Break the cycle of depression

Depression is a personal issue that affects 20% of people. It is a unique condition that is different for each person and the trigger of the depression can be for a multitude of reasons; it could be a traumatic event, a feeling of loss of ability or purpose, stress related (bereavements or divorce), suppressing anger etc.

The main cause of depression can be considered to be the action of turning your feelings inward. What this does is repress your emotions to the point where a small problem that you could hold in your hand now becomes this huge boulder that you can't move.

There a few ways that you can help keep depression at bay:

Turn to loved ones and tell them how you feel, remember the main booster for depression is allowing it to thrive by not talking about it; isolation will lead to further repression and drive you downwards. By starting to talk to people who you love and trust is a good starting point to begin to express your emotions in a constructive manner.

By going to social activities even if you don't want to is a crucial way to maintain a human connection. By going to places you break up your isolation and form some form of connection with good friends, which breaks the routine of being alone.

Support groups can be a great asset to share feelings and emotions with people who understand what you are going through; even though the trigger or cause might be different the symptoms and indeed through patterns can be quite similar, therefore, sharing experiences can be very useful. The depression alliance is an organisation that has local support groups and if you want to see what is in your area then this is a good place to start.

Other good ways are to help depression are:

• Put on some music and have a boogie.
• Take your dog for a walk.
• Use the stairs rather than a lift (break the routine).
• Park your car further away; enjoy the walk.
• Think outside the box.
• Accept perfection is a unrealistic ideal.
• Socialise with positive people.
• Keep a "negative thought log."
• Don’t skip meals.
• Take a walk in nature.
• List what you like about yourself.
• Read a good book.
• Watch a funny movie or TV show.
• Take a long, hot bath.
• Take care of a few small tasks.
• Play with your pet.
• Talk to friends or family face-to-face.
• Listen to your favourite music.
• Do something spontaneous.

If you need help with depression then maybe a counsellor or some form of talking therapy is a good way to express your thoughts and feelings in confidence and if you don't want to do it in a group setting.

Find what works for you and use it to fight off that negative thinking.