Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders in the U.S. This condition can make it challenging to do almost anything and it might feel downright impossible to overcome your condition. You might not know where to start when you start recognizing the symptoms of depression and how they are impacting your life. But there are effective steps you can take to overcome your depression in Denver.
Don’t allow depression to take over your life! With the right support, you can mitigate your symptoms and lead a better quality lifestyle. Today we’ll dive into a handful of the best ways to kick depression to the curb.
What is Depression?
While everyone goes through “seasons of sadness,” human beings spend their lives on a continuum. Throughout any given day, our moods can fluctuate between feelings of happiness and sadness. That said, depression is much more than feeling sad from time to time.
Depression is a serious medical illness that negatively affects how you think, feel, and act. People who struggle with depression often experience symptoms such as:
- Persistent feelings of sadness
- Loss of interest in daily activities
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory lapses
- Fatigue
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and helplessness
- Pessimism and hopelessness
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Changes in eating habits and unintended weight loss or weight gain
In severe cases of depression, symptoms may even lead to self-destructive thoughts or attempts. If you or a loved one is having suicidal thoughts, please call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
Top Tips for Beating Depression in Denver
Like other mental health conditions, depression can come in and out of your life at different times depending on a variety of circumstances. When you begin to feel a depressive episode coming on, there are a few steps you can take to try and overcome your condition.
Go Outside and Explore
Spending time in nature has been shown to help reduce symptoms of depression. It’s a natural way to ground yourself, meditate, and reconnect with the world and yourself.
“Proximity to green space has been associated with lower levels of stress and a reduction of symptoms for depression and anxiety… Interacting with nature can improve cognition for children with attention deficits and individuals with depression” (Mental Health Colorado).
Spend Time With Loved Ones
When you are feeling depressed, it might feel instinctual to isolate yourself away from your friends and family. However, being distant from your loved ones can further deepen your depression and create more stress in your life. It’s a good idea to fight that instinct and find time to reconnect with your loved ones.
Spending time with the people in your life can actually improve your mood. As the saying goes, “laughter is the greatest medicine.”
Get Active
Exercise is an all-natural treatment for depression (Health.Harvard.edu). Physical activity stimulates the release of endorphins in the brain, which are the body’s version of all-natural antidepressants. Doing even simple movements, such as walking or stretching, can do wonders for your mental health.
Seek Professional Counseling
Sometimes just talking through your problems can significantly boost your mood. In many cases, a psychotherapist can offer lifestyle solutions that can change how you feel.
In therapy, you’ll meet with a licensed and trained mental health professional on a routine basis. They’ll work closely with you to help constructively change the thought patterns, behaviors, and habits that may be contributing to your depression.
Get Neurofeedback Therapy
In many cases, the best way to address depression is to treat the problem right at the source. That’s exactly what neurofeedback aims to do.
Neurofeedback is a type of brain-based training that works to improve your cognitive functions. Through operant conditioning, this therapy can help you develop more positive thought behaviors and better brainwave patterns for a consistently better mood. Over time, this therapy will help you better understand your triggers and create effective coping strategies for your needs.
Book a Consultation to Treat Your Depression in Denver
If you’ve had enough of your mood disorder, we can lend a helping hand. At Braincode Centers, we can help alleviate your mental struggles with a custom neurofeedback treatment plan.
Our brain training specialists have extensive experience treating all types of mental health disorders. After completing a qEEG brain map, we’ll create a personalized treatment approach for you that will integrate neurofeedback with our types of mental health care, like counseling. With our treatment team at your side, you’ll gain a high level of care to support and treat your mood disorder.
Contact Braincode Centers today to schedule your consultation and learn more about our approach to treat depression in Denver.
