7 Life Changing Ways To Deal With Depression In College
Originally published at lmt-lss.com on December 20, 2015.
Help yourself recover from college-life depression.
Depression is a common emotional stimulus people experience in their lives. However, it’s especially upsetting when it strikes kids in their college years.
The series of life changes that occur during the college days often triggers depression. Dealing with the demands of college life, the kids experience stress, a feeling of hopelessness, a lack of self-confidence, and suicidal tendencies.
During this time, instead of worrying about your condition, you can kick start your recovery process with the help of these steps:
1. Prioritize your work. Take time out every day for planning exactly how you’ll spend your entire day. Focus on the most important work first so that you’re not overloaded with work later in the day. Planning helps you be largely in control of what you have to do in the day and whether you can do it all.
2. Eat well. As a young college-goer, you probably prefer eating junk food. But these kinds of foods gradually decreases the energy levels in your body and make you feel stressed. This eventually leads to depression. To avoid this cycle, you need to follow a rich diet that includes fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
3. Spend alone time every day. Spending some time in solitude every day, even if for 10–15 minutes, will help you get over college stress and depression. Being by yourself without any kind of distraction will help you replenish your energy levels by allowing you to clear your mind, focus on the purpose of your life and take charge of your future.
4. Get enough sleep. Depression, stress, lack of sleep are closely connected. Therefore, to avoid triggering the feeling of stress and depression, one needs to keep an eye on their sleep schedules. One needs to get plenty of sleep and avoid staying awake until late night for completing their college assignments and projects.
5. Try relaxation methods. Take time out to do things that not only interest you but also refresh your mind. Take part in sports, theater and other extra-curricular activities in college to stay distracted from your condition.You can also try meditation, long walks, exercise and yoga to revitalize your mind.
6. Be yourself. Always remember, every person has their own journey in life. Don’t feel sad by comparing yourself to someone else. Learn to accept failures, as they’re the stairway to success. Be yourself and be happy to congratulate your friends on their success, rather than being jealous and isolating yourself from others.
7. Seek assistance from other people. The most important thing you can do to combat your depression is never give up. If you’re not able to work on your recovery, don’t hesitate to seek assistance from any adult member of the family, a friend or a professional. Sharing your fears, feelings and emotions with someone will help you get over this tumultuous phase.
