7 Ways To Transform Depression

Depression Awareness Week

According to WHO, more than 350 million people worldwide suffer from some form of depression and it’s quite sad but not surprising to find out that British workers are the most depressed in Europe.

According to depression expert and resident life coach for NHS Online Health Jayne Morris, common internal pressures among the depressed include a struggle to please others, be successful, achieve and exceed expectations.

While external pressures are often experienced in the form of a personal or professional loss, or a major life change resulting in increased physical, mental or emotional demands.

There is often also a prolonged experience of feeling disconnected and unfulfilled in the workplace or home environment, or a sensation of “living someone else’s life”.

Since it is Depression Awareness Week (15th-19th April), we think it’s time for Brits to claim their happiness back by following Jayne’s tips on how to transform depression into an opportunity for self-discovery and self-growth.

Listen – Allow the wisdom of your body to communicate with you by noticing the physical signs and symptoms it gives you rather than overriding them. Be kind to yourself. It is okay to feel low.

Pause – Give yourself permission to press pause and take time out to rest.

Go Within – Use creative mediums like poetry, art, song, dance and body movement to explore and process your emotions, especially the ones you’ve felt unable to express in the past.

Remove the Mask – Make a list or draw pictures of all the things you pretend to be in your life. What are you putting up with? What are your frustrations? Where do you feel tension? By expressing these it becomes easier to go behind the mask you wear and rediscover who you truly are underneath.

Remember – What were the things you used to love to do as a child? What are the hobbies you long forgot about? Take a walk down memory lane to help you recall and reconnect with your instinctive passions.

Play – Schedule in some play dates with yourself. Take your inner child to the beach, sit on a swing, write a story, ride a bike, sing, dance – have fun being free to reignite your creativity and passions.

New Outlets – Create new opportunities to engage with your true interests, whether it is by joining a local group, watching films, booking an experience or volunteering for an organisation. Find fun ways to fulfil your true passions.

If you think you may be suffering from depression, consult your GP for further advice and information.