-->

How Creativity Can Help Depression

When you are struggling with depression, there are many different treatments and therapies you can try. Additionally, you can find activities that help you manage your depression and overall mental health. Finding ways to be creative can help ease your depression symptoms and find helpful outlets. 

Calm Your Mind 

Many mental health struggles, like depression and anxiety, are accompanied by endless thoughts that can make it difficult to concentrate or even function throughout the day. Being creative is helpful because it gives your mind something to focus on so you are distracted by these thoughts. It can calm your mind and give you some peace. Being creative can also help to reduce your stress levels. When you are creative, your energy is focused on completing one task and it can provide your mind with relief. You can find a creative outlet in many ways including painting, drawing, sewing, pottery, writing, singing, playing music, etc.

Express Your Emotions

Often, it can be difficult to express exactly what you’re dealing with when you experience depression. You may not know how to express your feelings or people might not be able to understand. Creativity is a great way for you to express and process your emotions. Processing any trauma you’ve experienced is an important step in managing your depression. Being creative can give you an outlet to understand your own emotions and work through them. It also helps you find ways to communicate your emotions to other people. As you work through your emotions and find ways to express them, it can help to provide you with much needed relief. 

Boost Your Mood

The act of creating is simply one that makes you happy. When you are creative, you end up with a finished product that you can be proud of. This is a great way to improve your overall mood. Beyond having something to show for in the end, creating can also help you boost your mood in the moment. As you create, you feel happier and you get lost in the moment. You simply enjoy the task you’re doing. It’s important to find tasks that make you happy and allow you to enjoy the moment. 

 

There is no wrong way to be creative. You simply need to go out and find an activity that allows you to make something new. Creativity can be an excellent outlet for you that will allow you process your emotions and create healthy outcomes in your life. 

 

Learn more about depression and potential treatments. 

-->

How to Build a Sense of Community When Struggling with Depression

Having a support system or community is an important aspect of managing your mental health. However, it can be difficult to build this community and you may not always be able to rely on those you have in the past. For your own benefit, you should find ways to build your own community. 

Join a Club or Group

To feel more connected to people, it can be helpful to share a common interest. When you share a common interest, it’s easier to have a discussion and to generally get along with people. There are many ways you can find people who share your interests. Joining a club or other similar group is a place to start. Examples of clubs include a book club or a community sports team. Everyone is there because they are interested in the same activity and you can all participate together. When joining clubs and groups, you can meet lots of new people and forge new friendships.

Take a Class

As you build your community, you might as well also build yourself. Taking a class to learn a new subject or skill is a great place to increase your sense of community because you are learning with other people. You also have the opportunity to help each other learn. You can form study groups or get together outside of class to work on the skills you are learning. You can take classes to receive some sort of certification, such as getting a real estate license, or you can learn a new skill in a cooking class. Find something that interests you and learn something new while getting to know other people in similar situations. 

Volunteer

One of the best ways to feel a sense of community and to simply feel good is by volunteering. When you volunteer you have the opportunity to help other people who are struggling. You feel intrinsically rewarded by helping others. Additionally, volunteering helps you to feel more connected to others. Volunteering allows you to get out of the house and be around other people. If you volunteer for the same things, you are likely to make friends and see familiar faces over time. 

 

Community is important, but sometimes it takes some effort on your part to build that community. There are many steps you can take to help you find your community. You may need to step outside your comfort zone, but it will all be worth it. 

Learn more about how you can manage your depression.

-->

How to Identify Your Anxiety Triggers

If you suffer from anxiety, it’s likely that there are certain things that will trigger your anxiety. This can include things that lead to anxiety attacks or simply make you feel anxious. For your own benefit, it’s helpful to identify these triggers. 

Keep a Journal 

One of the best ways to identify triggers is to look at patterns in your life. Keeping a journal can help you see these patterns. In your journal, you can write about your day overall or you can get more specific. You can talk about things during the day that made you anxious or events that made you uncomfortable. It is helpful to maintain your journal over an extended period of time. This will give you plenty to look back on when you want to identify your triggers. A journal is also helpful so you don’t forget what happens each day. It can be hard to identify patterns and triggers if you don’t remember everything you’ve done and experienced. 

