Depression can drain your energy, and squash your desire to be active. One good way to ease that loneliness and help manage depression is to reach out to others, forming healthy social connections with those around you. However, you can’t be with other people all the time. So, engaging in healthy solo activities could help fend off feelings of isolation and reinforce your depression treatment. Start with these ideas –
Ease Into Exercise
Exercise can build confidence and help you cope with stress or anxiety. Being physically active prompts the release of brain chemicals such as neurotransmitters and endorphins, which can boost mood and ease depression symptoms. Even taking a short walk outside or riding a stationary bike can restart your engine.
Meditate to a Relaxed State
Research shows that a growing number of people are turning to meditation to help manage depression because it can help interrupt recurring negative thoughts. Even practicing simple meditation techniques could improve a negative mood and reduce stress.
Care for a Pet
Pets provide companionship, helping reduce feelings of loneliness. Taking care of a pet can also give you a sense of purpose and satisfaction.
Cycling
Whether riding to the shops or to work, or going on long bike rides at the weekend, cycling can put you in a better mood and could improve negative mood.
Lose Yourself in a Book
For people who have mild depression, reading a self-help book or other motivational book between therapy sessions can be helpful — and might even accelerate recovery. Your reading material can also be purely pleasurable. Engrossing yourself in a character’s story can help shift your mood and move your thoughts in a new — and better — direction.
Turn Up the Music
Love a good song? Listening to music is another activity that can help ease depression and loneliness. A 2010 review of studies that focused on listening to music found that, indeed, tuning in to your favorite songs can improve depression symptoms. The researchers also noted that over time, music may have a cumulative effect. The more you include it in your life, the more pleasurable it can become.
Even if what you used to enjoy doesn’t seem like fun now, over time these activities in combination with medication and talk therapy could help lift your spirits and improve your mood. If you see any of the indications that someone is depressed, you can suggest these activities to put them in a better mood.