You Are Never Alone

          This is going to be a more serious post that is supposed to shed light on how sometimes we may feel like we are going through something alone, however that isn't or that doesn't have to be the case. Like I've mentioned in a post previously, support groups with other like-minded people can really help diminish the feeling of isolation. Isolation isn't a feeling that should be felt when there are so many understanding people out there that just might not know your story. I decided to look further into how support groups can benefit those that are struggling with a personal situation or inner conflict and I got some really useful information.
    
     The crippling effects of depression are really difficult to deal with alone, since it can manifest within someone and it only makes what seems like easy day to day tasks extremely difficult. However, no matter how many websites I have gone on for more information on how this can be helped, the answer is always that you should open up to someone you can trust about the way you are feeling. You really don't stand alone, and there are probably a lot of people in your life that do care about you but you just may not see it that way. But I assure you it is so much easier to let someone in your life and emotional state than it is to completely isolate yourself. This will only create a large burden that you don't deserve to deal with.
     

The Feeling of Depression

      Some people stray away from people with depression, because they simply don't understand it themselves. Today I will be explaining what it's like to live with depression. I found a quote from an article titled "What It’s Like Inside a Depressed Person’s Head" and it describes life with depression as "What was challenging feels overwhelming; what was sad feels unbearable; what felt joyful feels pleasureless." I know this to be true for many, since I've personally known someone suffer from depression themselves. It was really difficult for them to cope with what seemed like just ordinary daily tasks, however the growing numbness that they felt just began to overpower the things that were once important to them. They were unable to feel things like they once did and they weren't sure why they couldn't be happy anymore, but no matter what good things life had to offer they weren't experiencing them the same. Which is why it's important to try and support the people you know in your life through whatever they might be going through! It's not going to be easy, in fact the person may just act like they want to be left alone and push you away, but that's only a cry for help. If you know someone, or think someone you know is going through depression, then it is beat to find a way to get them professional help. Whether it's setting up an appointment with a counselor or a therapist, it can help that person feel less alone in their situation. People with depression often feel like they are burdening others with their problems, which is why it is sometimes difficult to talk to others about how they are feeling.

     I found a really good slam poem on what it feels like having depression and explaining it to your mom. It's incredibly powerful and moving and beautifully relates to this topic and what it's like living with depression and the difficulties in trying to explain it:

-https://youtu.be/aqu4ezLQEUA

I also found a really helpful blog/ forum that explains what it's like for those that deal with depression as well:

-http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/inside-head-depressed-person-0110134




I felt like this picture really resembles what it is like to live with depression and experience it alone. My next blog post will go into further explanation on how to deal with those feelings and seek help.

Goals Aren't Everything

     Goals, goals, goals! Most people, at one point in their life, set a goal for themselves to reach or strive for, but they don't always work out. Falling short and not reaching a goal can actually end up making some people feel disappointed when the standards they set for themselves aren't met. That is why today's post is not so much about setting unattainable goals for yourself, but rather a change in lifestyle. Here are some ways in which that can be achieved:
-Exercise
Exercise is very important for the body so that you can stay healthy and fit. Likewise, it can actually also help your mental health! If your body is feeling good after a work out, you are more likely to feel more healthy and positive, which helps many people with depression that need a way to channel it through something.
-Support Groups

Joining a support group has many benefits, because it allows you to surround yourself with people that have like minds that can also help you with what you're going through. It can be difficult going through something alone, but with a support group there will always be people there for you, that could be going through something similar. It's a great way to make companions and get advice on things you might not feel you can share with others, such as coworkers or acquaintances for example.

- Seek a Change

The only way to truly change the way you're living life is to go about it with an open mind. Seeking the change only allows it to happen more naturally. Some people want to change the way they live their life, but don't know where to start or feel overwhelmed, so they never pursue the idea. However, if you find the determination to make the change happen that you want to see, then that is just what will happen. It's a bit cliché, but the saying "if there's a will, there's a way" is very true and applicable to this topic. So don't shy away from your aspirations, and don't let other people's judgments get to you. If you would like top change your lifestyle, then go for it!

 

Krans, Brian. "Lifestyle Changes." Healthline. Healthline, 10 Dec. 2013. Web. 13 May 2016.< http://www.healthline.com/health/depression/lifestyle-changes-overview>.

"Making Lifestyle Canges That Last." American Psychological Association. American Psychological Association, n.d. Web. 13 May 2016.< http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/lifestyle-changes.aspx>.

Goals Aren't Everything!

     Goals, goals, goals! Most people, at one point in their life, set a goal for themselves to reach or strive for, but they don't always work out. Falling short and not reaching a goal can actually end up making some people feel disappointed when the standards they set for themselves aren't met. That is why today's post is not so much about setting unattainable goals for yourself, but rather a change in lifestyle. Here are some ways in which that can be achieved:







-Exercise


Exercise is very important for the body so that you can stay healthy and fit. Likewise, it can actually also help your mental health! If your body is feeling good after a work out, you are more likely to feel more healthy and positive, which helps many people with depression that need a way to channel it through something.


-Support Groups


Joining a support group has many benefits, because it allows you to surround yourself with people that have like minds that can also help you with what you're going through. It can be difficult going through something alone, but with a support group there will always be people there for you, that could be going through something similar. It's a great way to make companions and get advice on things you might not feel you can share with others, such as coworkers or acquaintances for example.