Identify Major Stressors 

Anxiety can often be brought on by major stressors in your life. Typically, these will be fairly obvious but sometimes you may need to think about your life to determine what is affecting you. Examples of major stressors can include moving, separation, death in the family, or any other type of trauma. Your anxiety may also be manifesting if you have a stressful work, school, or home environment or if you experience a great deal of pressure. Take some time to determine what stressors exist in your life. Knowing what causes your anxiety can help you find ways to work around or through your stressors. 

Seek Outside Perspectives 

Sometimes you can’t identify your triggers all on your own. It can be helpful to talk to other people and gain their perspective as well. You can start off by talking to family and friends who know you well. They might have some insight on what they think affects you. Sometimes, the people close to you can observe what makes you anxious when you don’t. In addition to talking to loved ones, you can also talk with a therapist. A therapist is trained to help you work through mental health struggles. They can guide your conversation to help you find what your anxiety triggers may be. 

 

To improve your mental health, you need to understand your condition and how it affects you specifically. Identifying your anxiety triggers is an excellent first step. When you know what triggers your anxiety, you can find ways to work through it and seek out helpful treatments. 

 

As you look for helpful treatments, consider looking into TMS Therapy.

-->

Healthy Habits that Improve Mental Health

Whether you suffer from a mental illness, such as depression or anxiety, or you’re simply working through a low point in your mental health, there are habits you can form to help. Establishing healthy habits is a great approach to try before other treatments or medications or even in tandem with other treatments. These healthy habits will benefit your mental health and your body as a whole. 

Prioritize Quality Sleep

Due to busy schedules and the demands of life, sleep is often the first thing to be sacrificed. However, getting enough sleep and getting high quality sleep can greatly improve your mental health. During sleep, your body processes the day and it recuperates. It is also the time when many important processes in the body take place. Cutting back on sleep reduces all its positive benefits. To improve your mental health, you should make sure you are getting 7-9 hours of sleep each night. You also need to be mindful of the quality of your sleep. To get better sleep, try establishing a nightly routine. This helps signal your body that it’s time to sleep. Exercising during the day and getting exposure to sunlight early on can make it easier for you to fall asleep at night. 

Eat a Balanced Diet 

The foods you eat play a major role in your overall health. Everything you eat provides fuel for your body, so you need to make sure you are giving yourself the right fuel. For the sake of your mental health, you want to eat a balanced diet. This means you should be eating fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, etc. every single day. With a more balanced diet, you can make sure you are getting all the essential nutrients. All the food you eat will contain certain vitamins and minerals that can help your body as a whole, but they can also specifically impact your mental health. 

Make Time for Exercise 

It’s no secret that exercise is good for both your physical and mental health. When you exercise, your brain releases chemicals, called endorphins, that make you feel happy. Additionally, exercise can help you feel more energized and it can boost your body image and make you feel more productive. It’s important that you find ways to make time for exercise. Even 30 minutes a day can make a positive impact on your mental health. You can fit in a walk, incorporate exercise into your daily routine, or do a workout at home. Find ways to make it easy for you to get your body moving every day. 

 

Establishing healthy habits can help you improve your mental health. This can be especially beneficial if you have depression, anxiety, or any other kind of mental illness. These habits can set you on the right track as you explore other treatments. 

 

In addition to these habits, learn more about helpful treatments such as TMS therapy.

-->
Frustrated young lady sitting on sofa, cuddling pillow, looking away at window. Lost in thoughts unhappy stressed millennial woman regretting of wrong decision, spending time alone in living room.
Frustrated young lady sitting on sofa, cuddling pillow, looking away at window. Lost in thoughts unhappy stressed millennial woman regretting of wrong decision, spending time alone in living room.

Disorders Beyond Depression that Benefit from TMS Therapy

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy is often used as a treatment for depression. This noninvasive therapy stimulates the brain cells in order to promote positive changes for depression patients. However, TMS can also be beneficial for other disorders and ailments.  

