Ten Ways to Deal with Injustice without Depression

You know that life isn’t fair. And not just because you’ve been told that but because you’ve experienced it for yourself to the extreme these past few months. Trying to deal with something that is not just unfair but even a complete injustice, can really play havoc with your happiness if you allow it.

To live through times like we’ve all been experiencing requires special attention to how we are coping and taking action to counteract the damaging effects of becoming a victim to circumstances.

Maybe one or more of these suggestions can help you deal with these unjust times. Find one that speaks to you and focus on applying it in your life.

1. Be Compassionate to Yourself — The one person in the universe that can treat you with the utmost fairness and kindness is yourself. At the very least, make sure you are being compassionate to yourself because when it comes down to it, you are your own best friend.
2. Focus on Now — Learning how to be more mindful about what is happening in your life right now is important. If watching the news makes you feel particularly bad right now, focus on you and your family and the positive ways that interaction can sustain you. Look for ways to enhance your family’s well-being. Make things fair, at least for yourself and your family.
3. Separate Facts from Emotion — While some types of injustice, such as systemic racism for example, are rage-inducing even when you look at them on a factual basis, sometimes the facts will help you cope. For example, when the media gets obsessed about something, it always seems worse than it really is. Avoid social media that is filled with extreme opinions expressed through hatred. Check the facts; don’t trust your emotions.
4. Learn to Breathe Right — Did you know that most people don’t even breathe correctly. To breathe right so that your oxygen levels are the way they should be and to reduce the anxiety, you should breathe into your diaphragm like a baby. Sometimes, just taking a deep, letting-go breath (or several of them) can ease the anxiety of the moment.
5. Eat Right and Exercise — There isn’t much that can replace good nutrition for avoiding depression. While it isn’t always going to rid you of it entirely, it will help you avoid nutritional deficiencies that can lead to depression. Moving more will also help you feel better because it’s going to help you feel more alive and in tune with your body.
6. Sleep Enough Each Night — The next most important item after food is to ensure that you are sleeping a full 7 to 9 hours every single night. When you sleep enough, you give your body and mind time to repair. Take time to wind down before going to bed by doing things that comfort you or even bore you to sleepiness!
7. Avoid Alcohol and Drugs — This is especially important when you are feeling down, angry, or depressed. Most drugs aren’t going to do anything but enhance the emotions, causing you to be even more depressed. Of course, if you need prescription medication, that is different.
8. Avoid Depression Triggers — Most people have triggers that make them get worse when it comes to depression. If you know what yours are, just avoid them. That doesn’t mean that you’re putting your head in the sand. You can always help in another way if it’s interfering with you dealing with the injustice.
9. Help Other People — Find a way to get outside of yourself and help others. Everyone is suffering in some way. Sometimes a simple phone call or card can do wonders for those feeling isolated and alone. Fresh baked goods or soup left at a neighbor’s house can be so comforting.

10. See a Counselor — A large number of people can improve their lives by acknowledging they cannot go it alone and need to seek therapy. If you are struggling and worried about depression, realize that sometimes depression is not situational; sometimes it’s chemical. Seeing a professional can help you identify what you’re dealing with so you can learn ways to deal with the unfairness of life without depression.

It’s one thing to work toward a better world, but it’s another to let it ruin your world right now. Focus on doing what you can as an individual, but also focus on the here and now so that you can live a satisfying life even though things aren’t fair yet. If you look at the world historically, you will know for sure that the world really is becoming a more inclusive and fairer world that puts justice first. It’s just happening slowly.

Is your current mindset helping you cope or does it need some adjustments? My simple ecourse guides you through some fun and revealing activities that will help you choose a mindset that will serve you both now in the future. Take a look: Designing Your New Normal Mindset. It is still at introductory pricing!

I’m educator and blogger Vicki Peel, Ed.D. I support family members trying to live good-enough intentional lives by writing about life hacks in the areas of Home Style, Lifestyle, and Food. Receive your Free report and more information at https://HERLifeHacks.com