- Seek a Change

The only way to truly change the way you're living life is to go about it with an open mind. Seeking the change only allows it to happen more naturally. Some people want to change the way they live their life, but don't know where to start or feel overwhelmed, so they never pursue the idea. However, if you find the determination to make the change happen that you want to see, then that is just what will happen. It's a bit cliché, but the saying "if there's a will, there's a way" is very true and applicable to this topic. So don't shy away from your aspirations, and don't let other people's judgments get to you. If you would like top change your lifestyle, then go for it!

 

 

 

Krans, Brian. "Lifestyle Changes." Healthline. Healthline, 10 Dec. 2013. Web. 10 May 2016. <http://www.healthline.com/health/depression/lifestyle-changes-overview>.

"Making Lifestyle Canges That Last." American Psychological Association. American Psychological Association, n.d. Web. 10 May 2016. <http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/lifestyle-changes.aspx>.

Put Stress to the Test

     Have you ever wondered why some people are able to handle stressful situations better than others? The truth is that everyone is faced with stressful situations, but it's how they are handled that determines how well the person can deal with them. For some people, stressful situations can be coped with things that will only make the overall problem worse. Procrastination, oversleeping, smoking, and using pills or other drugs to relax are just some examples of what should not be done when faced with a difficult situation or task. Today I will be sharing some different methods for coping with stress, so that the problem does not worsen and lead to depression.


     According to the Dana Foundation, depending on the individual, the brain's response to stress differs widely. A person's sensitivity to stress is "determined by variations in the gene encoding the α2b-adrenoreceptor (ADRA2B)" proving that the same stressful situation can have varying outcomes by different people. Stress hormones such as cortisol are generally released from the hypothalamus, leading to irrational thinking and responses. To counteract with those hormones, it is good to exercise, since endorphins are released making the body feel better. Not only is exercising extremely helpful, but listening to music can also help release stress (especially if you can resonate with the lyrics!). Engaging in social activities (unless that actually causes you more stress) can be anther good way of de-stressing, since it allows you to socialize and get along with others. Stress is inevitable, but depending on the individual, there are many different ways of coping with it. Remember, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, so keep doing what you're doing... you can handle the stress!

Does Weather Affect Someone's Mood?

Loewen, Stanley C. "Effects of Weather on Human Emotions." Effects of Weather on Human Emotions. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 May 2016. <http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/15843/1/Effects-of-Weather-on-Human-Emotions.html>.

     Believe it or not, the weather can greatly affect how someone is feeling. Just like one of my previous posts titled "Food For Thought" which explained how your diet can affect your emotions, the weather for some people does almost the same thing! I find it very interesting that those factors have a bearing on someone's emotions and overall mood. So what is it about the weather that can change or impact someone's mood?
 
     On sunny days, have you noticed yourself feeling more happy? This might be because sunlight triggers chemical reactions in the brain that make us more alert and happy. Light prevents melatonin production (the sleepy hormone) which ends up making us feel more awake and alert which gives us more energy. This explains why some people feel more happy and energized on days when it is sunny.
 
     Feelings of sadness can obviously come from many different factors and situation, however when considering the weather, the rain has a large impact on your emotions. Have you ever felt a bit gloomy on a rainy day that just seemed so dismal? Well if you answered yes, it isn't uncommon to feel that way. According to Health Guidance, the rain makes daily tasks more difficult to do, which is what ultimately results in the sad mood. Things just seem to not go your way on rainy days, right? At the same time, some people just don't like the rain and it's as simple as that.

     After researching how the weather affects moods and emotions, I really began to appreciate California's  weather (although it gets a little too hot sometimes). It's almost always sunny with clear skies which explains why so many people want to move here! I'm hoping that from today's post, you may consider the fact that you could be having an off-day just because of the weather, so don't feel bad for it because many people experience the same feelings.

Loewen, Stanley C. "Effects of Weather on Human Emotions." Effects of Weather on Human Emotions. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 May 2016. <http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/15843/1/Effects-of-Weather-on-Human-Emotions.html>.

Depression: The Warning Signs

     Sometimes it's hard to tell whether someone we know is going through a difficult time or if they have depression, because the signs aren't always obvious. That is why today I decided that it would be good to talk about the common signs of depression that are displayed in both males and females. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one common sign of depression is the loss of interest in activities that once was important to the individual. This is often because the feeling of hopelessness overpowers the need for enjoyable activities. Changes in appetite and weight are another possible sign of depression, because it indicates that the person's health is no longer a priority. In fact, eating disorders are a form of self-harm that some individuals unfortunately suffer from when experiencing chronic depression. Not only does depression take a major toll on one's mental health, but it can actually cause persistent physical symptoms to the rest of the body. Constant headaches, stomach aches, difficulty breathing, indigestion, and fatigue are just some examples of what comes with depression. All these physical symptoms are very real and do affect the individual suffering from depression.
 
     If someone you know is showing signs or symptoms of depression, it is important to not allow yourself to be a bystander. Observing what someone is going through from a distance or just wondering whether or not they are okay does not make any difference whatsoever, if it is never acted upon. If someone you know may have depression, it never hurts to be up front with your questions, because it's likely that they need help in their current situation. Simply starting a conversation about how they feel can allow for the individual to finally open up to someone that really cares about their well being and overall health. So if you are concerned about someone's mental health, please at least start a conversation.
 


National Mental Health Association Hotline
800-273-TALK (8255)
Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week


"Depression Symptoms and Warning Signs." Depression Symptoms & Warning Signs: How to Recognize Depression Symptoms and Get Effective Help. Help Guide, n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2016. <http://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/depression-signs-and-symptoms.htm>.