Anxiety 

One of the other most common disorders that can be treated with TMS therapy is anxiety. Individuals with anxiety may experience an increased heartbeat, rapid breathing, feelings of nervousness, and trembling. In many cases, anxiety is associated with depression. There may be a comorbidity or the anxiety may be a result of depression. TMS therapy can treat depression which in turn eases the anxiety symptoms. However, further research has found that TMS therapy can be beneficial as a treatment for anxiety alone. With anxiety, there is usually an increase in cell activity within the brain. TMS therapy can help decrease this activity so you can feel relief from anxiety. Of course, if you are experiencing depression and anxiety, you can still receive treatment for them together. 

OCD

Obsessive compulsive disorder or OCD is a condition where an individual is highly concerned with order, cleanliness, or control. The symptoms vary from person to person and can impact you throughout life. Much like anxiety, OCD is associated with increased cell activity within the brain. TMS therapy can help to slow this activity and improve symptoms. Much like depression, TMS therapy is recommended to individuals with OCD who have not responded to medication or other treatments. Often, it is used to help those who have not seen any significant improvements through other means. 

PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is often the result of experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Those who have PTSD may experience flashbacks of the event brought on by certain triggers. PTSD can last months to years and it varies between individuals. TMS therapy is helpful because it focuses on the prefrontal cortex in the brain. This is the area where you process fear. By targeting this area, TMS therapy can help ease the symptoms of PTSD. It also works well when paired with cognitive processing therapy. 

 

TMS therapy is sustained therapy aimed at helping you improve your mental health. While it is primarily targeted at treating depression, it can be used to treat other disorders as well. It may be worth your time to see how it may help you.

Discover if TMS is right for you!

-->
Frustrated young lady sitting on sofa, cuddling pillow, looking away at window. Lost in thoughts unhappy stressed millennial woman regretting of wrong decision, spending time alone in living room.
Frustrated young lady sitting on sofa, cuddling pillow, looking away at window. Lost in thoughts unhappy stressed millennial woman regretting of wrong decision, spending time alone in living room.

Natural Ways to Ease Depression Symptoms

If you are experiencing depression, it’s important to find ways to treat your condition or to lessen the burden of your symptoms. While there are many treatments available, you can also ease the symptoms of depression through natural means. The added benefit is these methods will also positively impact your health as a whole.

Get More Sleep 

One issue that goes along with depression is insomnia or simply trouble falling asleep. Unfortunately, a lack of sleep can also be a contributing factor to depression. It may be difficult, but you need to make sure you are getting more sleep and improving your sleep quality. When you sleep, your body repairs itself and processes everything from your day. This time is vital to your immune system and your mental health. In order to improve your sleep, consider creating a nightly routine that will signal your body that it’s time to sleep. Make sure your room is cold, dark, and quiet and avoid using your phone before bed as the blue light stimulates your brain. If you struggle to fall asleep, you may be aided by taking a melatonin supplement.

Make Time to Exercise 

Many people struggle with fitting exercise into their day. However, it’s important to try to fit it in. Exercise is highly beneficial to your mental health for many reasons, but the biggest benefit is the endorphins your body releases during exercise. Endorphins are hormones in your brain that are often known as the “feel good hormone.” When your body releases endorphins, it can relieve pain and make you feel happy. Exercise is also a great way to help improve your body image and self-esteem which also contributes to addressing your depression. Not to mention, exercise benefits your body as a whole and it can help you to function better.

Prioritize a Nutritious Diet 

As people say, you are what you eat. In other words, your diet has a major impact on your body and this extends to your mental health. To alleviate your depressive symptoms, you need to prioritize getting all the necessary nutrients. For example, Vitamin D is a powerful nutrient that helps address symptoms of depression. Vitamin D comes from the sun, but it can also be found in many foods like oily fish, eggs, and fortified dairy products. Your diet should also contain antioxidants, selenium, and Omega-3 fatty acids. 

 

Although depression is a mental condition, your physical health will still have an effect. Taking care of your physical needs can help you ease your depression symptoms while also benefiting your entire body. Making an effort to improve these areas of your health can make a difference. 

