How to Navigate Major Life Events & Find Balance with Depression

Marriage, the birth of a child, a new job, or retirement are just some of the many major events that mark our transition into different ages, places, and phases of life. These events often bring our lives meaning and add beautiful ceremony, tradition, and celebration. But major life events can also be periods of stress, tumultuousness, and transition, contributing to depression over time.

Stressful life events can have a lasting impact on mental health. It is important to navigate these periods with greater awareness towards help with depression and to mitigate any possible effects in the long term.

The Effects of Major Life Events on Mental Health

After a major life event, there is often a whiplash on mental health contributing to depression. Additionally, not all major life events are celebrations or positive as they occur. Some examples of major life events include:

  • Getting married
  • Getting divorced
  • Birth of a child
  • A child moving out
  • Switching jobs
  • Getting promoted
  • Going to college
  • Starting a business
  • Buying a home
  • Selling a home
  • Retirement
  • Illness
  • Death of a loved one
Every major life event is different, and how a life event affects someone is also different depending on the person. But the common mental wellness trajectory during a major life event for many people is to experience anxiety leading up to the event, stress as the event is ongoing, and depression after the event occurs.

How to Navigate Major Life Events

help someone with depressionNavigating a major life event is truly an art, and there is no one right way to go through these periods. Throughout your time going through a major life event, it is important to always stay in tune with how you are feeling and your needs so that you can better address them as they arise. See below for the top 3 things to remember in help with depression when navigating a major life event.

  1. Plan What You Can, Let Go When You Can’t
    Planning how to get through major transitions is a good way to set up helpful strategies and techniques through this process. But planning isn’t always possible, and in these cases, it is better to practice accepting things as they are rather than getting too caught up in the details. Trying to plan when it isn’t possible often creates more stress than simply letting go to the flow of life instead.
  2. Practice Regular Self-Care
    During major life transitions, it might be tempting to take care of loved ones around you in these stressful times. But remember, you can’t help others before you’ve helped yourself. So, make your self-care a priority and try to implement daily reminders and designated times for your personal wellness.
  3. Use Your Breath
    During a stressful, frightening, or frustrating time, it is common for your breathing to become short and difficult. By taking a moment every day to tune into your breath and take calming breaths through your nose, you can regulate your nervous system naturally and switch your brain into a more relaxed and easeful state.

Eastside TMS: The Key to Finding Help and Balance with Depression

If you are still struggling after a major life event in your life, then seeking out help from a qualified mental health professional may be the solution to getting on the other side. At Eastside TMS and Wellness Center in Renton, Washington, we specialize in treating depression. Reach out to us today to see how we can help!