"There are zero reasons for optimism (if you are not Igor Sinyak)." What should a man do in order not to catch depression

If you don't swear while driving, then you don't pay attention to the road. The mood is exactly the same.

If you are cheerful, easy-going, and carefree, you don't follow what's going on. A normal person cannot be happy in this hysterical (or historical) period. 

There are plenty of reasons to be sad. As they say, there's something for everyone.

Starting with seasonal (no sun, 3 months of winter ahead, wet snow with rain), ending with universal (wars, dictators, propaganda, climate warming, stupefaction of the population). In addition, kefir has risen in price, and this is no longer in any way ...

In general, there are zero reasons for optimism (if you are not Igor Sinyak, well, or Sergey Grigoriev-Appolonov), which means that depression of one intensity or another is here. 

To quote the classics, “the mind is a dark place beyond the reach of science,” but there’s a whole spectrum of diagnoses out there. I even learned a new one recently—anhedonia. That’s when even the things that used to bring you joy no longer do. And you have to admit, that’s just some kind of nonsense.

I started looking into what I could do before I turned to alcohol or put myself in the caring hands of psychiatrists. Here’s what I found online. Maybe it’ll be useful to someone.

First, physical education. You might laugh (especially if you skipped gym class in school), but it really is good for you. Not only does it get your blood pumping, but it turns out that when your muscles contract, they also release certain hormones—the kind that make you feel happy and joyful.

And, in fact, it does not matter what type of physical activity you prefer. Triathlon, fights without rules, decathlon, Pilates - everything will do. The main thing is not to overdo it. Otherwise, you can come to the point that you will still be sad, but also tired. 

Elderly people after 35 years old, like me, are better suited to something calm. For example, darts or checkers.

Secondly, fresh air. You can combine this with the first point, or you can take it on its own. It’s great when, while out for a walk, you get to look at nature instead of the concrete jungle—even if it’s just at the trees or watching the neighbor’s dog strain. Nature is calming.

Good Nutrition. Again, it sounds like a tautology, but eating healthy food is really healthy. Lettuce there, cod liver, sprouted seeds of something. It only seems to you that the body wants beer with potato pancakes. In fact, there is nothing better than the Mediterranean diet.

The items listed above are simple and accessible. Next come the more complex ones.

For example, restrict social media And in general, the time spent in front of the screens. I don't know about you, but for me it's physically difficult. It's so tempting to lie down at the end of the day, turn off your brain and turn on these reels on Instagram. You are lying, moving your thumb, and they are dancing, telling something, falling from bicycles, cats again... 

So it turns out you really, really shouldn't do that. Especially before bed!

Another aerobatics is to stop reading news. Preferably at all. It is also not easy, given how much is happening now. As the Chinese say, God forbid you live in an era of change. I've been living in it for as long as I can remember. But the last 5 years have been very changeable. You never know what reality you will wake up in tomorrow, so you want to know everything. 

I tried a couple of times to stop keeping up with the news, and I almost missed Prigozhin's little rebellion!

But the truth is, important news will find you one way or another. So you don't have to go out of your way to look for it—you can spare yourself the stress.

And, finally, for the very advanced — regular meditation. Just sitting for at least ten minutes a day with your eyes closed and focusing solely on your breath is a balm for our restless minds. It’s not nearly as easy as it seems. Meditation is something you have to learn, just like anything else. But once you get the hang of it, it really does get easier. In theory, anyway. Once I’ve got the hang of it, I’ll let you know.

All in all, of course, you can't say anything better than the ancients did.

“Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

If it doesn't work out, don't worry. The kind doctors in white coats are always there for us.

Wishing everyone good health and all the best!