HOW TO DEAL WITH DEPRESSION WHILE IN COLLEGE
It may seem like an understatement to say that we are indeed living in stressful times. The truth of the matter is that life is getting difficult. The prevalence of various deadly diseases and the rising cost of making a living are causing many to feel hopeless. Divorce and homelessness abound. These problems including neglect lead some people into depression.
WHAT IS DEPRESSION
Depression is defined as a persistent feeling of sadness and listlessness lasting more than two weeks. College students are more susceptible to depression due to factors such as stress, work overload, sleep deprivation, financial problems, and the constant tediousness of everyday life. Self-awareness is the most important step in managing depression. It is always beneficial to reorder your life once you start to feel yourself slipping away.
GET PROFESSIONAL HELP
Do not be afraid to ask for help if you feel like you need it. Seek out your college therapist or guidance counselor. Treatment of depression is most effective the earlier it’s started. Medication, talk therapy, and a combination of both can work as treatment modalities.
GET ENOUGH SLEEP
With the myriad of deadlines always hanging on college students’ heads, they often have to pull all-nighters. But sleep deprivation can have drastic consequences on your overall health. Not getting enough sleep reduces your creativity, and productivity and decreases your quality of life. Typically, young adults need about seven or nine hours of sleep every day.
GOOD NUTRITION
If you eat well, you feel well. Eating a healthy diet has very beneficial effects on your general health. But college students often do not have the time to shop for, prep, and cook healthy meals. However, eating healthy does not mean preparing elaborate recipes. Rather, adding fruits and salads to your diet can work wonders. Apples and almonds can be used as snacks as a replacement for junk food. Nutrition also involves keeping your body well-hydrated. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, at regular intervals.
PRACTICE MINDFULNESS AND MEANINGFUL EXERCISES
Mindfulness means being present in the moment and conscious of your surroundings. While it sounds easy enough, it can be very hard, especially for overworked college students. With countless assignments due, various quizzes and tests, and keeping up with friends it becomes very hard to focus on what you are doing and not stress about something else. This constant overworking of the brain can lead to a feeling of listlessness. There are various ways of practicing mindfulness like simple breathing exercises and talking it out with a professional therapist.
Physical exercises can also be a good way to reduce stress. Sometimes all you may need is just to take a good walk with a friend. Playing some kind of sport can also be very helpful in dealing with stress. Just find a mature way to get your mind out from the things that stress you out. However, avoid using drugs or alcohol as a means to reduce stress as these can lead to addiction and make your situation worst.
REDUCE SCREEN TIME/ SPEND MORE TIME IN NATURE
Being chronically online can be very detrimental to our health. Research studies have shown that spending time in nature, like walking among trees or hiking up a mountain, can significantly reduce depression. This therapy, called ecotherapy, calms your hyperactive and always-working mind, reduces stress levels, and boosts the immune system and overall general feeling of well-being.
AVOID ALCOHOL AND DRUGS
While certain social circles might make it seem cool to get abuse drugs and excessive intake of alcohol, one should always be mindful of their effects on the body. These substances might provide temporary relief for struggling students but the crash when their high subsides always affects the body drastically. Seeking them out for temporary relief constantly might lead to addiction problems. So it is best to avoid them at all costs.
STRENGTHEN EMOTIONAL CONNECTIONS WITH A SUPPORT SYSTEM
Friends, family, and partners can provide a lot of help in the management of stress. Strengthening connections with them and letting them help you when you feel low can stop the sequelae of depression from progressing further. Depression causes a person to feel isolated and disconnected from others. Connecting with your emotional support system, either for a brunch or even a long-distance video call can eliminate those feelings and reenergize you.
REDUCE STRESS
The school environment offers multiple opportunities for you to flourish in your academic as well as your social life. But always remember to take on only what you comfortably can. Remember that college is an individual learning experience to better yourself and work towards achieving your dreams. It is not a competition with the world. Keeping this in mind will reduce your stress levels and enhance the quality of your work.
These tips may help you live your college experience to the fullest. But always remember that this article is not intended to replace the advice you get from your medical professional or therapists. Always try to seek help from a qualified medical doctor or a trained psychologist if you feel overwhelmed by stress.