What is Depression and Developing Healthy Coping Skills
Depression and Coping Skills
What is depression?
Depression causes a low mood that can last a long time or keep on recurring and disrupting your life. It is a common problem that impacts many people globally. It can range from mild to severe and the impact varies from person to person. It is more than just a bad day and we all have bad days so even if you feel irritable one day it doesn’t mean that you have depression. Depression can make you feel many things but some of the common ways in which it can impact your life are:
- Feeling sad, tearful, and hopeless for two weeks or more
- Making you feel isolated and withdrawing from friends and family
- Sleep disturbances (sleeping less or more than usual)
- Increased anxiety and restlessness
- Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
- Problems with your interpersonal relationships
- Your life lacks meaning and you feel constantly bored/dissatisfied
- Lack of interest in the things about life that you used to enjoy (Healthline, 2021)
Why do I feel this way?
Life is difficult and it has many ups and downs. It’s not a straight forward journey and it is so unpredictable so it’s normal to encounter some bumps along the way and some of those might be big bumps. Depression can be caused by life’s changes and losses such as bereavement, childhood trauma, stress and, relationship difficulties. It can also be caused by a hormonal imbalance and brain functioning. You are also more likely to get depression if your parents suffered from it (Healthline, 2021).
How is it treated?
As much as having depression can feel overwhelming and make you feel like there is no hope. There is always hope and you are in a good space, here at 7 Cups. There are many treatment methods for depression such as therapy and medication but whatever you choose, it should work for you. Some people find relief by talking to someone and at 7 Cups we have amazing volunteers to help you feel better.
What Coping Skills Work Best?
As with all coping skills, it's important to find out what works for you! Here are some that you could try:
Human connection - interact with others whether that is on 7 Cups or offline. Depression can make you feel isolated and withdraw from others but what you need the most is a friendly person who can walk with you in your moment of need.
Healthy habits - sleep, nutrition and exercise. This will be different for each person but do what works best for you to find a happy balance.
Get creative - even if you feel like you aren’t creative! Perhaps it’s making a necklace from some beads you have at home, making a card for someone, or just doodling. There are some amazing mindfulness colouring in books that really help.
Mindfulness - what is around you? What can you see and hear? Have you gone for a walk (if this works for you)? Meditation has proven to be beneficial for people with depression.
Learn your triggers - learn what makes you feel depressed so you can better cope.
Yoga - think of this as deep breathing, exercise, and meditation all rolled into one. A personal favourite of mine! :)
Volunteer - Volunteering is a great way to give back and feel better. Have you ever wanted to become a listener at 7 Cups? “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Mahatma Ghandi
What other coping skills do you find helpful when you are feeling depressed?
Thanks for this wonderful information.
I just find it difficult to get support from friends and family as they are all doing so well and are in the later stages of their life that it's hard to even tell them what you're going through.
@generousBalloon786 family often have their own preconceptions about how my life should be. They often have stigmas of what mental health is and mostly want to sweep things under the rug and not discuss them or dismiss them.
That is why I find 7cups so valuable. It gives me the chance to reach out to others who understand and are not afraid to talk openly about mental health.
@soulsings Thanks for opening up a little bit.
I am so sorry your family does not understand, your struggles.
Maybe try talking to them, and let them know, how you feel, just a tough.
I believe in communication.
Your family needs to be more open minded, then they are, in my opinion.
I hope this helps.
@LisaMeighanMBPsS hi..great thought about depression i got depth knowledge about coping skill in your post great work well done
Some great information here I've struggled with depression since very you child severe depression at that I find when I get badly depressed just pushing my self to take a shower or spend a half hour out of bed gives me a little hope that this depression slump is going to ease. I love the volunteering skill because helping people always makes your heart feel full and you feel alive! Getting motivated working out is great but getting enough push to start doing is sometimes to hard I find my self sometimes writing a list of all the things that have gone wrong following the start of my depression. Slump then I'll write what has been good and what could be worse and sometimes it's amazing other times it don't end up amazing but still feels good to see what's what really just reminding myself it will come to an end even if it last a month there will be the day that you wake up feeling a little better and to me that is the most important thing💕❤️🤟I hope every one has a blessed and if your struggling today or even tomorrow a good day is right around the corner 🙂
@diamondintheROUGH2022 thanks for sharing. Depression is a big challenge. Sometimes I have to have a routine that I work from so when i have down days I do not just fall into a state of isolation.
Hope you have a great day too.
@diamondintheROUGH2022 Thanks for sharing.
I am so glad you help others, when you can.
It is so very rewarding, in my mind.
@LisaMeighanMScMBPsS I love your post.
Very informative.
I have been at 7cups since Dec of 2019.
I started out as a listener and now I am in leadership here.
I love to help out.
When I do it makes me feel good inside and out.
