There are a lot of things that could make us a little happier throughout the day.
Whether it’s catching up with old friends on social media or surfing through the latest cat videos, the little things can make things a whole lot brighter.
For someone suffering from depression, it can be difficult to find the inspiration to take part in the things that make you happy.
It can be even harder if you get yourself caught up in the little things that encourage negativity. Here are five things that you shouldn’t do when you’re fighting off depression.
1. Don’t use social media to compare yourself.
If you log onto Facebook, it might look like everyone is out having a blast. You witness everyone’s family vacations, their latest party and all of their accomplishments. Keep in mind that no one is out posting about their boring days. They are only going to highlight the high points for the internet. It isn’t an accurate portrayal of anyone’s life. Comparing yourself can be one of the worst activities you take part in.
2. Don’t discuss politics.
There are a few key topics that can break a conversation. Political views are often deeply set. People are passionate about their belief system and often political fights can become very heated very fast. What you think might be a simple debate can easily turn into hurt feelings and angry arguments. If you’re not feeling well, this is the worst topic to get into. There’s no better way to prolong feeling depressed.
3. Never read comment sections.
Whether it’s YouTube or a news article, the comment section is often full of people negativity. This is where the worst in people sometimes come out. If you’re already feeling upset, you are only going to make yourself more vulnerable. The best thing to do is to keep yourself positive and steer clear of any sort of comment section.
4. Avoid violent entertainment and media.
Even if you aren’t particularly sensitive to violent television normally, if you’re feeling anxious or depressed, it can be difficult to stomach. You want to find yourself more uplifting programming to watch. The same goes for horror movies or violent video games. If you’re feeling upset, this form of entertainment can add to the situation.
5. Don’t compare yourself to celebrities.
Comparing yourself to anyone when you’re feeling depressed is a bad idea. In fact, spending your time making comparisons between you and someone else is never a positive or enlightening hobby. When it comes to celebrities, we are often thrown into the midst of beautiful, photoshopped images and glamorous lifestyles that seem unattainable.
While magazines can be incredibly deceptive, it doesn’t make it easier to handle when you’re already feeling down. Avoid comparisons with people at all costs, especially celebrities.
Depression can be difficult to fight. Even at your best, you don’t want to burden yourself with too much negativity.
There is a lot of drama in the world, especially when it comes to social media platforms. To be caught up in all of that can be emotionally exhausting for anyone. When you happen to be feeling down, it can be even more difficult not to be knocked down by all of that negativity. Don’t waste your time on the things that upset you.
Don’t dwell in comment sections or in arguments that could be avoided.
There are a lot of really great ways to spend your time. By no means do you have to take part in anything that makes you uncomfortable or emotionally vulnerable.
At the end of the day, trust your instincts. If it doesn’t make you happy, maybe you should look into something different.
