Activities to Improve Mental Health and avoid Depression

Depression has been acknowledged as a part of our society that affects thousands of human lives and it may ultimately cause dangerous mental health problems. The long-term depression has a bad effect not only on our mind but also on our body. So, we must adapt healthy activities and strategies to cope with depression and anxieties.

In our current society we experience pressure, financial issues, family problems, overwhelming responsibilities, crippling anxiety and overthinking which causes mental stress in our daily life. It is a part of our modern society and we are not alone, we can do something about it. Let us explore the different methods to handle and combat the strain of the mental burden that we encounter in our life. “Don’t stress the could haves, if it should have, it would have.”

In January 2021, 23% of the adults in the US reported more stress than the previous month. Stress can play a role in the increasing cases of depression. One way to alleviate stress is by practicing meditation, learn more about the scientific evidence of meditation.

Depression is a high risk to our mental health as it is the body’s response to dangerous situations. Increased heart rate and heightening of your senses are the results of the ‘fight-or-flight’ response of your body that ultimately causes an increase in oxygen and blood supply to your body. Moreover, your body also releases stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol.

“Give your stress wings and let it fly away” ~Terri Guillemets

If you are looking for ways to beat depression, consider the following hobbies.

Hobbies to Relieve Depression

Listening to music:

Listening to music for a short period can help you relieve stress and anxiety. Research has shown that listening to music can even decrease the risk of heart attack and reduces pain in patients undergoing heart surgeries. Listening soft music while meditating can also make improve focus and provide relaxation.

Dancing:

Dancing has been approved as a great stress reducer. The human brain finds the dancing rhythms very appealing. Dancing creates a bond between people and this connection relieves depression. Dancing also boosts your mind and body while burning calories.

Starting a collection: Collecting what makes you happy such as coins, old cameras, antique plates, paintings, rare books are examples of hobbies you can try to relieve stress. Collecting expensive antiques is not important. Collect what makes you excited and the items that you are taking home with you.

Gardening:

Nowadays, many people are inclined towards gardening. Plant any of your favorite plants and as you see their progress and growth, you will feel a sense of pride. Gardening not only reduces stress; it also improves mood and a study in the UK has shown its ability to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Spend time with family and friends:

Spend time with the people you love and who love you too. Go out with them. Social support from friends and family can help you during stressful and depressing times. The bond that you get from your love ones is so precious its irreplaceable. Being part of a social network gives you a sense of self-worth. “Sometimes having coffee with your best friend, is all the therapy you need”. If your loved ones or friends are not available, make a new one — you’ll be surprised how many people need a friend right now. Vennhaven is also here for your comfort.

Cooking and baking:

The more time you spend cooking and baking in the kitchen, the more your senses are engaged which in turn activates memories. This helps us to feel relieved and relaxed. When cooking we are not only doing an activity, we are experiencing the moment and reliving the memories. Cooking and baking are one of the best stress relief activities which also boost your mood. When you are stressed, eat chocolates or sweets, because stressed spelled backwards is desserts.

Learning something new:

Learn some new language or skill, start with the basics. In a few months or years, you will become proficient. Learning new skills gives us something to do and helps us grow our network. This will give you self-confidence and at the end of the day, you will find yourself with a healthy and sound brain.

Activities to relieve Depression

Meditation:

Meditation is the best technique to reduce depression. Invest some time in meditation and you’ll see mind-blowing results. It is one of the quickest ways to relieve depression. Regular practice of meditation has been proven to reduce stress and anxiety. It helps people become mindful and provide control over their own mind. We tend to over think when we are overwhelmed, meditation aides control of our mind. Vennhaven is a meditation and mental health blog, if you are a beginner to meditation click this link to learn more. Here is an article which provides the scientific evidence that meditation has in our mental health.

Exercise:

Do some walking, running, yoga. It assists in releasing endorphins, which are natural stress relievers and is also produced by our body to relieve pain. When we begin to exercise, it signals our body to release happy hormones such as endorphins. Mental health does not only affect our mind, it also affects us physically. Exercise boosts confidence and has been proven to reduce the risk of developing mental illness. Exercise also helps in treating different conditions such as anxiety and depression.

Sleep:

Study in Harvard Health publishing indicated that sleep deprivation affects our psychological state and mental health. 50% to 80% of patients was affected with chronic sleep problems in a typical psychiatric practice. Sleep is very important; it plays an important role in our body and mind. Sleep is involved in our healing process. Proper sleep plays a critical role in maintaining brain health, it enables better thinking, learning and memory. When we sleep, we start our healing process combating negative thoughts. People who take adequate and proper sleep are less likely to develop anxiety and depression. If you are suffering from insomnia read this article to help you understand more.

Lavender:

Drinking lavender tea and the aroma of lavender is one the best natural home remedy to reduce depression. You can spray some lavender around you or simply keep some lavender oil near your nose. Lavender is usually used in aromatherapy to make us relax and feel calm. Since ancient times, lavender has been used to treat mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and insomnia. Lavender is also recommended for sleep aid and a better night’s rest.

Write it down:

What is making you feel anxious? Write it down! Write all the problems and be your psychiatrist. Express yourself and release your emotions. Ascertain yourself that you are stronger than anyone else in this world. We are our worst critic but we can also be our own best friend.

Laugh for no reason:

Laughing therapy or laughing yoga uses prolonged voluntary laughter. It is based on the belief that voluntary laughter provides the same benefits with spontaneous laughter with respect to physiological and psychological benefits. Laughing releases stress-relieving hormones. If you laugh more, you’ll have very little chances to develop depression. As they say laughter is the best medicine.

Breathing exercises:

Take a long breath inside, hold for a few seconds and exhale. Practice the different types of breathing exercise. While doing this, keep your all attention towards breathing. Similarly, you can also try some other breathing exercises. Breathing is the core of meditation.

THE FINAL WORDS

We are so busy in our daily lives that we hardly have time for ourselves. Little stresses and tensions become so large that it affects our life if neglected. So, we must help our self and take control. We have the control over our lives, don’t ever doubt yourself.

And remember: “The greatest weapon against depression, is the ability to choose one thought over the other”. ~William James