These things can be VERY HELPFUL...
- Being treated as normal, rather than as someone who "has a problem".
- Spontaneous natural light humour (as opposed to contrived jokes).
- Sincere expressions of affection, love, caring (TLC - tender loving care).
- Loving touch, human warmth, massage.
- Going for a walk, other gentle exercise, fresh air, contact with nature, gardens.
- Create clean, clutter-free and relaxing home and work environments. Artistic, beautiful and natural decorations including fresh-cut flowers and potted plants can be quite uplifting.
- Gentle reminders to breathe fully and employ an energy-efficient, self-esteem enhancing posture: stand tall, expand chest, draw chin back and slightly down.
- "Acting out", or creatively expressing (art, music, dance, singing, poetry, writing) one's depressed feelings and perceptions (but avoid "wallowing" obsessions that perpetuate negative emotions.
- Cognitive Therapy especially the simple, user-friendly cognitive therapy book "Loving What Is!" [U.K. Canada USA]
- Spiritual connection and practices - especially "The 7 Spiritual Laws Of Success" [U.K. Canada
USA
]
- Doing things for others and receiving appreciation (reduces feeling of helplessness).
- Eliminating overwork/excessive burdens/tedious tasks - simple efficiency measures like using pre-printed address labels can free-up time to spend on more uplifting activities.
- Empathetic people who help a depressed person non-judgementally to explore and characterize their depressed reality.
- Solid, non-judgemental companions, with whom it is safe to be just how you feel.
- Moving meditation
- Giving the person a self-help book on depression (help from others can lower self-esteem, helping oneself can raise it).
For other things can help: Depression Advice Helping a Person who is Depressed: Index
Help with Depression for Carers & Sufferers: UK Courses Personal Stress/Depression Management Coaching
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