If you have been recently diagnosed with sleep apnea, you may be feeling a little low or dealing with depression. I’ve had sleep apnea for over 5 years now. in the beginning, I thought my life was over. Here’s how I handled my depression and how you can, too.
You’re Not Alone
The first thing to remember is that you’re not alone. There are other people out there that have the same thing that you do. It’s difficult at first to come to terms with your diagnosis, but it’s not the end of the world.
You can still lead a normal life; you only have to take a few extra steps to ensure that you manage your sleep apnea effectively. For me, this is ensuring that I use my CPAP machine each night so I get the rest that I need.
Join a Community
Sometimes, you need someone to talk with. Join an online sleep apnea community because it can help you deal with your inner emotions. There are plenty of great places to join.
I like the Apnea Board, but there are a lot more places to join. By joining a forum, you can connect with others that have the same condition that you do. It’s helped me deal with my emotions around sleep apnea. Don’t be afraid to ask questions as the people on these boards are very helpful.
Take Care of Other Areas of Your Health
You’ll feel better about yourself and be better able to manage sleep apnea if you take better care of yourself.
Try to eat a balanced diet and get some regular exercise. I feel a lot better about myself since I’ve incorporated walking and some weight training into my life. A good diet and some exercise will lift your mood, and this will help you a great deal.
Talk to Your Doctor
Sometimes, you may not be able to manage things on your own. If you’re stressed out over sleep apnea or feel real depression, then I would speak to your doctor.
I was able to manage my stress and depression over sleep apnea on my own, but you may need more help, so reach out if you find that you’re unable to cope.
Your Therapy Matters
No matter what sleep apnea therapy you use, it’s important to remain consistent. For me, this is using my sleep apnea machine and mask every night.
In the beginning, it was hard, but I soon realized that I feel a lot better during the day when I use my machine. When I feel better, I don’t stress over my apnea.
A sleep apnea diagnosis may be frightening at first, but it doesn’t have to be. All you need to do is take care of yourself better and use whatever therapy your doctor prescribes for you. I’m thankful for my sleep apnea machine because it allows me to sleep better. With better sleep, I have a positive outlook on life.
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