Over the past two months, we looked at the warning signs and risk factors, of depression. This month we look at how you can prevent becoming depressed.
Regardless of your risk, depression is not inevitable. As is the case with many illnesses that plague us in the 21st century, you can take action to reduce your likelihood of becoming depressed.
An alarming percentage of people who suffer from depression are never diagnosed, are diagnosed incorrectly, or never seek help. You have already started down the right path by reading this series of articles. You are more likely to seek help if symptoms of depression appear, and you are more likely to receive the kind of help that you need…two big steps in the right direction.
Understanding your risk
It is important to understand your risk of depression. If you recognize yourself in Knowing Your Risk, it is especially important to learn as much as you can about staying healthy and reducing your risk of depression.
Understand your stress
Chronic, unchecked stress, regardless of the cause, inevitably contributes to depression. It is vital that you understand stress and its warning signs, which, not surprisingly, have a lot in common with the warning signs of depression.
Once you understand stress and its impacts, you can take action to manage and reduce its presence in your life.
Understand your thoughts
How we think can have an enormous impact on whether or not we become depressed. Perfectionists, over-achievers and the shy and oversensitive are especially at risk.
It is vital that you understand how your thinking may add to the stress in your life. Be aware of the expectations and pressures that you impose upon yourself.
Understand the times
It can be very overwhelming to live in today’s world. The pace of life seems only to speed up as we run from one commitment to another – work, home, children, spouses, parents, grandparents, grandchildren…
All the while, we are besieged by phone calls, e-mails, text messages and every other imaginable type of communication that requires our IMMEDIATE attention.
When we aren’t taking care of – or communicating with – someone else, we are bombarded with endless news and information from around the world. Hitting us 24 hours a day – from our radios, televisions, computers, telephones and other personal devices – the news is rarely good. Unlike in the good old days, we now have up-to-the-minute access to the mostly awful things that are happening all around the world and hear endless feed about how our planet is well on its way to disaster.
Despite how overwhelming living in 2008 can seem, there is hope. Our lives don’t have to be crazy. There are things we can do to make our own world a little more manageable. Prepare for stressful times. Embrace your sense of humour. Incorporate balance. Connect with nature. In short, take care of yourself.
Kristin writes for Community Living Kawartha Lakes. For more of her articles, visit the Community Living website at www.communitylivingkl.ca. Please read her disclaimer.
