Depression is a mental disorder that many people live with everyday. Over 300 million people around the world have depression, according to the World Health Organization. As big as these numbers are, studies have shown a drastic increase in millennials.
Many studies indicate that millennials outnumber any other generation. Although that makes them the largest in numbers, depression seems to be spreading 3x as fast in millennials than any other generation.The second leading cause for death in college students is suicide.
This tells us that many millennials are sad, hurting, and crying on the inside, not saying a word about it. They feel abandoned and unloved. Many millennials feel lonely and misunderstood.
Many would argue the lack of patience and how millennials feel entitled play a huge roll in these circumstances but I’d argue what can we do to save our future. How do we begin to reach millennials and meet them right where they are? Also as millennials, what can be done to lessen the load of depression?
I can honestly say that as a millennial, I’ve too experienced many dark times. I’ve found myself depressed about what life throws at me and what it doesn’t. I’ve been depressed over relationships as well as business.
One thing I believe plays a huge roll in millennial depression is the ability of choice. Generation Y has access to so many different walks of life. Having so many choices stresses us out and often makes us think of what others will think more than our own realities.
Along my walk of life I’ve found some techniques that push positive behavior. These measures helped me to be proactive and I hope it can help my fellow millennials.
1. Healthy Me Time
There’s a huge difference between complete isolation and Me Time. Me Time is time you spend with yourself, doing something that you absolutely love. Some people call it pamper. Others call it self care. Either way, IT’S NEEDED! We, millennials, need more time alone to properly identify ourselves. It’s so easy for us to get caught up in allowing the world to tell us who we are or who we should be rather than taking the time to discover the real us. So begin to date yourself often, no matter what it looks like, you deserve time with you.
2. Build a Positive Network
Your surroundings have a great impact on your mood, mind, and mental. Whether your friends are loving and supportive or picky and discouraging they will have an impact on how you feel. Not only examine, but begin to eliminate negative forces in your life. Don’t give your time to people who don’t deserve it. You can’t find happiness by dwelling in misery. It’s not about have perfect friends. It’s about having the people in your life that care about you.
3. Start a Daily Journal
Life comes with all sorts of mishaps and mistakes that we often can’t prepare for. Nonetheless we are forced to deal with the tactics that come are way. Things may not always turn out how we want them to but we have to get to a place of humility. Begin to write out your feelings daily. Check on your mental more often. Whether it was a rough day or a phenomenal one, write out your feelings, your intentions, your plans, your goals. There’s nothing like catering to self. There’s nothing wrong with feeling down or depressed. It’s all about knowing taking one day at a time and believing you can make it.
Keep pushing Team Millennials!
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