Feeling Depressed ? Here are some simple remedies !

Background:

During my regular interaction with students, I found that they used the term “depression” fairly causally. So, I asked many of them to explain what the term actually means to them. Broadly, for them, feeling sad or low means being in acute depression. The reasons cited were fairly common, like career, relationship setback, loss of a loved one, non-fulfilment of dreams, worry about the future etc.

No, I will not tell you what depression is. I respect your views.

I understand your feelings and emotions and what you are going through. Here are some extremely simple remedies I want to offer to you which I could find after intense reading and then gaining insights about their proven positive effects.

 So, here we go !

 Remedies:

 When you feel depressed or low in energy, just follow some of the following simple steps; you will feel good:

• Recent research has proven that exercise is a great remedy to pull yourself out of depression, because when you exercise, chemicals like endorphin and dopamine are released, which are mood enhancers and leave you feeling good.
• You may listen to music of your choice (avoid sad songs; even if you find that they match your situation and circumstances !) Try listening to some new songs or classics like those of Kishore Kumar, which are all time favourites, are full of life and appreciated by all generations!
• You may try going for a long walk (of course, after the lockdown ends when it becomes safe to venture out!) and be one with nature. Try listening to the sound of the wind, the chirping of birds and try to visualize the images that clouds form. Trust me, after some time you will simply forget all your pain and you will gain some fresh perspectives about yourself, your life and the world.
• If you have pets, spend some quality time with them. They love us unconditionally. They just need our time and attention. Once you sit with them, talk to them, play with them, they make you feel heavenly.
• You may also consider dancing. It has great medicinal value too. Research has proven that it has an innate capability to lower your depression levels.
• You may draw some paintings, sketches or write down your thoughts.
• Try reading some motivational books.
• Opt for Zumba or Yoga. While both Yoga or Zumba will keep you in shape, they will also help in enhancing your mood
• Spending time with friends and family, either at home or through social media can work wonders.
• Sometimes it is good to take a step back, evaluate your own situation as an outsider and try having a fresh, broader perspective. 
• All you need to do is concentrate on the positives rather than those disturbing negative thoughts which force you to drown in depression.
• And the last approach is to forgive and forget. It may happen that someone did something wrong to you, with or without your knowledge. It is also possible that you helped someone, did good to that person and received the opposite in return. You are not the only one, trust me. This is a regular phenomenon and keeps happening. The trick behind it is to learn a lesson from it and move on rather than thinking too much or brooding over the past. Just take it as an opportunity to learn. Life is long and full of all kinds of people. There is a mix of good and not so good people around. You need to be mature and understand the difference between the two. You also don’t have to believe what the others say. Try having your own first-hand experience and take decisions accordingly. You will be more at peace!

To sum-up !

 Try having some control over your thoughts dear students. It doesn't matter if you are a student of one of the best B-Schools, or Engineering College, graduating students or any other student studying in any class, anyone can go through those difficult times or moments; it's normal, it's  natural and it's just okay ! However, at those taxing times, try practicing any of the above recommended remedies. It's good to avoid medicines or being on medication. Life is simple, we unnecessarily complicate it. Let life just happen. Last, everything happens for a reason, accept it ! And everything has its pros and cons, positives as well as negatives. Let us take an extreme example of COVID-19. While the world is fighting the pandemic, it has brought with it some positives too! See, mother nature is healing, the Ozone layer healed to a great extent, people have started realising the value of money and spending accordingly, people are understanding the value and importance of family and staying together;  birds and animals are getting their due, mother nature belongs to them, as well, rivers are getting cleaner and cleaner, the pollution level has come down drastically bringing respite to our lungs and health. The list is long……… !

 I want to conclude with a very simple, crisp message for all of you, “sometimes we need to simply change our perspective! Happiness doesn’t have to come from anywhere, it’s very much within US; find it!”

 Stay Happy, Stay Positive !