Peoples' depression problems are not always about the way he or she looks and how much they weigh. It is usually something deeper within, related to mental health rather than physical health. Healing Mental Health is never an easy task. This takes time, energy, strength, and support. Studies are showing more and more that the rate of depression in teens and young adults is rising rapidly. Reasons vary including social media, promoted body images, and bullying (verbal, cyber, etc). Whatever it is, it is not a joke. Depression can lead to self-belittling, self-harm or worse, suicide attempts. Diagnosed or not, never take someone's words of depression lightly.
In my first year and a half of college, I struggled with depression. Everything was changing around me. Friends were coming and going, classes were difficult, loved ones were dying, and overall I felt like I was less and less of a person. I started taking baby steps to a healthy mind, going into my sophomore year. I wanted to be happy again, not just smiling and laughing, but genuinely happy. I wanted to like myself again, and feel worth it, in what I could contribute to daily life.
I lived alone that summer, so it was hard to find the motivation, but eventually I grew. I tried to go out and do more with people, and I made two beautiful friendships as a result. I went to counseling just to have someone to talk to, who had no insight into my life but the information I gave her. Her thoughts were not tainted by the lies and gossip of those who are now in my past. Therapy was a relief and I highly recommend it to those of you who are struggling with even the slightest misfortune. In the fall, I let go of toxic people who, though they may have been my friends at one point in time, had brought me more pain than gain. Slowly but surely, I was understanding how special life is, but also short life is. So you have to make the best of it.
Months passed. I still was not where I wanted to be. I researched what else I could do. Finally, I discovered what my final step was: fitness. A healthy body led me to a healthy mind. I hadn't slept well in months, and I rarely woke up before noon until I changed my ways. I played soccer my whole life and had a high metabolism so I didn't really watch what I ate. I began working out multiple times a week, and ate out a lot less which saved me some money too. Then, I progressed to working out every day and changed my diet at home too. At first I lost some of the fat I had gained from the freshman 15, but then I gained some of that back in muscle. I could finally sleep enough hours and wake up early feeling refreshed. I had energy to make it through the day without needing a nap or caffeine. Now it's the summer of 2015, and I am the happiest I have been in two years. I look better, I feel healthier, and I know that I am worth it.
So to all of those suffering from mental health issues: don't give up. Unfortunately, it never goes away, and I have my good and bad days, but I am the best me that I have ever been. Go eat an apple or two, take a walk to the park, maybe even meditate. Living a healthy physical life is your choice, but it can only benefit you in every way. Remember, you cannot thank anyone but yourself. You are so strong because you have already made it this far. Do it for yourself because you should be your biggest fan, and at the end of the day you should be cheering yourself on for tomorrow. The future is bright, just open up your eyes and see it.
