This proverbial phrase has been heard by many people around the world. Simply put, we should have a positive can-do attitude when faced with difficult times or misfortune. Literally speaking, it’s no secret that some individuals may not have the ingredients needed to make good ole fashioned lemonade. There are also individuals who may have the needed ingredients, but don’t have the recipe needed to make it taste right. Although you are perfect, some individuals don’t understand how to take their negative experiences and/or situations and turn them into “lemonade.” Some individuals are barely able to get up in the morning when they are experiencing difficult times. FYI….Nobody is perfect.
So, how can an individual make lemonade when he/she can barely function? How are they expected to turn a not so good situation, unfortunate event, or series of negative feelings into something positive? As a clinician working with clients who live with depression, there are usually several components needed in order to facilitate change in that individual. Depression is a mood disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest in normal daily activities. Depression can affect how an individual will think, feel, behave, and can cause both, physical and emotional problems. According to the Mayo Clinic (2019), there are several low-cost ways to manage depression. For example, one can train their brain, eat a healthy diet, exercise, or get needed rest. Please allow me to break this recipe down for you; so that you are able to make lemonade from the lemons you were given.
Recipe to Help Decrease Depression
(Changing lemons into lemonade)
· Identify and Utilize Supports
· Identify what makes you feel down and ways to avoid (if possible)
· Exercise (take a walk, join a gym, try a Youtube exercise video)
· Eat Healthy (meal prep, decrease sugars, include more veggies)
· Train Your Brain (be mindful of your negative self talk, include affirmations)
· Get needed rest and relaxation (get a night time routine, decrease screen time)
· Seek professional help when needed
· Take prescribed depression medication
We understand if you may need assistance turning those lemons into lemonade. If you are living with depression or any other mental health illness and feel that you need help, we are here for you. Renewed Mental Health wants you to feel free to reach out to us at 678-582-8947, in order to schedule a consultation. FYI, being that we are practicing social distancing, due to COVID-19, telehealth services are available.
Until next time, live on purpose.
VaVa
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