When you first get into college, you are thrust into a totally new environment, surrounded by and living with people who you do not know and packed with responsibilities that you are not accustomed to.
This can lead to depression for many students.
While it may be understandable, it certainly does not have to be this way.
Here are some tips on how to deal with depression in the college environment
Structure Your Day
Attempting to get through the day with no plan can lead to your depression worsening.
Have a set time that you wake up and go to bed. Have a scheduled time that you study, eat, and other activities.
This will give you control of your life and will be helpful in improving your confidence.
Talk with People
Feeling like you have nobody to talk to has been linked with anxiety and depression.
If there are things you feel you cannot discuss with friends or family, contact the telehealth clinic on campus and ask to speak with a therapist.
They can recommend behavioral changes and a licensed doctor may be able to prescribe medication, depending on the type and severity of depression.
Sleep
It cannot be overstated how important sleep is to your body, both physical and psychological.
If you are constantly fatigued, you are setting up your brain to stop producing certain chemicals which ward off depression.
Make sure you are getting an appropriate amount of sleep. This means not oversleeping as well.
Lying in bed all day long is just as bad for you as staying up all night.
Enjoy Yourself
This might be easier said than done if you are feeling depressed, but try and do things that you enjoy, not necessarily what others enjoy.
If you want to sit under a tree and read a book, feel free.
If you want to be a social butterfly, that is ok too. You have to keep in mind what makes you happy.
Learn How to Relax
People might tell you to try and relax, but until you learn how to relax, it will be difficult to achieve.
Some tried and true relaxation techniques include deep breathing, aromatherapy, and exercise.
All will lead to overall reduced stress levels and increased endorphin production.
Embrace Alone Time
Don’t fear simply wanting to be alone.
There is a huge difference between being antisocial because you are depressed and simply wanting to go for a walk by yourself to ponder things, to relax on the sofa with a good book, or to turn up the music and decompress.
You Are What You Eat
If you are depressed and binge on junk food devoid of any nutrition, you are only compounding the problem.
Healthy food can lead to a healthy body and this includes the mind.
Focus on eating fresh produce as well as lean meats and fatty fish.
Talk with a doctor to see if vitamin supplements would be an appropriate addition to your diet.
If you go to school in a city that has limited amounts of sunlight, ask if you need to add Vitamin D to your regimen.