Causes of Depression

Is your role as a student too demanding to the point in which you do not know how to cope with the stress? Is it because of the high expectations adolescence brings, the changes going through your body, the high-stress the school environment brings, or the low self-esteem, which lead you to substance abuse? Do you have a term paper due that you haven't started on yet, feel like you can't accomplish much in life, lack energy, need a break or feel like you need some space when the times are tough? Well, a person's role as a student can be very stressful, and too much stress leads to emotional imbalance and even depression. Here are some strategies and tips to follow to help you avoid depression.

Prioritize. To minimize stress, the best thing to do is prioritize all activities. Don't try to do everything at once. Set schedules for yourself each day, doing the most important things first. Sometimes doing things through the course of which they occur leads to more problems and stress and even depression. Extra-curricular activities such as sports, clubs, and music, may be overwhelming. Allow yourself more time to do schoolwork and rest by cutting back on some activities. Don't commit yourselves to things that you feel you may not have time for because it only builds up stress, such as attending a party your friend invited you to when you know you have a really big project to work on that's due the next day. Do you go to the party to be with the in-crowd or do you turn your friend down and stay home and work on the project? Well, I say stay home and work on the project because you know that there are going to be so many more parties you will be able to attend throughout your lifetime. As for now, your education is like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Your all time favorite show, One Tree Hill is going to be on tonight. When you get home from school, do you talk to all your friends or go online and surf the net or do you do your homework? From experience I realized doing my homework as soon as I got home from school, gave me more free time afterwards, to do some extra studying or watching my favorite shows.

Don't Procrastinate. Procrastination interferes with the academic and personal success for us students. This can lead to feelings of guilt, inadequacy, depression and self-doubt. Negative thoughts such as, "I lack the necessary skills to perform the task," "This assignment won't take me too long, I'll do this later," and a preoccupation with the fear and anxiety associated with negative beliefs can get in the way of your progress on an assignment. Sometimes you are lead to a constant state of trying to catch up. You find yourselves rushing and hurrying from one activity to another, always racing with the clock and never getting on top of things. The sooner you get things done the better relief from stress you receive.

Maintain your Health. Eat healthy meals, have an actual meal and not just the usual fries, candy, and a coke. Eating healthier foods such as veggies, protein, and fruit, give you more energy, thus, making you feel more productive. Lay off the caffeine; they stimulate the body's alarm response and can sometimes lead to stressful situations. Energy sets in, physical stress and tension decreases, and your efficiency increases. Exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep are critical to emotional health. Lack of sleep can worsen depression, therefore, allow yourself at least eight hours of sleep each night to help perform well the next day.

Allow Some Free Time. Take some breaks every once in a while. This allows you to take some time to yourself, relax and prevent any depression or stress. For example, take a hot bath, draw, paint, or listen to soft music. Doing things for hours and hours can be very monotonous and highly stressful, for example, attempting to finish a five-page essay on Women's Rights in two hours. I think it can be done, but with a few breaks now and then. Apply yourself to physical activities, do things that make you happy and relaxed.

Keep a Positive Attitude. Never think something is impossible. Nothing is impossible if you set your mind to it. Set some goals for yourself and stick to them. You can achieve what you believe, if you try hard enough. For example, you

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