Today, October 10, is National Mental Health Awareness Day. While many news outlets are recognizing it, it feels like no one dares to say the word depression. As if the 10 letter and 3 three syllable word is a menace to our world.
For the people suffering depression, I refuse be the person that denies how you feel. I refuse to tell you that you create the problems in your own head, or that there are people in the world who are dying and suffering something far more painful.
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I will say one thing, no one can understand the pain that you are going through. Just because you are not physically hurt, does not mean you are not hurting on the inside. Be brave enough to understand that you do not have to go through it alone even if that is what it feels like. The following is a list of 5 things that got me out of my depression:
1. Stop Isolating Yourself. For some reason when you are depressed you think that no one wants to hang out so you isolate yourself. Stop that, you are not damaged. You are just hurting. Push yourself to go out and get your mind off of things. You'll be surprised to see how down people are to hang out if you just ask.
2. Talk About It. I was once given the advice to be vocal, because once I said it and let whatever was bothering me out into the world, then it would bother me less. I quickly realized that the more I said things, the less I thought about them. The more I heard myself say what was bothering me, the smaller the problems felt.
3. Laughter. Nothing feels as good as laughing. Even if you feel like you have no one to make you laugh, you can always google funny meme's or watch funny videos on Vine. Lil Terrio's "Ooo Killem" never failed to make me crack a smile when I was down.
4. Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone. Sometimes, a routine can make us get depressed. Whether you having been doing something for months or years, it can become repetitive and make you feel like your life has no purpose. Get uncomfortable once in a while. Nothing makes you feel alive the way trying something that scares the hell out of you does.
5. Fitness. Develop a consistent fitness routine that keeps your body moving. Exercise is proven to reduce stress and increase energy. Not only will you feel great about yourself, but your health (inner and outer) will begin to thank you!
Remember, no one can ever understand how you feel. If you ever feel like you can't take it anymore and need someone to talk to, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
