Self Care and Depression

Depression hits hard. One day you're feeling normal and the next you don't want to get out of bed. This feeling can stay for days, weeks, and even months once it starts. The worst part is once the spiral starts, it's incredibly difficult to claw your way back up. There are some things you can do to try and keep yourself grounded to the world instead of just continually falling into depression.

1) Get Clean

When you're feeling low it can become incredibly hard to do even the simplest tasks for self care. Depression causes us to lose track of whats most important: ourselves. The thought of taking a shower or a bath can become impossible when you don't even have the energy to get out of bed. The thing is, tasks such as showering or brushing your teeth are normally the first step to feeling better. Taking a washcloth and washing important areas (face, under arms, etc.) might help. Even something small like brushing your hair can make you feel a little more human.

2) Chores

This one is a little more difficult for some people. Usually when you are depressed, everything around you seems to fall apart. You don't have the energy to do anything, so your house becomes a mess. The more messy it gets, the more you spiral and stress because of all the things that need to be done that you don't have the energy to do. A quick fix to this is to start small and build up over a few days. The giant pile of laundry might seem impossible at the moment, but the little bit of trash on your nightstand might be a little more doable. Changing your bed sheets or even just making your bed are good ways to start cleaning up as well.

3) Get Some Light

Getting outside doesn't necessarily mean you have to go anywhere. If you don't have the energy to clean you definitely don't have the energy to run a marathon or even a simple walk around the neighborhood. Honestly, just getting some sunlight in your home without really going outside is a good way in it's own to feeling better, Open those curtains! If you're feeling up for it, go sit outside for a few minutes and let the sun warm you. Walking isn't a necessity, at least for a day or two.

4) Eat

Eat an apple. A banana. A small bag of chips. A sandwich. Just some ham and turkey. Eating is so important when you're depressed because it's so easy to forget. Eating simple, somewhat healthy foods are a great way to feel just little bit better. Living off peanut butter M&Ms and string cheese is not going to do anything for you nourishment wise or mental wise. Yes, healthy foods are expensive and making a full meal is draining, but simple things such as fruit or a pre-made salad are great alternatives.

5) Stress-free Entertainment

What was it you really like to do? Something small you enjoy that takes up quite a bit of your time? Some people like to knit. Some people like to play video games. It goes without saying that when we have some form of entertainment around that we enjoy, and that takes up our time, it's going to take at least some of the depression away. There's millions of cheap adult coloring books out there that are perfect. There's thousands of peaceful video games. There's something for everyone out there!

Depression is an awful mental illness to have, but it's even worse when you decide not to take care of yourself. When it hits we forget to do even the smallest of things for ourselves. Doing small things throughout the day to take care of yourself is one of the best ways to combat depression.

Note: If you are feeling seriously depressed and have thoughts of harming yourself or others please contact your local law enforcement or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for your country.

United States: 1-800-273-8255

UK: 08457909090