Depression and Anxiety: 6 Ways to Combat Them 

Depression stands out as one of the most common mental health issues that affect many people today. It is usually accompanied by anxiety and results in a huge loss of interest in things that generally matter to the person. Depression and anxiety make the victim question their purpose of existence, ultimately resulting in a sense of great sadness and general displeasure about life.  

Many things might be responsible for depression-like medications, alcohol, drugs, illness, health issues, and family history. People cope with depression through excessive reliance on drugs and alcohol, isolating themselves, substance abuse, sleeping too much, avoidance, worrying, etc.  

However, these approaches are not sustainable as they do not address the real issue. Instead, they compound the problem or even prevent the victim from facing it.  

This piece will explore several effective ways one can combat anxiety and depression. 

Stay Connected With Friends and Family 

Depression makes victims isolate themselves such that they lose interest in connecting with friends and families. However, spending time in a social setting is good as it prevents you from fixating on thoughts that fuel depression and anxiety.  

Isolation fuels depression and anxiety since it provides the ideal platform to feed it. There is a high tendency of capitalizing on depressive thoughts, which will not help matters.  

Make an effort to connect with people. Get on the phone and call a family or friend, and don’t ditch the opportunity for an evening at the party or movie theater with your friends.  

Try CBD  

You can also engage in natural substances to deal with depression and anxiety. CBD is a derivative of the cannabis Sativa plant and features properties that make it incredibly beneficial to users. 

People have used CBD for various health benefits, including stress relief. When ingested, CBD dampens the response to stress, which protects one against chronic anxiety. According to some studies, CBD can counter autonomic arousal – the nervous system’s response linked to stress, like a sudden increase in heart rate.  

Not only that, CBD can react with the endocannabinoid system of the body. This regulates mood, sleep, immune system, appetite, and other body functions. You can take CBD in CBD oil, CBD vape, CBD gummies UK, CBD pills, etc.  

Spend Time with Animals  

Unknown to many people, animals have a way of lifting the mood and curbing anxiety. Humans are social animals meant to live in packs, and pets can offer such companionship in many ways. Research suggests that pets, especially cats and dogs, can relieve people with mental health issues, especially anxiety.  

You will not be depressed when your dog stares at you with its big blue cute eyes and wags its tail, jumping around as you enter. Not only that, playing with the pet, like stroking their hair and rubbing the furs, can be soothing.  

This explains why some animals are used in assisted therapy to improve patients’ recovery rates and help veterans with PTSD and other mental health effects. 

Engage Visualization 

There is a link between the mind and the body. This explains why the body will respond to any stimuli it perceives the same way it will react to a real one. For instance, you might be anxious from thinking there is turbulence on your flight which will cause you to hyperventilate or even pass out. 

Since such perceived stimuli can influence the body, one can also trigger relaxation via imagination. Just get comfortable, close your eyes and imagine something that relaxes you. It needs to be very detailed as the effectiveness is in the details.  

It is a sunny day with gentle water, and various people enjoy nature. Imagine yourself on a canoe paddling with your best friend on the gentle stream. You have your glass of wine handy and soft, relaxing music playing underneath.   

During the process, you will have to deal with unwanted thoughts. Let them dissipate and enjoy the scene. This can calm your nerves, provide relaxation and lift you out of the depressive state.  

Exercise 

Working out is not only meant to build muscles and lose weight. It triggers the release of endorphins which lifts the mood and makes you happy. In addition, the stress from working out pressurizes the body, triggering mental calmness. Exercise can also improve your mood such that anxiety and depression will disappear.  

When you work out well, your ability to cope with anxiety and depression improves. Also, working out helps counter cortisol – the notorious stress hormone that fuels anxiety. It also improves sleep, making it a terrific option for people whose depression gives them insomnia. 

Consider Meditation 

Many times, depression occurs because people are carried away. Their mind is bewildered by various thoughts of what can go wrong, which fuels anxiety and depression. 

Meditation seeks to bring people to the moment with the overall aim of calming the mind. When you focus on your breath or a particular mantra, it can override anxiety. This is why people focus on the breath, the rising and falling of their stomachs during meditation.  

You can meditate in various ways, like walking, during yoga, and via a recording, known as guided meditation.  

Conclusion 
 

You need not resort to unhealthy means to free yourself from depression and anxiety. These six helpful tips can go a long way in ensuring you live life to the fullest. Rather than resorting to unhealthy means, consider these tips to help fight anxiety and depression