Internal Family Systems therapy.
Ask HN: What are the best hacks to fight depression?
21–30 of 152 posts
Re: Ask HN: What are the best hacks to fight depression?
#22Rigorous exercise seems to get me out of any ruts I'm in. I typically hike 5-6 miles x 3 days a week, and throw in a 11-12 mile over strenuous terrain. By the end of that, your mind will clear, your body is exhausted, and you'll rest easy that night.
Other than that, eating well, having plenty of great sex, and interacting with as many people as possible. OH most important, SLEEP, a full solid night of it. Naps are awesome too.
Re: Ask HN: What are the best hacks to fight depression?
#23Hard outdoor physical labor where you are up before dawn, work flat out all day, and fall asleep exhausted shortly after dusk. Do this 7 days a week and you won't have time to be depressed.
An answer I've heard that Southeast Asians get is to raise chickens or other animals.
One guy who got that advice from his brother went on to be the Forrest Gump of eggs in Indonesia and became a billionaire.
Raising animals has all that and you also have the emotional relationship of the animals to boot.
Re: Ask HN: What are the best hacks to fight depression?
#24For me, it's following the 5x5 workout routine: https://stronglifts.com/
It's 6am in Seattle right now. I woke up and I'm about to go to the gym and do my 5x5 workout. I do this 3 times a week and it changed my life ever since I started doing it two years ago.
Re: Ask HN: What are the best hacks to fight depression?
#25Fix what is causing the depression.
This is really the only solution. Hacks will only give a very minor benefit. Look at your life, relationships and job and ask yourself if its what you really want.
Re: Ask HN: What are the best hacks to fight depression?
#26For me: Lift weights and perform intense physical activity to exhaustion. Don’t smoke tobacco or cannabis. Don’t really drink either. Meditation. 12-step work. Wellbutrin (bupropion) has helped me out of holes. Have close friends to confide in. Say what you’re thinking. Don’t say what you’re not thinking. Follow pointless dreams in some measure. For me, being able to buy a legendary Husaberg FE 570 motorcycle was an…
A good list.
> Say what you’re thinking. Don’t say what you’re not thinking.
But I Love this one. :)
Re: Ask HN: What are the best hacks to fight depression?
#27Hard outdoor physical labor where you are up before dawn, work flat out all day, and fall asleep exhausted shortly after dusk. Do this 7 days a week and you won't have time to be depressed.
Do you have personal experience doing this?
I have personal experience of working this hard, but having never been depressed I have never had to use this approach. I have worked with people who have used it successfully and if I were to get depressed it is exactly what I would do.
It seems to be important that it is both hard physical labor and outdoors in the sun.
Re: Ask HN: What are the best hacks to fight depression?
#28If your depression is serious, and it's preventing you from living your life, or if you're feeling suicidal, see a doctor or call a hotline. Now.
If you have mild depression, or want to not get depressed in the first place, I'd recommend the following:
Do exercise, do it outside if at all possible. Even light exercise like going for a walk is better than none. Don't take your phone.
Turn off and shut away your electronic devices an hour before you go to bed. Under no circumstances have your phone by your bed. Buy an alarm clock if need be. Disrupting sleep is the best way to get depressed quickly.
Delete or neuter[1] your social media accounts. They are engineered to make you feel bad (so you click ads).
Get something to look after. A dog, or if you don't have time or space, a cat, or if you really don't have time or space a plant or two.
Put effort into your relationships with friends. Even if you don't feel it's being reciprocated. No friends where you are now? Find local meetups and go to them regularly. e.g. Parkrun, reading group, musical group, dev meetups. Keep going every week.
Put effort into yourself. Tidy up your living space, dress and groom well every morning.
Re: Ask HN: What are the best hacks to fight depression?
#29Exercise. That's it. Get outside and walk/run/jog/bike everyday and get healthy, it will change everything. Sounds too simplistic, but it works.
You forgot sex.
Re: Ask HN: What are the best hacks to fight depression?
#30Professionally prescribed anti-depressants. Depression is serious. Seek medical help.