How to Beat Depression and Anxiety Tips and Tricks

If you find yourself struggling and wondering how to beat depression and anxiety, you are among an ever-growing group in society who feels the pressure of life. Some studies suggest 1 in every 8 people suffer from mental disorders with anxiety and depressive disorders being the most common. Although I feel those numbers have likely doubled since the pandemic.

I have struggled with anxiety and depression since childhood. Over many years, I have researched and sought out the best ways to combat anxiety symptoms and depression. Here are some of the most natural, but helpful ways, I have found to soothe my anxiety and depression. 

1. Light therapy:

Do you ever notice a correlation between your mood and the weather? Maybe you notice on rainy days you don’t have as much pep in your step and find yourself wondering, “Why do I feel sad when it rains?”. Especially for those who are affected by seasonal affective disorder, you may find days with a lack of sunlight to be a hard hit to your depression. 

That’s where light therapy comes in to save the day! A light therapy box helps take the place of the sun for the day. A reduction in sunlight can cause your serotonin levels to drop and throw off your melatonin levels as well. They are vital in regulating your mood and well-being. Using a light therapy box for just 30 minutes a day can help offset those rainy days to keep your serotonin and melatonin levels functioning properly. 

Light therapy has been a lifesaver for me! I have seen about as many doctors, therapists, and counselors, as you can find in search of remedies for depression and anxiety. 

Out of all those, only one ever mentioned light therapy as a treatment. This tool to combat depression and anxiety needs to be more known. Here’s the box that I use along with a few others. 

Verilux HappyLight Light Therapy Lamp

Light Therapy Lamp Rotatable Stand

Light Therapy Sildan Lamp with Wireless Charge Pad

Tip and Disclaimer: Try to use it as early in the day as possible, or during times you would typically be exposed to sunlight. As always, consult your physician before starting or trying any kind of treatment to make sure it’s a good fit for you. I am not a medical professional, and this is not meant to be a substitute for medical advice. 

2. Reading: 

Dive into a new world to get a break from reality. Learn a new hobby, study self-care techniques, and expand your knowledge. There are endless reading opportunities and it’s never too late to start. Check out your local library to see what they have to offer so you can get a taste of what category of books piques your interest the most! For me lately, there’s been nothing better than curling up with a cozy blanket, a hot cup of tea, and a good book to give my mind a break from the pregnancy’s ups and downs. It gives me something to focus on besides my restless mind! 

3. Indoor exercise:

 The lovely thing about exercise is it can be done anywhere. Do not feel as if you have to have a gym membership to get active! Exercise has been shown over and over to have positive effects on mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Your body is made to be active. 

It’s so easy when feeling down to want to stay in bed all day, I have been there and done that. And, what I can tell you, is that it only worsens the feelings of depression and anxiety. We are blessed in our generation to have access to technology. Go to YouTube and search for simple home exercises and stretches for beginners to get you started. Here’s some basic equipment to begin!

10 LB Workout Dumbbells

All Purpose Extra Thick Exercise Mat

IRON Flask Sports Top Water Bottle with Straw Lid

Resistance Exercise Bands

4. Family and Friends Support

Have family, or friends, over for a nice cup of tea and embrace the rainy day. Instead of viewing rainy days as bad or sad days, embrace them. It’s incredible what a shift in perspective can do on its own! Rain is beautiful. Making the flowers bloom and giving off a wonderful aroma with the world it comes in touch with. Along with its soothing sound. Find a covered porch and have a friend over for some tea or coffee and enjoy the rain. If you both enjoy reading then share a book with one another. Here are some of my favorite teas at the moment!

Honey Lavendar Stress Relief Tea 

Organic Chamomile Tea Bags

Lavendar Flowers Dried for Tea, Baking, Lemonade (I have yet to try this one, but it is a hot seller and highly reviewed on my wishlist!)

5. Indoor Crafts: 

Indoor crafts like crochet to keep your hands busy! Staying idle does nothing good for the body or the mind. Learn a new hobby or craft. I am starting what I hope to be a new hobby and craft soon, of learning to crochet! Here’s the beginners kit that I ordered and am looking forward to getting started. Not only does crafting keep your mind and hands busy, but it gives you a feeling of accomplishment to finish a project and be able to look at something knowing you made that. Here’s that kit, along with a few other beginner craft kits for you to try!

Origami Paper Craft Kit

Beginner Wood Whittling Kit

Beginner Crochet Kit

Beginner Penguin Crochet Kit Woobles

6. Aromatherapy: 

Aromatherapy has become more and more popular as many have discovered its effectiveness. I love the soothing scents like Lavendar and Ylang Ylang for example. If you’re unable to use a diffuser, there are also roll-on options, or wool necklaces you can wear if you have sensitive skin and don’t want it directly on your skin. So no matter who you are, you can enjoy it in one form or another! 

Aromatherapy Diffuser with 10 Essential Oils

Essential Oil Diffuser with Remote, Timer, Color Changing

Essential Oils Roll On Blends for Stress and Anxiety

Essential Oil Necklace Diffuser “With God All Things..”

Disclaimer: Many essential oils are toxic to pets so be sure to research or speak with your veterinary doctor if you plan on diffusing. Also, consult your physician before experimenting with essential oils and aromatherapy to make sure it’s a good option for you. I am not a medical professional and this is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for medical advice. 

7. Relaxing Epsom Salt Bath:

Epsom salt bath by candlelight with a bath tray and all the essentials will get your mind and body where it needs to be! There is an amazing array of Epsom salts now. Some are combined with soothing essential oils such as lavender, eucalyptus, orange, or hemp oils. 

Grab your Bible or book, a cup of tea, some snacks, and candles. Place them along your bath tray so you have easy access to everything you need for a nice relaxing soak to soothe your body and mind. I know for most, bath time may be the only “me” time you get. So make the most of it by incorporating things to make it that much more soothing. 

Use it as a time to sort through your thoughts for the day, silence your phone, have some prayer and God time, read the Bible or your book, and when the bath is over, leave all your worries behind. Here are my favorite bath trays and Epsom salts for my “me time” and everything you need for a soothing bath. 

Premium Bamboo Bathtub Tray

Dr. Teal’s Epsom Salt Eucalyptus and Lavendar 2 Pack Soothe & Relax

Lavendar Dead Sea Soak

Dead Sea Soak

Waterproof Flameless Floating Tealight Candles

Yogi Tea-Stress Relief and Herbal Tea Variety Pack

8. Resist the urge to stay on electronics! 

This leads to feelings of unproductiveness at the end of the day which can contribute to your dampened mood. Social media puts us in a place of constantly comparing ourselves to others. Many studies have shown the negative effect of social media on mental health. We were never made to spend hours on end staring at a screen. Yet it’s so easy to get sucked into the wormhole of social media. Make a conscious effort to set a little time a day for screen time and stick to that regimen. You will notice a big difference in your mental health. 

Before I started my blog, I had deleted all social media. Those years were incredible. But to help share my blog with the world I had to get some social media back, but if I didn’t have to have it I wouldn’t. Take a detox from social media. You won’t regret it. 

Conclusion:

I pray these tips and tricks to help how to beat depression and anxiety are as effective for you as they have been for me. Nothing is a cure-all, but anything that helps take the edge off is a blessing when you are struggling. Pray and surrender your cares and worries to God. You were never meant to carry half the burdens you do. 

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