Don’t Lose Your Battle Against Depression

Battling depression makes you stronger
The Power You Seek Is Always Within

My Current State : I am in the middle of a battle with depression

As I type this blog post, I find myself fighting back tears and feelings of hopelessness. I am in a battle with depression. My days have begun to look and feel the same. I become sleepier as the hours pass by, until I’m at the point where all I want to do is sleep. The food I eat becomes a temporary past time, the TV shows I watch become bandaids to the big wounds I am trying to heal within.

As I scream louder and louder for help, I realize no one can hear me. Because I’m not screaming outward, I’m screaming inward.

My mother has been in a battle with depression for as long as I can remember. I don’t know if it’s hereditary; I heard that it is. What I do know is that my life has been anything but easy. My impulse is to blame everything around me for causing depression. One thing I know now is that what really counts is how I deal with the symptoms when I am in depression. Life happens to everyone. I just need a tough helmet and a will to overcome my depression.

We’re all Life Travelers and we’re in this sh*t together

I’m not a special case here, and I know I’m not alone on this path through life. As I travel down this curvy and unpredictable road, I see a lot of people traveling next to me, going through just as much as I do on a daily basis. But, can we beat this together ?

I have dealt with depression for so long, but I have never taken medication for it. I refuse to put chemicals into my body if I can approach it naturally. I’ve been exploring ways to recognize depression immediately. I’ve also been working on ways to cope with it so the symptoms can subside, and I can continue with my life.

I’m not a doctor, I don’t claim to know everything. But, I can tell you that I believe my experiences can help someone out there. Read on for some of my personal tips to battle depression. 

How to become aware of your depression quickly

  • Check in with yourself every day. I ask myself everyday how I’m feeling. I ask myself if there’s a pressing matter that is draining my energy. If there is, I deal with it as quickly as possible, and then I practice letting go of my thoughts so as not to dwell or obsess over it. Constantly thinking of your issues without giving yourself a mental break can trigger depression in some people.
  • Stay on top of what you’re eating and how much of it you’re eating. Eating can easily become an issue if you’re not aware of how you’re using food during tough moments in your life. Are you overeating? Are you indulging in foods you know you shouldn’t be having? Have you eaten at all? Depending on the person, depression triggers a lack of hunger or a tendency to overeat. Some foods can cause you to feel sluggish, which can make your mood worse if you’re currently experiencing depression.
  • Check to see how you’re treating the people around you. Check your patience level. If you’re constantly snapping at your significant other, at your friends, or your co-workers, then something is wrong. If you’re getting irritated about everything, or if you stop caring about the things you normally care about, then it’s time for a self-check. The key is to always ask yourself what is going on. The more aware you are of your mental wellness, the faster you can catch your depression when it kicks in. I tend to angrily lash out at the people closest to me when I’m in a depression. They try to comfort me, but I’ll sometimes insist that they can’t understand me. Doing this can really make you spiral down further into depression.

Ways to battle depression

  • Stay active. Exercise really does help you battle depression effectively. It forces your mind to wake up and focus on something that will ultimately help you release negative energy. My current choices of exercise are either yoga or swimming.
  • Be kind to someone when you’re feeling down. Anytime you feel like you’re in a state of depression, ask someone else how they’re doing. Give someone else words of encouragement if they need it. Getting the chance to listen to someone else’s story can help put your current issues in perspective. It can also boost your spirits if you’re able to be a light for someone in need. This is the perfect way to help you battle depression in a loving way.
  • Practice self-care. Have a favorite spa you like to visit? Maybe a nice lunch downtown, or a trip to the nail salon can help you boost your energy. Maybe, if you’re more of the DIY type, having a moment where you give yourself a good foot soak, an epsom salt bath, applying a face mask, or cooking a dish you’ve been wanting to try can help you remember to be kind and loving to yourself. Do not beat yourself up about anything. It’s never necessary. We all have issues, and with the right mindset, there’s always a solution to every problem. Depression is known to make you feel like you need to be unkind to yourself. You can achieve so much more with kindness.

Find What Works For You

I hope you can find something in here that’ll help you battle depression. There’s so much more, but I wanted to share some of the more important tips that have helped me battle depression throughout the years. I hate talking about my depression, but another one of my healing tools has been this blog. Writing about what is happening to me and how I’m coping with the different issues I face has helped me a lot. I have been slowly figuring out what it is I really want in life. I gain clarity when I write all of this down. It’s also a good alternative to me talking about it when I don’t want to air out my dirty laundry to my friends or family. If you like to write, you might want to give this a try as well. 

If you have any other tips that help you battle depression, please share them in the comments below. I’d love to read what you do to cope.

And if you want additional encouragement or support, don’t be afraid to send me a message here or on any of my social media accounts. We’re in this together.

Sending you all lots of love and good vibes,

LadyX

P.S. – I write letters to myself when I am trying to break free from a bad habit. Read my letter to my petty side here. 

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Comments

  1. Jordan

    I really appreciate how open and honest you are in this post. I like that you suggest being kind to someone else. I think that this can definitely help to bring perspective. I personally also force myself to be around other people when things are really getting to me. It helps me not to focus on what is “wrong” and see the good.

    1. LadyX

      Hi Jordan, I’m glad you enjoyed the post. I agree that being around others can help one not focus on everything that isn’t going right. It’s so easy to fall into the negativity hole.

  2. Nikkea

    I love your post. I think self awareness and acceptance are very important and can stop certain actions, such as a drug dependence or self-harm.

    1. LadyX

      I’m so glad you liked it! I agree! The sooner you become aware of what’s happening, the sooner you can lift yourself out of the hole.

  3. Leialoha

    I love how open and real you are with depression. I reached a point that I was very low too, and I love the suggestions you’ve listed here. It’s so important to take time for yourself. Creativity has really helped me with my mental health, and getting outdoors (which is difficult to do when it’s winter). Thanks for your post, loved it. Keep on keepin on, you got this!

    Much love,
    Leialoha

    1. LadyX

      Thanks Leialoha! And what an awesome name you have ! I’m so glad you enjoyed the post! I work hard everyday to be aware of how I’m feeling so I can stay on top of this! I’m glad you’ve turned to creativity, to deal with your depression. I too am a creative individual, and I love to express through performance art.

  4. Amber Dunn

    Love this! I’m sorry you are dealing with depression. I am currently dealing with Post Partum Depression. Definitely keeping track of what I eat and when (I tend to not eat when depressed) and purposefully being kind to someone.

    1. LadyX

      Hey Amber! I’m sorry you’re experiencing post partum depression. But I’m glad you’re aware of it so you can take the necessary steps to cope in a healthy way. Awareness really is very important.

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