Try These Self-Care Strategies to Manage Your Depression
Depression doesn’t take it easy and depression doesn’t play nice.
It doesn’t care that it hurts your feelings or keeps you away from the people that care about you.
Depression, in fact, can be pretty good at convincing you that you’re powerlessness, worthless and that only dark days lie ahead.
And though it behaves like a friend you can immerse yourself in for long naps and escape, you know better. You want to feel better.
You can.
Decide to take care of yourself. You deserve better than dark days. You are meant for more.
Self-care Strategies to Manage Your Depression
Give Yourself A Break
The truth is, doing anything when you’re depressed takes Herculean effort. You can feel sluggish one moment or sick the next. Whatever you feel, you likely don’t feel up to taking care of yourself.
Which is exactly why now is the time for self-care.
Otherwise, depression will keep insisting that you aren’t worth the trouble. However, if you decide that you need a break from that draining, defeatist thought pattern and choose to take one little self-care step, hope may get a chance to empower you.
You’re worth that first step.
Learn More About Your Diagnosis
Become an expert on you. When you accept responsibility for understanding how depression impacts you specifically, it can be empowering. Journal your experience and take note of your symptoms and triggers. Pay attention to your responses and reactions to life and to treatment.
Also, investigate innovative treatments for discussion with your doctor and therapist. Do something daily to know and understand your depression a bit better.
Make Your Life and Responsibilities Bite-sized
Don’t feel that you need to bite off more than you can chew. Just make your days manageable. Set goals and adhere to a schedule. This keeps you present and engaged. With small, achievable goals you’ll feel less prone to the overwhelm and rumination that can emotionally derail you.
Treat Your Body Well
Your mind and body are a team. They pay close attention to each other. Your mental and physical states are greatly influenced by your choices. Help yourself feel better with a few of these ideas:
See your doctor. There may be something simple and treatable contributing to your low moods.
Practice mood-boosting exercise. Ease yourself into short, goal-focused workouts or walks.
Soothe your gut. The connection between your mind-gut connection is well researched. Depression feeds on sugar and processed food. Eat nutrition-rich foods and stay hydrated. Limit caffeine and alcohol to feel your best.
Reacquaint Yourself with Joy
Depression steals pleasure. The things and activities you loved, no longer delight you. This is a significant loss. Enjoyment, entertainment, and laughter are vital stress relievers. Humor and fun are key coping methods. Try to tap into rewarding or enjoyable activities as often as possible.
Shore Up Solid Support
Take the time to intentionally connect with people. Depression wants you to believe that no one wants you, that you should withdraw from the world. Refuse to listen. You are wired for social contact. Allow your brain the connection, conversation, and comfort it craves. Try to reach out to at least one person a day. Plan time with a therapist or a support group to help you maintain regular therapeutic support as well.
Finally...
It’s important to realize that you may have to push yourself initially. Depression will not simply go away on its own. But, that’s the beauty of therapy. If you are ready to feel better, but your energy is lagging, make just one self-care move: reach out. I’m here to help. Please call me for a consultation and learn more about depression counseling here.
