Most people feel low sometimes, but if it’s affecting your life, there are things you can try that may help.
Some people think depression is trivial and not a genuine health condition. They’re wrong – it is a real illness with real symptoms. Depression is not a sign of weakness or something you can “snap out of” by “pulling yourself together”.
Feeling low may cause someone to stop doing the things they like, cut themselves off from loved ones or have difficulty sleeping. Other signs include feeling:
- sad
- worried, anxious or panicked
- tired
- less confident
- frustrated, irritated or angry
A low mood should lift after a few days, but if it lasts longer than about two weeks, it may be a sign of depression.
The good news is that with the right treatment and support, most people with depression can make a full recovery.
Watch the video below for some top tips to help you deal with low mood.
Low Mood and Depression
Hello, I’m Richard Black, a mental health professional from Essex.
Feeling upset, sad or disheartened is a natural part of life from time to time, but for some of us, it can be a real problem.
The good news is that there are things you can do to improve your mood.
Here are six top tips to help you improve your mood.
Increase meaningful activity.
Low mood can stop us doing important or enjoyable activities.
Make a list of things you enjoy doing and try to incorporate them into your day.
Start with easier ones and as you progress, your mood should improve.
Challenge your thoughts
The way we think affects the way we feel.
If you always approach things in a negative way, ask yourself why.
Could you think about things more positively?
Talk to someone
Trusted friends, family and colleagues, or contacting a helpline can help us when we’re struggling.
Get better sleep
Low moods can make us feel tired.
Tiredness can also have a negative impact on our mood.
Watch our video on tips to improve your sleep.
Be kind to yourself.
Try to break down tasks into manageable chunks.
Do not try to do everything at once and give yourself credit when you complete each bit.
Healthy living, being active, cutting back on alcohol, and making sure we have a healthy balanced diet can help boost our mood and well-being.
All these tips should help improve your mood, but if you’ve been experiencing low mood for some time and it’s affecting your daily life or causing you distress, you should consider seeking further support.
If low mood is affecting your daily life or causing you distress, call NHS 111, talk to your GP or refer yourself to our local talking therapies (IAPT) service.
Find out more about talking therapiesUrgent help
If you cannot wait to see a doctor and feel unable to cope or keep yourself safe, it’s important to get support – services are still open during the coronavirus outbreak.
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