According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 350 million people suffer from depression. In 2012 16 million people reported that they had at least one bout of major depression. Everyone gets sad or feels down from time to time, but if your have feelings of sadness or emptiness that don’t go away within a few weeks you might be depressed.
Symptoms of depression include:
- Fatigue or low energy
- Feelings or worthlessness or guilt
- Impaired concentration, indecisiveness
- Insomnia
- Loss of interest in doing things you used to enjoy
- Lack of motivation
- Recurring thoughts of suicide and death
- Weight loss or gain
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms please seek help from a professional. Most people hesitate for numerous reasons, but people who get help often wish they had done so earlier.
Below are some tips for those dealing with depression:
Follow a Healthy Sleep Schedule
Sleep deprivation can trigger or make your depression worse. Set a regular sleep schedule and try to stick to it as much as possible.
Exercise Regularly
Exercise releases chemicals that help ease depression and it also helps take your mind off worries.
Educate Yourself
Take control by educating yourself and finding resources that may be helpful to you.
Leave Work at the Workplace
If possible, find ways to separate your work and life, this can help lower stress and also make you more productive when you are back in the office.
Talk with Friends
Depression isn’t contagious, but a healthy mood is. Confide in those you trust.
Watch for Nutrition
Making poor food choices and skipping meals can help contribute to depression.
Seek Treatment
Many people are afraid to ask for help, but once they do they often wish they had done so sooner.
Leave Work at the Workplace
Depression waxes and wanes, find ways to remind yourself that things will eventually get better with time.
Note: WE ARE NOT PHYSICIANS, we do not claim to be. ALWAYS seek the advice of a physician FIRST AND FOREMOST