depression helpline freephone 0800 111 757

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Giving yourself the time and space to clear your thoughts can be a great way to deal with stress in your life. Stress is a response to events or situations and normally it goes away again, but if you are depressed as well,  the stress can become overwhelming.

what you can do

Depression changes the way you think and also makes it harder for you to deal with those problem and events that come along every day. So while you are getting through depression it’s a good idea to minimise the stress you need to deal with. Here are some tactics to help;

postpone major life changes

If you are feeling stressed or anxious, it’s probably not a good time to move house or change jobs. Major changes are best made when you are feeling better.

resolve personal conflicts

Difficulties in relationships can contribute to depression. You may need to get help from a friend or counsellor to work out a solution.

do the things you enjoy

Plan some regular time for activities you usually enjoy. You might find it takes a while for the positive feelings to return, so it is important to keep doing the activities regularly.

control your workload

Working long hours and taking on major work-related responsibilities can take over your life and contribute to depression. Make sure you have enough time to do the things you enjoy, and if necessary make changes to your work habits.

learn to relax

Physical activity can help relieve the tension in your muscles and take your mind off things. Yoga and  meditation can help you deal with anxiety. A great way to start is to learn the muscle relaxation or breathing exercise technique.



what others can do

If someone approaches you to discuss any of these subjects, make an effort to hear them out. These are often difficult issues to discuss, even when we are feeling good. It’s important to understand that depression is just an illness and accommodating their requests might only be temporary.
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