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How to Battle Depression During COVID Pandemic

How to Battle Depression During COVID Pandemic

Depression is the bane of 21st century

People usually downplay the significance of mental issues that can be caused by different factors. This statement is especially applicable to one of the most common problems – depression. The majority of people think that depression is about being sad and other stuff that is viewed as “overblown emotions,” but the situation is different!

This mental health issue is affecting the lives of millions of people around the world and can lead to severe mental and physical problems. Our modern world is filled with information and news – this creates considerable pressure on peoples’ minds. That is why depression is such a widespread phenomenon. Information oversaturation that’s coupled with a constant inflow of bad news can break anyone.

COVID-19 doesn’t seem to stop

2020 has been and 2021 continues to be a challenging year for people around the world due to the novel COVID-19 pandemic. Everyone knows about it – a virus that led to the worldwide lockdowns and limited social interactions. This pandemic put its toll on every aspect of social life there is as schools are closed, it’s impossible to gather in large groups, and so on.

That is why it is important to know some important things. How to cope with depression during the COVID-19 pandemic? What are the best methods to stay sane in this insane world? This guide will help you out in these trying times.

Symptoms of depression

People often confuse bad mood with depression. So, what are the symptoms of depression for real? The answer is not that simple – there are lots of individual factors that affect each and every case. However, some common features can be easily spotted and it’s important to keep note of them. If you experience those, action is imperative!

Psychological symptoms

The list of possible psychological states that point at depressive disorders is huge:

  • Chronic sadness and bad mood;
  • Low self-esteem and constant feeling of guilt;
  • A lack of motivation and interest in things;
  • Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness;
  • Suicidal thoughts.

As it is possible to see, the list of psychological symptoms is terrifying indeed. It is important to understand that depression does not occur immediately like some sort of flu or whatever – it gradually develops and it’s often hard to recognize it. People suffering from condition may brush off the symptoms but this is the least effective solution to question how to cope with depression. Neglecting the issue or ignoring it is a way of coping but it’s one of those unhealthy solutions.

Physical and social symptoms

Not everyone knows but mental conditions such as depression are often accompanied by nasty physical reactions from one’s body. The list includes but is not limited to:

  • A general lack of energy;
  • Loss of libido;
  • Menstrual cycle changes;
  • Issues with sleep;
  • Disrupted appetite and weight.

Quite an impressive list of potential physical reactions to a mental disorder, right? Well, the combination of both psychological and physical issues often leads to problems with social interactions. For example, a depressed individual may begin to avoid contacts with friends and family, give up on hobbies and activities of interest, and create difficulties in personal and work life. Now, knowing what are the symptoms of depression, it is possible to consider this state from the perspective of COVID-19 lockdowns.

The effects of COVID-19

Everything started as a two-week stay-at-home marathon for the majority of world. People were already frustrated and angry back then, almost a year ago! It is possible to just imagine how people feel right now. Anyway, such an extended period of time that is accompanied by the governmental restrictions, limited social interactions, and complete lockdowns has put its toll on the societies around the world.

This sort of situation created an extravagant amount of pressure on everyone – people are denied of social interactions and basic entertainments like going to a restaurant with friends. This led to an expansion of COVID-induced depression among people. With the symptoms and reasons covered, it is now possible to review some of the methods that could be used to fight this dangerous condition.

How to battle this depression?

Avoid total isolation

When it comes to loneliness and isolation, these two feelings considerably fuel depression and lead to other issues. After all, humans are social creatures and there’s no denying the fact that they need some sort of communication. Being connected via any means including basic phone call, online chat, video call, or group meeting is one of the best ways to combat potential depression.

If you are stuck with family members, consider creating some sort of potentially group activity to engage people around you. Family isn’t always something bad and dramatic – it is possible to actually create new bonds through things like tabletop games and similar stuff.

Nutrition plays a role

The rule is simple – falling down to depression usually leads to bad eating choices. Avoiding them is one of the primary objectives of any individual who wants to stay sane during the COVID-19 lockdown. Depression actively affects eating habits and it is important to keep up good habits. This way, you will be able to receive proper nutrition while effectively balancing blood sugar level, which will stabilize your mood!

So, veggies are important. if you’re carnivore, consider focusing on white meat while reducing red meat to the minimum. If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, veggies, tofu, and different vitamin-enriched substitutes are your way to go.

There is a list of foods that help fight depression. First of all, consider your greens intake. Green vegetables are highly nutritious and provide lots of vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for your mental health. If you are a carnivore, white meat such as fish and poultry is also highly recommended for great well-being. as for the vegetarian/vegan variant of the diet, different crops and tofu coupled with vitamin B12 can help out with the depression.

Exercises and movement!

Avoiding depression is a tricky thing but basic stuff such as exercises and movement are highly effective. Actively moving and doing exercises creates an infusion of positive hormones that enhance your mood in a considerable way.

Doing at least some sort of exercises is imperative to fighting COVID-19 depression that is forcing people to self-isolate. Moving actively and keeping up a good tempo creates opportunities for the hormones that are responsible for happiness and fulfillment.

Create your own coping skills

Being depressed is one of the worst things that a modern human being can experience. This state leaves no place for interests and hobbies but it can be changed. Creating your own coping skills is one of the best ways to fight depression during COVID pandemic.

Consider basic things – listening to music, engaging in hobbies and interests, going further to help others in need. All of these considerations can lead to positive behavioral changes. They will promote positive mental health patterns that can be effectively used to fight things such as COVID-induced depression.

Keep your informational field clean

When it comes to information, the situation is quite difficult. The majority of public information sources are biased in one way or another thus pushing their own agenda. That is why keeping your informational field clean is such an important task. There is no lack of misinformation and fake news. That is why knowing how to keep yourself clean is so important.

Final thoughts

COVID-19 pandemic has caused a considerable amount of damage – physical and mental. Lockdowns that have been continuing for almost a year have created a breeding ground for the development of depression among people around the world. While the majority of people are likely to brush this disorder away like some sort of flu, the reality is different.

Depression is one of the banes of 21st century and there’s a reason behind this statement. It can hit virtually any person and there is no true knowledge when it will develop to the fullest. This is one of the main dangers of depression in general.

COVID-19 created perfect conditions for the development of depression disorder among the general population. People are forced to avoid social contact, public places, and other things that create our reality as social beings.

However, there are things that can prevent you from developing depression during the COVID-19 lockdown. This list is especially informative for people who are not engaged in the essential profession markets. Essential or not, being able to cope with the pressure that has been present for almost a year is a great waypoint.

That is why knowing the ways to deal with this “seasonal” depression is so important. it is hard to predict how long this pandemic will continue and how long these lockdowns will endure. Either way, there is a need to develop effective coping mechanisms to combat the reality and maintain common sense. All-in-all, keep up the good mood and try to stay positive – there is not anything much else to say as we do not know what the future holds.

Posted on: Jan 28, 2021Author: Administrator