If you struggle with depression, you know exactly how hard it is to do the things you would normally do – like get out of bed and take an interest in the activities of your daily life. Some days are better than others, but once you start to get help for your condition, you are going to be better off. Taking that first step of asking for help can be incredibly difficult, but you will be better for it. Once you begin to treat depression, you will need to learn to navigate the waters of your life. There are some things that you can do to help yourself get through each day and start to feel a little more like yourself again.
1. Focus On the People Who Love You
You have friends or family or both who care about you and want to see you succeed in your battle against depression. When you are finding it hard to be present, they notice. It is likely that they understand, but if you make the time to focus on the people who love you the most, they will continue to be there when you need their love and support. Try to cut down on distractions during the time you spend with your loved ones so that you can be as present as possible.
2. Take Your Medication to Treat Depression
If your doctor has prescribed some kind of anti-depressant to you, there is likely a need for it. Like most other medication takers, when you start to feel better, you may want to stop taking it. This is a completely normal thing to feel, but it does not work for anti-depressants. The only time you should stop taking your medication is if you have spoken to your doctor about it first.
3. Keep Goals Small and Realistic
Setting small goals can be very important. When you take a big goal and break it into smaller parts, it can give you a sense of accomplishment and a sense that you are working toward something. Keeping your goals realistic can give you the same things. You have to make your goals something that you can actually undertake. Creating unrealistic goals can serve to make you feel like you are overwhelmed and sinking. Small, realistic goals are a real morale boost.
4. Give Back
Depression can sometimes turn a person toward doing mostly things that are self-centered rather than others-centered. Taking a little bit of time to give back and focus on what you can do for others can go a long way toward your healing. You can give back in very simple ways like saying something nice to one of your family members or buying coffee for a co-worker. Giving back could also be a bigger volunteer effort like helping at a soup kitchen, an afterschool program, or a food bank. Volunteering is a great way to connect with people and a great way to get out of your own head and start making a difference in the lives of other people.
5. Exercise
Whether you have depression or not, exercise is one of the best things that you can do for your mind and your body. Not only does exercise keep your body healthy, but it also keeps your mind fresh and your organs functioning properly. Taking a walk outside can give you the time and space to think and process some of your emotions. It is also good for getting that dose of Vitamin D that so many of us are lacking in our daily lives.
You are not going to be 100 percent successful all of the time. You are not going to be able to be perfect and win the battle every day. But the best you can do is fight each day and rejoice in the wins. Be happy when each day you can wake up and try again. You can keep going, and you can keep fighting. Let go of days when you are not as successful as you want to be and hold tight to days when you are more successful than you think you can be.
Depression is a battle that you can win. To begin the journey, contact us today.