 

Taking time to understand depression can help you on your mental health journey!

-->
Young worried woman looking out of the window
Young worried woman looking out of the window

How to Deal with Seasonal Depression

Seasonal depression, or seasonal affective disorder, is a condition where people experience symptoms of depression at the same time every year. Typically, they feel depressed during the winter months when there is less sunlight. There are many unique ways you can manage seasonal depression. 

Light Therapy 

Since seasonal depression is linked to a decrease in sunlight exposure, light therapy is a commonly used treatment. You can purchase a light box that you can sit or work in front of. This box mimics the light from the sun and it is used to help boost your mood and energy levels. Light therapy works best with time and consistency. It can be started in fall when the days are more cloudy and you can continue it until spring. If there are more cloudy days throughout the year, it can also be helpful then. When using light therapy, you need to make sure the light can enter your eyes but don’t stare directly at it. The light will also not be effective just by exposing your skin to the light. 

Increase Vitamin D

Often, individuals with depression also have a deficiency of vitamin D. This essential vitamin is absorbed when exposed to sunlight and has even been called the sunlight vitamin. Without sun exposure, it’s common to have a deficiency of vitamin D. Often, individuals with depression also have a vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D has been shown to help regulate your mood among many other wonderful benefits. If you are suffering from seasonal depression, then getting more vitamin D in your diet can help. Good sources include many fish such as salmon as well as fortified foods like milk and orange juice. Taking a vitamin D supplement is also an option. 

Establish Healthy Habits

Another great way to help manage seasonal depression is to establish a solid routine and some healthy habits. Having a routine/schedule can help you regulate many of the symptoms of seasonal depression. For example, many people struggle with getting to sleep and a schedule can help. Your seasonal depression can also be aided by maintaining a balanced diet and introducing more exercise into your routine. Even just 30 minutes a day can be helpful. 

 

There are many different types of depression including seasonal depression. Learning more about them and how to deal with symptoms can be beneficial. You can pursue a variety of treatment options until you find what works for you. 

 

Take time to learn more about depression.

-->
Pensive african American woman look in distance thinking
Pensive african American woman look in distance thinking

How to Deal with Seasonal Depression

Seasonal depression, or seasonal affective disorder, is a condition where people experience symptoms of depression at the same time every year. Typically, they feel depressed during the winter months when there is less sunlight. There are many unique ways you can manage seasonal depression. 

Light Therapy 

Since seasonal depression is linked to a decrease in sunlight exposure, light therapy is a commonly used treatment. You can purchase a light box that you can sit or work in front of. This box mimics the light from the sun and it is used to help boost your mood and energy levels. Light therapy works best with time and consistency. It can be started in fall when the days are more cloudy and you can continue it until spring. If there are more cloudy days throughout the year, it can also be helpful then. When using light therapy, you need to make sure the light can enter your eyes but don’t stare directly at it. The light will also not be effective just by exposing your skin to the light. 

Increase Vitamin D

Often, individuals with depression also have a deficiency of vitamin D. This essential vitamin is absorbed when exposed to sunlight and has even been called the sunlight vitamin. Without sun exposure, it’s common to have a deficiency of vitamin D. Often, individuals with depression also have a vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D has been shown to help regulate your mood among many other wonderful benefits. If you are suffering from seasonal depression, then getting more vitamin D in your diet can help. Good sources include many fish such as salmon as well as fortified foods like milk and orange juice. Taking a vitamin D supplement is also an option. 

Establish Healthy Habits

Another great way to help manage seasonal depression is to establish a solid routine and some healthy habits. Having a routine/schedule can help you regulate many of the symptoms of seasonal depression. For example, many people struggle with getting to sleep and a schedule can help. Your seasonal depression can also be aided by maintaining a balanced diet and introducing more exercise into your routine. Even just 30 minutes a day can be helpful. 

 

There are many different types of depression including seasonal depression. Learning more about them and how to deal with symptoms can be beneficial. You can pursue a variety of treatment options until you find what works for you. 

 

Take time to learn more about depression.

