Cheryl A. Major is a volunteer contributor to WestfordCAT News. Follow her and all our news by subscribing here to our free newsletter.
When it comes to living with and combating depression, changing what you can to feel better is really important. While you’re figuring out what is causing your depression, changing your eating habits and patterns as well as vetting personal care and cleaning products for ingredients that may be affecting you, it can be helpful and a bit uplifting to change a few simple things that are around you every day.
Surround yourself with cheerful objects and furnishings. A photo or painting that makes you feel good can go a long way to giving you a boost when you need it.
Do you have a favorite color…one that lifts your mood? Think about painting a room or maybe just one wall that color. Choose a room you spend time a good amount of time in. Along with enjoying that newly painted wall, getting it done…completing a project will help you feel good!
Another idea that helped me when I was feeling down was to buy some fresh flowers. It doesn’t have to be a huge expensive bouquet. Alstroemeria are generally inexpensive, come in a great variety of colors and can last a long time. Make sure you place them on a table or counter where you can see them and enjoy them!
Do you enjoy candles? The warm light they cast and their different scents can certainly soothe you and/or boost your mood. Choose a color you really like; one that will enhance your décor and brighten your spirits. For a scent, citrus will energize you, and a scent like vanilla or lavender will be softer and more soothing.
Speaking of scents, aromatherapy is another tool you may choose to try. Even a simple cup of warm chai tea, with its aromatic properties, can be soothing and can help lift your mood. Essential oils can be used with a diffuser or can be used in creams on your skin. The following scents are typically used when combating depression:
Basil, bergamot, cedarwood, frankincense, geranium, grapefruit, lavender, lemon, jasmine, rose, sandalwood, spruce, orange and ylang ylang.
The citrusy scents tend to stimulate your mood while scents like lavender and jasmine tend to be more calming and relaxing.
Do you have favorite music? Play it and enjoy it both at home and while you’re driving in the car. Music can be so uplifting, so don’t underestimate its ability to help you feel better!
I can tell you from experience that dealing with depression is a real life challenge. It can feel like a second job…it’s a lot of work to live with depression and still function in your daily life. Don’t underestimate the benefits of small things that can make you feel a bit better while you sort through and resolve your depression.
Cheryl A Major lives in Westford and is a Certified Nutrition and Wellness Consultant. Her TV show Thin Strong Healthy airs on WestfordCat and is an offshoot of her blog http://ThinStrongHealthy.com Cheryl offers ongoing information and personal health coaching to help you feel better and be healthier. Follow Cheryl on Twitter @CherylAMajor. She is also a full time residential Realtor with Coldwell Banker with more than 25 years experience.
Questions? Email Cheryl at cheryl@thinstronghealthy.com and be sure to put Health Question in the subject line. Your question and its answer will be included in a future article.
