Men are social creatures, and it really helps having someone to offload to, after either a bad day or a problem that you are struggling with. Try not to shut yourself off from everybody – people that care about you will always be glad that you’ve come to them for help. Exercise is a great way of staying social and the benefits on your mood are fantastic (the physical benefits aren’t bad either!). It doesn’t have to be much to begin with; just a 10 minute walk can give you a boost. Avoidance is quite typical of someone that’s feeling low - be it from poor self-esteem or low confidence levels. Try to take yourself slightly out of your comfort zone and face up to situations that make you anxious. It’s harder than it sounds but it will make you feel so much better for having done it. You may feel daunted by the thought of talking to friends or relatives, but this can be very beneficial and give you the support you need. Alcohol can unfortunately become a ‘go to’ relief from all of the stresses of life. But alcohol can actually make you feel worse about yourself, and it won’t help with your troubles. Try to avoid situations where alcohol might be involved; go to a friend’s house instead of the pub. Nobody wants to be like a bear with a sore head. Establishing a regular sleep pattern is a good place to start with getting yourself into routine – it can help your body to relax and quite literally take a load off. Make sure your routine is consistent – although the odd lie in is sometimes necessary with a busy lifestyle, it shouldn’t become a daily occurrence. You should also try to make your meal times regular, to avoid skipping meals or snacking constantly. Having a good diet means more energy and can help with some of the physical pains you may have. Everyone is allowed an off day – nobody can feel completely happy 100% of the time. If you feel like things are a little overwhelming, there are always people available for a chat. You can speak to your GP or contact Healthy Minds for help. If you need immediate support, CALM provides webchat and a telephone helpline as do the Samaritans. Solutions to feeling down are not one size fits all – everyone finds different things that suit them. There are a wide range of therapies and medications that can help. People are different – they can experience feeling down in very different ways. The most common feelings are that of sadness, hopelessness and a lack of interest in activities that used to make you happy. But not everybody thinks or behaves in exactly the same way. Over time feeling low can start to have an effect on your day-to-day life, from your job to your relationships with family and friends. Common thoughts that you may experience when you are feeling a bit down include - Sometimes the symptoms of depression can manifest themselves in a more noticeable way, through your behaviour. These can include: It can even affect how you interact with other people and the environment: Feeling down can range in severity; going from mild to severe, dependent on how much the symptoms affect your day to day life. It can develop gradually, to the extent where some people or even you yourself may not notice that something might be wrong. If you're feeling low, your results indicate you might need to speak to somebody or our tips and advice haven't helped, speak to your GP or get in touch with Healthy Minds (01865 901 600). If you can't wait and want to speak to someone urgently, call CALM or The Samaritans.Stuff I can do
Staying Social
Face your Fears
Don’t drink too much alcohol
Have a routine
Seeking Professional Help
Early Symptoms
Useful Videos
What is depression?
What does depression feel like?
Symptoms of Depression
Men and Depression – The Hidden Symptoms
Depression - Lawrence's Story
Why do so many men die by suicide - Comedian who attempted suicide
Local Help in Buckinghamshire