There are lot of things that you can do to alleviate your depression. You may go to therapy, take medication, or take natural steps to feel better. But there are also some steps you can take within your relationships with yourself and others that can also help. Here are some ways that you can change your relationships in a way that makes your depression easier to deal with.
Stay away from toxic people. This is especially important. You probably already know that when you are around people who are always negative, that make you start feeling worse about yourself. This cannot happen when you're depressed and already feeling badly. Try to limit your time with those who are always miserable, so that you don't fall into that trap yourself.
The first thing you need to control is your relationship with yourself. Treat your self the way you might treat a sister, spouse, or child. Be aware of the thoughts that race through your head all day. Every time you are aware of a negative thought about yourself, add something positive. Being positive about yourself and what you have to offer is a great way to start feeling better.
Join an online forum for people who have depression. If you don't want to do that, consider an offline support group. These groups can be great for you to talk to people who know exactly what you are experiencing. They can offer you ways to deal with your problems, but they can also just lend a non-judgmental ear to listen to you.
Only talk to those who can be supportive. If you have a parent who thinks you need to "snap out of it" for example, that parent might not be the person you want to spend most of your time with. Some people will not understand what you are going through. That is their right, but you need to make sure that you don't buy into what they're saying. You need to care for yourself, and that means you need to be around people who are looking forward.
Be around others as much as you can. You may not want to be around anyone, but human interaction is a good, healthy idea for you. You might even decide to take a class at the gym, so that you can be around others and get fit as well, which is also a great idea for dealing with your depression. Seeing and speaking to others is a great way for you to get out of your own head and start living your life again.
After reading this article, you should be able to see how your relationships can affect your depression. Not only that, but you should be able to see how you can take concrete steps toward repairing relationships so that you can lift some of the depression you are feeling. Use the tips laid out here to help you improve your mood little by little until you feel happy.