Depression can be the loneliest place in the world. We fear that nobody understands what we are going through and that nobody will be supportive – and that it will never get better. No matter how dark it may feel, you are not alone. Roughly 21 million Americans have had a least one major depressive episode in their life, according to the National Institute of Health. That is equivalent to eight in ten of all American adults! The prevalence was higher among women, at 10.5%, compared to men, at 6.2%. If you suffer from depression, and it’s affecting your work, here are five tips that can help you heal.
Depression Tip 1: Recognize Depression Symptoms
The most important step in dealing with depression at work is understanding when it’s a factor. It’s essential to identify the symptoms of depression, so you can start to get care and heal. For example, you might experience fatigue or a lack of energy, difficulty concentrating, and missing deadlines. Finding the motivation to start a project or continue your workday can also be difficult.
Don’t deny the way you’re feeling and don’t blame yourself. These are all signs of depression, and if you are struggling with them, you might need to speak to a health professional about treatment for depression.
Depression Tip 2: Acknowledge Your Feelings
Another big step in healing your body, mind, spirit, and family from depression is to acknowledge how you feel. When you experience depression, it is important to realize and recognize your feelings. That way, they don’t consume every thought or make your feelings worse.
Even just by acknowledging how we feel, we can start to heal.
Depression Tip 3: Schedule Short Breaks
Another way to deal with depression is to schedule short breaks in your work day. This could be a moment to get up from your desk and take a walk. It could be heading outside to get fresh air. It could be talking to a coworker briefly about non-work topics. Maybe even try cuddling with your dog! No matter what you do, taking a break to recharge will allow you to come back fresh to work. The break can stop any spiraling thought patterns, too.
At Longbranch, we embrace the value of wellness in healing. Our internal studies have shown that clients in our residential treatment program see their depression drop several points due to a program of yoga therapy, walks, and more. If you have the ability, incorporating these into your day might help.
Depression Tip 4: Plan Time Way From Work
If short breaks don’t work, you may want to try a longer stretch away from work. Your leave could be a short vacation or a long-term medical leave, but prioritizing healing over work often can help us heal.
Remember, it is important to have a work-life balance. Looking forward to a fun activity at the end of the day can give us the strength to get through the day. Planning a vacation can also give you something productive to do away from the office. Both can help relieve workplace stress and help us cope with our depression while on the job.
For many, though, a break from routine often causes the spiral to get worse. If you feel like you’re slipping into despair, it may be time to get help.
Depression Tip 5: Get the Mental Health Treatment You Need
The best way to heal your body, mind, spirit, and family for the long-term is to get help. There are numerous treatment options available to help you deal with depression – and not all of them require you to take time off work. Reach out to our staff at Longbranch Recovery today to talk about your condition. They can help you understand various treatment options and start healing from the roots today.
