7 simple ways to deal with depressive days
***Important: This list is meant for light depressive moods or those darker days. If you suffer from a stronger depression, it is essential to reach out to a psychotherapist or/and doctor.***
Let's dive in:
1. Look for help!
Priority number 1!!! Tell the doctor you trust how you are really feeling. Or a friend. Or your partner. It doesn't matter to whom you speak, tell it to someone you trust, and ask for support. Even if showing your vulnerability is the last thing you would like to do, do it, only this time! You will feel better, promise!
I know how overwhelming it can be in such a psychological crisis to get a list from your doctor with names of psychotherapists into your hands with the words: "Here. Call those therapists and arrange an appointment."
Ask him or your friends if they have a recommendation for a good therapist and arrange an appointment. Just do it! Or if you are already in therapy: Every good therapist has emergency consultation hours. Call and book an appointment.
Now. In this moment.
Congratulations! Now you did the first step!
2. Cuddeling with your partner or a friend.
Get a portion of the freely available cuddle- and bonding hormone Oxytocin. Daily. 10 minutes or longer, if its possible. Let yourself be held. Without the need to give something back, or someone wants something from you.
It is very simple, and it is free.
How do you feel afterward? Relaxed? Comfortable? Warm? Grab your phone and arrange a date now!
3. Eat well and healthy
Stop eating dead (poor on vitamins and nutrients) food. Cut off the industrially produced foods, fast food, sugar, alcohol, gluten for a while. Add fresh biological organic veggies and fruits (best raw, if you digest it well) to your meal plan. Try it out for 4 weeks and see how you feel!
For the sweet-toothed: I love fresh-pressed juices made with my slow juicer. You can fit a big amount of nutrients in one glass:
¼ ananas, one pear, one lime and 3 cm of ginger, ¼ cucumber, one stick of celery, 1 floret cauliflower and ½ of a avocado.
Enjoy!
4. Move your body
Get the circulation going. Go into a fitness studio and move your body. Sweat. Breathe. Train your muscles. Help your body to detox and cleanse.
Your body does his best for you, always!
So help him! And yes, in the beginning, it might also be painful. But this is growth pain ;) But it is at least better than the numb feeling, you know what I'm talking about?
Look for something that is FUN!
5. Go into nature
Dive deep into the silence of the forest. Lean on a tree, that attracts you, feel his support on your back. Give him your worries.
Sit on a stream and listen to the sounds of the water. Let the stream clear you.
Walk barefoot.
Breathe in the fresh green air.
Observe the world from a mountain peak ( hike to the top or take a lift and take a walk upon the mountain). Your problems seem to be very small up there. Tip: Hörnlebahn Kohlgrub or Heimgarten/Herzogstandbahn.
Rent a small boat and discover the lake within the water. Tip: Lake Eib / Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Lake Staffel / Murnau.
Enjoy the peaceful silence of a snow walk.
6. Dance
Create a playlist for those darker days, which are uplifting and shift your mood and dance.
One of my favorites:
Sound of the Sirens - Next Year
Afro Celt Sound System - Mojave
Ingrid Michaelson - Keep Breathing
Veeresh and the Humaniversity Sound - No Boundary
Janin Devi - Turn Turn Turn
Xavier Rudd - Follow the Sun
Jason Mraz - Life is wonderful
Andreas Bourani - Auf uns
David Bailey - Its Ok
Teesy - Jackpot
Be Svendsen - Circle
MIA - Komm mein Mädchen
Paul Van Dyk - Illuminate The Planet
Alicia Keys - Superwoman
7. Watch a good mood movie
Sometimes we tend to watch drama's on days like this like Schindlers List, Mr. Church or Now is Good, etc. Great and beautiful films, no doubt!
But if you are already feeling sensitive and vulnerable in a crisis and you want to shift that: Don't do it!
Watch good mood movies, these are one of my favourites:
Mamma Mia
Fuck Ju Göthe
Traumfrauen
Pitch Perfect
LOL (Laughing out loud)
The Ugly Truth
Silver Linings
Little Miss Sunshine
The Help
Systemfehler - Wenn Inge tanzt
Man Up
Analyze This
The Greatest Showman
Anne with an „E“
Last but not least:
Kick your butt.
Realize and always check how you feel AFTERWARDS. LET YOURSELF FALL INTO THIS FEELING, ABSORB IT AND KEEP IT! AS MORE AS YOU PRACTICE, THE EASIER YOUR BODY WILL REMEMBER IT!
I hope that these tips supporting you and if you know someone with a depressive mood at the moment: Share the text and bring some light into her/his day. Even better: Make a visit and cuddle!
Alles Liebe
Elke
Text: © Elke Hannig
Photos primates-3586536
road-815297_1920
fog-25823