How can I prevent anxiety and depression from recurring?
If you've had anxiety and depression in the past, how can you prevent anxiety and depression from coming back?
- Know your warning signs
Knowing your body and being aware of how your body is feeling can be an early sign of anxiety and depression.
People often describe a feeling of tension, like a spring when the abdomen is coiled, often accompanied by deep emotional discomfort. Others describe a hollow feeling in the abdomen, which is also accompanied by deep emotional discomfort.
Early consultation with a psychotherapist can be helpful to help with these thoughts and to know when a consultation with a psychiatrist (may be prescribed) is recommended.
- Listen to what people have to say about you
Some people don't realize the early signs of their anxiety and depression, but family members or friends do.
If someone you know asks, "Are you okay?" "You're not looking well." Deep down, find out what's going on.
- View your latest photos
Do you look unusually sad and/or anxious when you look at recent photos? If so, think about how your body would respond.
- Vent strong emotions
If your life is stressful, if you are angry, depressed, sad, or have other strong emotions, talk to a friend, family member, or therapist.
You can also express your feelings safely by writing, drawing, dancing, singing, playing an instrument, or engaging in sports or other activities (read my previous blog on creative ways to express hot anger).
If you don't vent these emotions, you can bottle them up with a lot of energy, which can burn you out and open the door to anxiety and depression.
- Immediately turn negative into positive and avoid a vicious circle.
The longer the pain, the harder it is to get out of the ditch. Everyone experiences stress at some point in their life. The difference is their response to stress. Many people become helpless and lose control of their lives, which can lead to anxiety or depression.
What matters is how you see things. Amid all the negativity and stress, what can you do? Can you learn to dance, sing or play an instrument? Can I start swimming or other sports? Can you learn to meditate? Try to focus on the present moment and appreciate the little things in your life that bring you joy.
- Have a social support system
Choose friends and partners who will listen to you, and vice versa. Choose to be around people with a sense of humor and laugh with them. If you don't like other people, buy a pet.
- Sleep
The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults get 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. It also helps maintain a consistent routine: going to bed and getting up every day.
- Regular physical exercise.
Get outside for at least 30 minutes a day and take a daily walk (or any other type of physical activity).