6 Signs You’re Healing From Depression

Depression can seem like a bottomless pit sometimes. It feels like you are always sinking and rarely rising. However, there is always hope for a better tomorrow. There are several things that people who are starting to heal from their depression practice and understand to help their mental state. These are things anyone can practice to help alleviate their depression.

It may be difficult to tell if you are starting to heal or if you are just in a better spot than you were a little while ago. Are you unsure of whether or not you may be healing from depression? Here are some signs to look for.

Disclaimer: This is not saying that all types of depression can be “cured”. These are just things that may help lessen depression symptoms at the very least.

1. You are aware of your triggers

Though depression may sometimes come up out of nowhere, there are times when something in particular ramps up your depression. A trigger could be anything that sparks negative emotions. Examples could be your family, toxic friends, unhealthy environments, or stresses in your day-to-day life. Knowing what your triggers are, you can more easily try to avoid those triggers and avoid your depression from become worse.

2. You treat yourself with compassion

Think of the golden rule in reverse, you treat yourself the way you would want others to treat you. You treat yourself like you would treat a friend going through your situation instead of putting yourself down constantly. Though it can be difficult for people with depression to be kind towards themselves, it is a step in the right direction. It lifts you up bit by bit instead of dragging you back down.

3. You challenge your irrational thoughts

People with depression usually have a low self-esteem and have irrational thoughts regarding themselves and how other people see them. Challenging those thoughts are one way to fight back. When an irrational thought comes up, think about all of the ways that the thought is incorrect. It may be difficult at first, but the outcome of practicing it is worth it.

4. You are putting yourself first

Though to some people with depression putting your needs in front of someone else’s is considered selfish, it is necessary. There is a common saying that promotes this which goes, “put your oxygen mask on first,” which compares oxygen masks on a plane to your needs. You can only help others if you are stable. Though, it isn’t good to make everything about you, make sure to take care of your basic needs first.

5. You are letting go of perfectionism

People with depression usually criticize themselves heavily, so it is not surprising that most depressed people are also perfectionistic. The truth is that perfection does not exist and there is no way to achieve it, no matter how hard we try. Convincing yourself that that is the case is hard, but it can make things less stressful. Just do the best that you can, and move on to the next thing.

6. You are taking care of yourself

Depression brings your energy level down. Some days all you want to do is lay in your bed. Following what your depression wants you to do only brings you closer towards it. Even when you feel tired, do some daily activities. Go eat, take a shower, hang out with friends, and get a good nights rest. These will all help with pulling you out of your depressive state little by little.

It is difficult to try and work against your depression, but in the end, it is worth it. Practice these things and hopefully you will see yourself improving over time. If you are already doing these things, keep up the good work! We wish you all well in your endeavors to better yourself!

References:

Herndon, Jaime. “Can You Cure Depression?” Healthline, 4 Apr. 2018, www.healthline.com/health/can-you-cure-depression.

realdepressionproject. “Signs You’re Healing From Depression.”* Instagram, 18 Jan. 2021, https://www.instagram.com/p/CKNANROhjZ9/.