It is a terrible feeling when life comes crashing down at your feet all at once and you are at a loss of what to do. Indeed, feeling stuck in a place of hopelessness can make things incredibly tough – even simple daily activities can feel like a chore to complete.
Fortunately, no matter how awful things appear, there are certain things you can do to make life a little better when you are hit with feelings of hopelessness or feel depressed.
1. Engage in problem-solving
By definition, hopelessness is the idea that circumstances will not improve or that you will fail. However, there is always something you can do to address an issue or adjust your attitude about it.
Spend some time considering possible solutions to the issue. If you do not have the power to change the situation (such as a loved one’s illness), think about how you can modify how you feel about it.
Even the small act of brainstorming the possible solutions to your problems or attempting to shift your mindset can help you to recognise that there is always hope in every situation.
2. Talk to your loved ones
When you’re looking for a shoulder to cry on or are having a hard time getting unstuck, reaching out to the ones you hold near and dear can be incredibly beneficial. By speaking to your loved ones about your feelings, they will be able to gain insight into what goes through your head and offer their support during your difficult times.
It can be a challenge to open up to others about your struggles, and understandably so. However, it is vital to keep in mind that talking to someone can be the key to giving you a glimmer of optimism in your predicament.
3. Get outside
A simple yet often overlooked self-care activity is getting outside in the sunshine. It is scientifically proven that darkness and sunlight trigger different hormones in the brain and can have a significant impact on one‘s mood. Spending time outside can help you enhance Vitamin D production, decrease blood pressure, get greater quality sleep, and raise your serotonin levels.
While you are outdoors, it can also be beneficial to get your heart pumping with some exercise. According to research, just 15 minutes of moderate exercise each day can considerably reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. This is due to the fact that exercise helps to break down stress chemicals such as cortisol while producing feel-good endorphins. If a run feels too intense, even a short 20-minute walk can do wonders for helping you feel much better!
4. Pen down your thoughts
While it may not be able to completely cure your depression, expressing yourself in the form of journaling can help you to make sense of what goes on in your mind. Especially when the thoughts feel all too consuming, writing them down on paper can help them seem more manageable. Journaling can help put things into perspective and allow you to let it all out.
5. Seek professional help
It is normal to feel down every once in a while. However, if your feelings of hopelessness and depression last for more than two weeks, or if you are concerned about your mental health, it would be best to speak to a professional.
A psychotherapist can help you make sense of the negative thoughts that go on in your head. Through the use of psychotherapy techniques such as eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR), schema therapy, gestalt therapy and more, a certified professional can get to the root of your issues and work to resolve them.
Conclusion
For those looking for depression counselling in Singapore, Emotional Wellness is here for you. We provide therapy services for a range of issues – including depression, anxiety, stress, various types of eating disorders and more.
Our certified psychotherapist has over 18 years of experience under her belt providing professional therapy and youth counselling services in Singapore. In a relaxed setting and with the help of various psychotherapy techniques, we can help you resolve past hurts that are causing you emotional distress so you can regain control.
Book an appointment today and let us help you overcome your feelings of hopelessness.
