How to Break Depressive Behaviors

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 9.5 percent of the population suffers from a depressive illness in any given one-year period. Depression is a serious problem that affects a person's body, mood and thought process; if you find yourself engaging in depressive behaviors, it is important to get yourself into a different mindset.

Instructions

• 1

  Talk to people. Depression promotes isolation, both because talking with other people requires energy and because you may feel as though you are a burden to the people around you. Talk to friends, family members, clergy or other people who you trust. Simply sharing the fact that you are depressed can be a relief (and the first step in deciding what kind of help you need).

• 2

  Identify triggers. While it may seem that depressive feelings strike out of the blue, there may be a trigger involved. It may involve thinking about a certain thing or talking to a certain person. Think about your depressive behaviors and when they seem to start. Finding a trigger is an important part of getting away from depressive behaviors.

• 3

  Get active. Depressive behaviors can become habit forming, so break the habit with something different. If you feel a depressive period coming on, start exercising or simply go for a walk outside of the house.

• 4

  Go outside. A lack of sunlight can contribute to a worsening of your depression. Take walks outside during your lunch break, sit in parks on your day off and enjoy the fresh air as well.

• 5

  Set small goals. Overcoming depressive behaviors may seem like an overwhelming task, but like any large endeavor, it helps to set small goals. Small goals allow you to track your progress and recognize how far you have come.

• 6

  Eat well. Depression can alter your eating habits, and eating healthy foods on a set schedule allows you to keep your body healthy. Keeping your blood sugar stable also helps regularize your moods.

• 7

  Sleep on a regular schedule. One symptom of depression is a disrupted sleep cycle. People with depression tend to have issues falling asleep and may wake up much earlier than they intended to. Getting to bed at a regular time gives your body one more prompt that it should be falling asleep.