Depression impacts people in different ways. However, one of the most common symptoms is a sense of hopelessness. That can leave you feeling extremely sad, unmotivated, and fatigued. While some people tend to function better than others with depression, it can sometimes be a struggle to get out of bed in the morning, let alone take care of yourself.
However, not caring for yourself often produces a vicious cycle. The more you ignore self-care, the worse your depression can become. So, what can you do to care for yourself when you’re depressed? How can you find the motivation and drive to do what’s best for you, even when you’re struggling with extreme sadness?
Get Enough Sleep
Multiple studies have shown the connection between sleep and depression. Unfortunately, it’s another issue that can often be cyclical. The less sleep you get, the worse your depression becomes, but depression makes it difficult to sleep. You can combat this cycle by improving your sleep hygiene and establishing a healthy routine.
Try going to bed at the same time each night and waking up at the same time each morning. Avoid eating or drinking for a few hours before bed, stop using digital devices at least one hour before bed, and make sure your bedroom environment is cool, calm, and relaxing. If you can’t get to sleep right away, don’t struggle with tossing and turning. Instead, get out of bed for a while and do something relaxing, like meditating or reading. When you start to feel tired, return to your bed and try again.
Write in a Journal
You don’t have to be a professional writer to utilize a journal. It’s a fantastic way to get negative thoughts out and find your voice so you can fight back against them. By setting aside a specific amount of time to journal each day, you’ll become more in-tune with your feelings.
You’ll also be able to look back on past journal entries to see how far you’ve come. That can be extremely beneficial on days when things feel overwhelming or hopeless. You’ll see how strong you are and how much you’ve worked through already.
Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness is more than just a buzzword, no matter how much it’s discussed nowadays. It’s a wonderful self-care tool you can use multiple times daily. While it might feel a little strange at first, mindfulness is simply the practice of staying in the present.
Close your eyes and focus on your breathing and your senses. Listen to what’s around you. How do you feel? What are you experiencing? You’re taking attention away from negative thoughts by putting all of your focus and attention on those things. They might still try to creep in, but mindfulness lets you let them go rather than hold on. You can make mindfulness a part of your daily routine or utilize it when feeling particularly down or overwhelmed.
Get Moving
Most people know how important exercise is for your physical health. It’s just as essential for your mental well-being, especially when you’re struggling with depression. When you’re feeling depressed, getting up to exercise might seem like the last thing you want to do. But, if you can just find the motivation to get moving, you’ll quickly reap the benefits.
Exercise is a natural mood-booster. It will increase the serotonin levels in your brain, give you more energy, and can even make you happier long after the activity is done. Try to find a physical activity you enjoy, like dancing, cycling, or swimming. The more you enjoy something, the more likely you will stick with it.
Everyone should prioritize self-care, but it’s vital when dealing with a mental health condition. If you’re struggling or can’t seem to care for yourself the way you should, consider contacting me for depression treatment. Together, we can work on getting to the root of your depression while developing skills you can use to fight back against negative symptoms, so you can start to take better care of yourself.