hand and then gradually over on to the other step. Every step of the journey counts!

(With agency inputs)