-->
Portrait of happy indian man smiling at home
Portrait of happy indian man smiling at home

Why Try TMS Therapy

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation therapy, or TMS Therapy, is a treatment commonly used for depression and other related ailments. This therapy uses magnets to stimulate certain areas of the brain in order to treat symptoms of depression. There are many reasons to consider this treatment.

Looking for Non-Invasive, Non-Medication Treatment 

TMS therapy is a positive option because it is non-invasive. You don’t need to undergo surgery or any other kind of procedure. You simply wear a helmet and may experience slight pressure on the stimulation site. It is treated as an outpatient treatment and you can leave immediately after. In many cases, people may prefer to not rely on medication as a treatment for their depression. TMS is a great option in those cases because you don’t need to be taking any medication to prepare, recover, or benefit from TMS therapy.  

Experiencing Negative Side Effects from Antidepressants 

Many people will turn to TMS therapy because they are experiencing negative side effects of antidepressants. Some of these symptoms can include mild discomfort such as dry mouth, dizziness, or fatigue. However, some antidepressants can lead to insomnia, weight gain, nausea, and even anxiety. Turning to TMS therapy is a helpful way to treat your depression without all the side effects you experience from medication. With TMS, you may have minor side effects, such as a headache, but these side effects are mild and temporary. 

Nothing Else is Helping 

Depression really takes a toll on an individual and it can greatly affect their daily life. Seeking treatment is not only helpful, but necessary in most cases. There are many types of treatment available. Commonly, individuals with depression will be put on some type of antidepressant. There are also many types of therapy that patients will use. These therapies will help individuals talk through negative thought patterns, triggers, etc. Although there are many treatments, not every treatment will work for everyone. TMS may be an excellent option for you if nothing else you have tried is working. It can help provide you with the relief you have not been able to find elsewhere.

 

Helping you treat and handle your depression is an important step in caring for your mental health and helping you remove barriers in your daily life. As you look for ways to address your depression, you may want to consider TMS therapy. This therapy can help you overcome your depression and any obstacles that have prevented you from treating it previously. 

 

If you are wondering if TMS is for you, take a self assessment.

-->
Back view of a woman walking in a pink flowered field
Back view of a woman walking in a pink flowered field

Mindfulness and Depression

There are a variety of treatments available for depression. Exploring different options can help you find the best fit. Mindfulness is a practice that many people find helpful and it can be a positive way for you to manage your depression. 

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is a practice that is centered on experiencing the present moment including what your body is sensing and feeling. When you practice mindfulness, you simply acknowledge your thoughts and feelings without reacting to or judging them. Your main goal is to focus on being present. There are many different ways you can practice mindfulness. Commonly, people will practice mindfulness meditation to help them when they are feeling stressed or overwhelmed. It is a way to center yourself and relax. 

Benefits of Mindfulness

You can experience many benefits through practicing mindfulness. One of the most common benefits is a reduction of stress. Mindfulness helps you to learn how to experience the world around you without letting it overwhelm you. You can also use mindfulness to help you increase your focus and awareness of the world around you. The practice of mindfulness is all about approaching yourself with kindness and learning to process thoughts and emotions. Repeated practice can help you to manage your depression symptoms. 

How to Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness can be practiced in many different ways and you can choose to do it in any way that appeals to you. You can practice mindfulness with breathing exercises, eating mindfully, doing yoga, or focusing on a single task. Mindfulness meditation is the most common way to practice. To meditate, sit down in a comfortable position. Sit up tall, but not completely straight. Be aware of everything your body is doing. Keep your gaze focused on a spot on the floor. You can then simply sit and breathe. Try to clear your mind. If a thought does enter your mind, simply acknowledge it without judgement and let it pass. During your meditation, you can also do a body scan and mentally evaluate every part of your body and what you are feeling. Again, mindfulness can be personalized to the individual, so try anything that sounds interesting to you. 

 

Mindfulness is something that everyone is capable of doing. It simply takes practice to incorporate it into your life. As you practice mindfulness, you can help to address the symptoms of depression you may be experiencing. 

Learn more about depression and how to manage it.