Depression is described as a mood or mental disorder that makes you feel sad and drains your energy, hope, and motivation, making it difficult to take steps that will help you to feel better.
Depression can be hard to detect but the common symptoms of depression are fatigue, weight changes, anxiety, apathy, general discontent, guilt, hopelessness and loss of interest.
The feeling of depression will negatively affect various aspects of a student's life including sleep, diet, mental and physical health, self-esteem, social interaction and academic performance.
It is important to note that depression is not a sign of weakness.
Here are a few tips to help you cope with depression as a student:
Stay Connected
Being depressed can make you want to withdraw socially, but it is important that you go out with your friends or family and do things you love doing. Going out and doing things that make you happy will make you feel better about yourself and decrease your feelings of depression.
Create A Schedule
A lack of motivation and a feeling of unproductiveness can be combated by creating a schedule. A daily schedule that could include study dates, extracurricular activities and personal time. The organization and completion of tasks will make you feel like you have accomplished something and improve your motivation and productiveness.
Exercise
Regular exercise can be as effective as medication for relieving depression symptoms. A regular exercise routine will make you feel energized and less fatigued. Rhythmic exercises such as dancing or even walking while listening to your favourite playlist can improve your general mood.
Get Some Sunlight
Opening up your windows or just going outside for a walk while absorbing some sunlight can be very beneficial to you as sunlight boosts serotonin levels and improves your overall mood.
If you feel like you can't combat your depression on your own or know of someone who is struggling with depression, there are support centres which you can visit such as Lifeline, Grace Counselling and the South African Depression and Anxiety Group.
If you are struggling with depression and you need help you can call SADAG on 011 234 4837.
If are having thoughts about harming yourself you can also call their Crisis Line on 0800 567 567.
We here at the Careers Portal spoke to Natalia from SHAWCO to learn more about how to identify depression, what you can do to manage depression and how to balance academics, social life and all your other commitments.
