Depression, and especially the depression that hits us in mid life, known commonly as “mid life depression” is debilitating and challenging to deal with.
Here is a simple ten point plan that will help to reduce mid life depression and increase positive ways forward:
Mid Life Depression Will Increase With Inertia
Do something active. Pick something you enjoy, gardening, a brisk walk, dancing, exercise, anything as long as your heart rate increases and you are feeling energised. Chase your depression away!
Worrying Creates More Worrying
Worrying feeds into your mid life depression. This becomes a terrible downward spiral. Try to set aside time, perhaps from 6pm till 7pm to think about your worries.Try writing them down to get them out of your head as you go through the day.
Eat well and sleep well
Mid life depression worsens with lack of sleep and bad diet. Early waking and interrupted sleep patterns may make your depression even harder to deal with. When feeling low it’s very easy to neglect the things that will make a positive difference.
Mid Life Depression Increases with Isolation.
Keep you family and friends close to you and try and tell them that you are experiencing a mid life depression. Don’t allow your feelings to isolate you from important means of support.
Feelings Are Transitory
Remember that however bad we feel, these feelings will in time change no matter what. When trapped in a mid life depression, it feels as though we will never be happy again. This is an unhelpful and painful illusion.
Doing Things For Others Makes Us Feel Better
The act of giving without expecting anything in return makes us feel good and combats depression. Find your local charities; children’s homes, hospitals, homeless units and start giving something to people who have less than you. You may find that your mid life depression lifts as you realise just how much you have to give.
Don’t Be Tempted to Drink More
Drowning your sorrows will not work. Alcohol is a depressant and will make your depression worse, especially mid life depression.
Keep It Simple
Anxiety and stress makes mid life depression worse. Life is difficult enough as it is without un-necessary anxieties and stresses. Examine your life style and activities and ruthlessly remove anything that causes you added pressure and contributes to your depression.
Ignorance and Uncertainty Feed Mid Life Depression
Write down any problems or dilemmas which contribute to your mid life depression and ensure you have all the accurate information you need in order to find your solution. Talk to the right people, and ask their advice. Take control back of your life and situation, and notice your mid life depression begin to fade away.
Take Responsibility
Unless you do something about how you feel, your mid life depression will not change. Nobody else can do it for you.
The Life Change People can help you combat mid life depression. Change your life and chase mid life depression away.
Contact us for more information about depression, counseling, therapy and life coaching.
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