Feeling Depressed? Here are several tips to may help you cope and get through today.
While no one has the fix all for depression, understand that you are not alone. Please seek help if you are in a real crisis. You matter. You are not alone. The world would NOT be a better place without you.
Take a Shower
Not a bath, a shower. Use the water as hot or as cold as you like. You don’t even need to wash. Just get in under the water and let it run over you for a while. Sit on the floor if you want to…there is something magical about the water flowing over you.
Moisturize Your Skin
Grab what ever lotion you have on hand. It doesn’t matter. Apply it liberally all over your body. The process of applying lotion does seem to have a calming reaction.
Get Dressed
Find comfortable clothes to put on including your favorite undergarments. Have a pair of undergarments that make you smile? Put them on. Or perhaps some that make you laugh…yep put them on. Get dressed including washing your face, teeth, and combing your hair. Get dressed enough that if you wanted to go for a walk down the street, or perhaps sit at the park, you would be comfortable. The process of getting dressed in clean clothes signals our brain that we have things to do.
Drink Ice Water
The colder the water the better. Add your favorite flavoring. Try to avoid adding sugary things.
Clean or Pick Up
You don’t need to tackle the entire house. Empty the dishwasher. Stack dishes in sink and run soapy water over them to sock. Organize one drawer in kitchen or dresser. Start a load of laundry. Set a timer for 5 minutes and pick up an area.
Play Your Favorite Music
Listen to something upbeat and makes you move.. and play it loud! Make sure it is something that gives off a lot of energy vs ballads. Sing to it, dance to it… just move to the beat.
Prepare Something to Eat
Don’t snack or binge on grab and go things. Look in fridge in pantry and find something to prepare for yourself. Even if it is only Ramen noodles or a can of soup. Add your favorite seasonings. The point is you do not want to stuff yourself on carb heavy food and have to deal with the sugar crash in an hour.
Create Something
Grab a pen or pencil and write a story, draw a picture, or just do a brain dump to clear your thoughts. Or grab your gel pens or crayons and color a picture or two. Write a poem or a letter to someone. Grab your unfinished craft and work on it for 15 minutes. The act of creating something pulls our thought processes to a better place.
Get Some Fresh Air
Yep, that means go outside – even if it is cold, wet, hot, humid…you get the point. If weather permitting, take a walk. Grab a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine in your yard. If the weather is bad, bring that blanket and wrap up while you sit on the porch. Set a timer for 15 minutes.
Talk to Someone
Grab your phone and call a friend. Make that phone call to a loved one, friend, or family member. Start a conversation with someone and breathe in their voice. If you are not in the mental state to talk on the phone, send a text or voice message to someone letting them know that you are struggling. Amwell is an online service for all sorts of medical and therapy. Give them a call. And you can always text or call 988 on your device any time of the day or night. By talking to someone, you are getting out your head and directing your thoughts to a safer topic.
Snuggle up with your furbabies
Play a game with your pet or snuggle up with them. Talk to them, Offer them treats and enjoy interacting with them. Snap a few pictures or a video with them. Tell them how you feel. Animals are so sensitive. They pick up on our feelings and can offer a great deal of comfort if we let them.
Some of these things may seem small or silly to some people, but if these small/little tips keep someone alive….they are priceless to me.
Also try to remember:
When you are at your ABSOLUTE BEST you won’t be good enough for the wrong people.
However, when you are at your ABSOLUTE WORST, you are still valuable to the right people. You will always be valued to them.
Don’t give up
Keep holding on
Be kind to yourself
It is okay to REST. It is okay to say that you are not in a good place. Just don’t quit.
Those battling depression don’t fake it. In fact, they are the ones that are professionals at faking being okay!
If you need to reach out to someone privately, call 988 from your land or mobile phone.
All calls and text messages are routed the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline call center. The Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress.
What other tips have you found to be helpful during a time of coping with depression? Share them below in the comment area.
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