5 Ways to Fight Anxiety & Depression

Anxiety and Depression are both widespread problems in our society and something I have experience with.  My work as a Massage Therapist and Wellness Coach has been therapeutic for me and allows me to share my journey to help others. To be honest,  it is still sometimes a struggle to get the motivation to do things especially when it comes to working. However, once I do get going, it fuels my passion for helping others, which is what I thrive on.

My Mental Health Story

If you have read some of my earlier posts, I shared that I have Anxiety. To be exact, I have what is called Generalized Anxiety Disorder which goes hand in hand with Depression also. I have had it at least half of my life and I didn’t do anything about it for a long time for a few reasons. One is that I didn’t even know I had mental health issues.

All along, I thought I was just a more sensitive, introverted person who couldn’t handle too much stress at once, had obsessive thoughts, and felt sad at times.  Once I realized what was going on, I felt ashamed and embarrassed to admit it. For a few years, I tried anti-depressants and anxiety meds and they did help but I never really felt my best on them.

Discovering alternative methods for treating anxiety and depression has been extremely helpful for me. With a lot of trial and error, I found that a mix of traditional medicine and holistic supplementation works best for me along with living a healthier lifestyle.

I would like to share some of the things that continue to help me battle both anxiety and depression. These work for me but I understand that some people do need to be on some kind of prescription medication. I would never recommend someone going off medication but would only suggest other adjunctive methods to assist in the fight.

My 5 Top Ways to Fight Anxiety & Depression

1. Reach Out for Help

Battling the fight alone is never an option. You simply can’t do it on your own so my first tip is to ASK FOR HELP from a trusted loved one, friend, or mental health professional.  Having seen my share of therapists, I learned a lot about myself what triggers me, and also how to cope with my emotions. I admit way back that I used alcohol and smoking to relieve my stress and although it seemed to help at the time it didn’t and just caused more health issues.

Sometimes just talking to someone and sharing your struggles will help lift you out of a funk. One phone call can do the trick for a friend who gets it and lovingly supports you.

2. Feed Your Spirit

Another extremely helpful practice in this battle for me is to consistently feed my SPIRITUAL life so I pray and read positive devotionals daily like Jesus Calling.  Filling up on positive messages helps tremendously when I am feeling low. My favorite uplifting preacher to watch is Joyce Meyer. She is funny and real and her messages always hit home.

Having a spiritual practice may be the most important to me.  I believe in the power of prayer and that God is an anchor and loves me no matter what is going on in my life. It is truly comforting and I honestly don’t know how I would survive in this world without my faith and knowing that I am never alone!

3. Get Enough Sleep

Hands down getting enough REST is another important way to battle anxiety. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body will secrete more stress hormones and this is not good for anyone especially those with mental health issues.

What works for me is getting 8 to 9 hours of sleep each night. I usually need a little extra especially when I am under a lot of stress. For those of us battling with mental health, sleep is high on the list of self-care remedies. Read about some research about sleep and anxiety here.

4. Make Time for Physical Activity

As I have shared before, making time for physical activity is crucial in battle and will boost those happy hormones when feeling blah. It can be as simple as a walk in the park or cleaning your house that can help tame those anxious feelings.

I can’t say enough about how important movement is so find what works for you and try to do something each day. Although I don’t need more evidence that exercise helps me feel better, here’s a good article about how good it is for mental health.

5. Lend a Hand to Others in Need

Lastly and probably my favorite way to battle anxiety is to help others. Hey, I get it… sometimes you just don’t feel like even talking to other people. It is easy to be a hermit and not interact with the world. Getting out of your comfort zone is part of the healing process. I can think of hundreds of times I did not want to go out with friends, and family or even go to work.

After forcing myself to get out, I usually end up having a great time and doing so breaks me out of a dark place. We do need that alone time as long as it doesn’t take over our days and nights. Believe me, it is no coincidence that I have ended up in a helping profession. When I help others in pain or suffering, I get a boost of positivity and it always lifts my spirits tremendously. In addition, focusing on someone else makes me forget about anything I was worried about.

Self-Care Products we all need!

Help is Available!

We can all help people who suffer from mental illness. Please have patience with your loved ones who deal with mental health issues. Our brains are wired differently and it is not our fault when we don’t deal with stress like others. My experience is that the most authentic and loving people are the ones who suffer most and may not even realize it. There’s nothing wrong with you!

If you or someone you know ever feels hopeless and needs help immediately, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention, and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.1-800-273-8255.

You are always stronger than you think. Keep fighting and be a WARRIOR!

xoxo

Jill Ciampi is a Lifestyle Blogger, Licensed Massage Therapist, and Certified Wellness Coach with a passion for helping others manage stress, chronic pain, and anxiety. Learn more about her journey and wellness practice that offers natural solutions to stress at www.AtTheHeartofWellness.com.