Effective Coping Techniques to Use When You Are Feeling Down

Engage In Mindfulness And Meditation

With stress and depression, one of the most common therapeutic techniques is to engage in mindfulness and meditation. Taking time to relax is just as important for health as being active. Many individuals are so focused on productivity that they neglect to relax the way their body needs. Mindfulness is the concept of being fully present in a moment. It's a good technique to practice for both relaxation and emotional regulation. With mindfulness, individuals become aware of their body, where they are, what their senses are observing, and what they're feeling.

Rather than being distracted by their thoughts, individuals focus on details outside themselves and engage with the world. Meditation tends to incorporate mindfulness techniques with calm breathing exercises and, sometimes, relaxing stretches. When individuals meditate, they should take ten to twenty minutes of their day to focus on their body and mind. It's a way of getting in touch with oneself and becoming more self-aware.

Turn To A Professional For Help

If an individual has engaged in lifestyle changes including sleep hygiene, healthy eating, time with friends, time doing activities they enjoy, and meditation, and yet these feelings seem to persist, the next step is to turn to a professional for help. When feelings of sadness, stress, and anxiety persist despite there being no known external cause, they may be a sign of a chemical imbalance in the brain. Emotional regulation and healthy moods are the products of neurotransmitters.

If certain neurotransmitter levels are too high or too low, it can lead to mood disorders that don't seem to go away. Talking to a professional is the first step to getting on the right track to improvement. Individuals can start with booking an appointment with their primary doctor, who can refer them to the appropriate medical professional, typically a psychiatrist or therapist. Many mood disorders can be treated and managed with a combination of medication and therapy.