I've been struggling with depression for two years now. It was triggered by a traumatic event I'd rather not discuss here, though I've talked about it elsewhere. I'm trying to be proactive about improving my self-esteem. When I began to sink down I stopped taking care of myself.
So, does anyone have any advice for proactive ways to deal with depression? I'm not interested in antidepressants. I did that as a teenager and I will never take them again. I have nothing against people who do, but I know that personally they are only an option if absolutely nothing else helps.
Some things I'm doing already:
-Taking a SAM-e supplement, but carefully. In the past I've experienced mania while taking it.
-Improving my diet. I gained 20 pounds over the past two years and I was already heavier than I needed to be.
-Going back to my old personal hygiene routine. Makeup most days, doing my hair, taking pride in caring for my nails, shaving my legs every time I shower.
-Looking into assertiveness training.
-Having candid conversations about how I'm feeling with my fiancee, particularly when he does things that make me upset. I used to just stuff everything down.
Some things I'm still struggling with:
-Getting enough sleep. I don't fall asleep easily. I take melatonin when I know I can get a full 8 hours, but that isn't always possible. I would like to ensure a minimum of 7 hours a night.
-Getting enough exercise. I have a bad knee that makes cardio difficult, but in the summer I was walking 2 miles a day and doing yoga.
Does anyone have any other suggestions? I'm willing to try pretty much anything that doesn't require health insurance, as I am still temporarily uninsured.
So, does anyone have any advice for proactive ways to deal with depression? I'm not interested in antidepressants. I did that as a teenager and I will never take them again. I have nothing against people who do, but I know that personally they are only an option if absolutely nothing else helps.
Some things I'm doing already:
-Taking a SAM-e supplement, but carefully. In the past I've experienced mania while taking it.
-Improving my diet. I gained 20 pounds over the past two years and I was already heavier than I needed to be.
-Going back to my old personal hygiene routine. Makeup most days, doing my hair, taking pride in caring for my nails, shaving my legs every time I shower.
-Looking into assertiveness training.
-Having candid conversations about how I'm feeling with my fiancee, particularly when he does things that make me upset. I used to just stuff everything down.
Some things I'm still struggling with:
-Getting enough sleep. I don't fall asleep easily. I take melatonin when I know I can get a full 8 hours, but that isn't always possible. I would like to ensure a minimum of 7 hours a night.
-Getting enough exercise. I have a bad knee that makes cardio difficult, but in the summer I was walking 2 miles a day and doing yoga.
Does anyone have any other suggestions? I'm willing to try pretty much anything that doesn't require health insurance, as I am still temporarily uninsured.
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