Health Organisation (2011) reported India as the most depressed nation. Despite this negative honour, mental health is still highly stigmatised in Indian society. To address this under-emphasised issue, AWAG has undertaken a ‘Mental health project for Women and Adolescents’ since 2008 wherein underprivileged women and children can benefit from free expert counselling.
Nearly every one, at some point of time has been through a dark phase in life; a phase where you feel worthless and a sense of failure engulf you. You are unable to enjoy happiness and have lost complete motivation for life. You feel sad over nothing and it kills to figure out the reason for your sadness. When you try to express this empty feeling to people around you, you are either labelled a ‘drama queen’ or asked to ‘man-up’!
In today’s volatile personal and professional relationships, conscious effort is needed to maintain emotional resilience. Depression affects so many people that it is now called the common cold of mental disorder. Here are 5 low cost ways to deal with depression without medication:
- Agony aunts – When you have things bothering you, which are uncomfortable to discuss with family, turn to your best friend. Talk to a person who is unlikely to judge you and you’ll be surprised to know he/she will go out of their way to help you cope up with it!
- Zen is the word – Studies have found yoga, Tai-chi and qigong to be beneficial in managing depression and relaxing your emptiness. A consistent aerobic exercise program for 4 months is beneficial in combating depression.
- Turn to hobbies – In a fast paced world, we often forget the importance of having a hobby. Activities like painting, reading and sports aid in fighting isolation and obsessive thinking. And ladies, yes, retail therapy included.
- Do something different – if you are a ‘reading- book’ kind of a person, try to join a sports club; if you are a ‘sports person’, try to bake a cake. Trying something new alters the level of dopamine in brain which is the hormone associated with pleasure, enjoyment and learning!
- Pet an animal – Studies have shown that pets have a positive impact on our behaviour. The unconditional love and affection they offer, effect on our endorphins and serotonin thereby relieving stress.
- Solo vacations – Getting away alone could give you time to evaluate yourself about the things you are doing right and wrong. Admiring Mother Nature (country-side) could give you a chance to break from your busy city life and contemplate on life. It can also be a great way to meet new people and analyse their way of life. Not that it will make you forget your trauma, but you will gain the potential to deal with it in a positive way.
- Volunteer – Volunteering for a cause you are passionate about could be one of the ways to distract your mind. Knowing that you have made a positive difference by lending a hand to someone in genuine need could help you feel better about yourself and get a good night’s sleep.
If you would like to volunteer for AWAG, please send us your resume and cover letter to info@awagindia.org.
Having followed some of this and still have a sense of depression most of the time, please do not hesitate to visit a counselling centre. We need to open up about mental health.