When we are feeling down and experiencing symptoms of depression, we often put off important tasks or even hanging out with friends. When we are depressed, we do not always want to do anything. Do you ever feel like when you listen to your depression and do nothing, it only makes it worse? Doing nothing makes our depression worse because then we may end up feeling guilty or like we misspent our time.
You may even feel like you have not gotten enough done and then you feel worse about yourself. Those of us with depression can end up judging ourselves, so during times when we do need rest, we convince ourselves that we should have been getting things done and that resting is bad. It can all be a vicious cycle, but when we choose to do nothing, it only makes our depression worse.
Signs of depression:
Those who have signs of depression may have a hard time getting out of bed and always feel exhausted.
- You have a hard time feeling happy or connecting with others
Being depressed can take away our want to be surrounded by others because of lack of interest.
- You are irritable or have outbursts
Depression may cause you to have a fluctuation of moods. These moods can occur with little things and may seem like they come out of nowhere.
- Lack of drive or interest
When dealing with depression, it is hard to accomplish our goals or even have goals because it may seem like everything always goes wrong.
When depressed we can either eat more to fill the void or even choose not to eat enough because of feeling not hungry or uninterested in food.
Coping Strategies:
- Stay connected
As much as you do not want to stay connected with family and friends when feeling low, talk to friends and family to help you feel better and to just have support.
- Stay away from alcohol/drugs
You may think it is just one drink, but one can turn into many. Drinking can also lower our mood and cause our depression to be worse.
- Get enough exercise
Any form of exercise can help us reduce stress hormones and increase happiness hormones. Walking a few minutes each day is better than nothing and can help substantially.
When we have a routine or schedule, we are less likely to do nothing and let the depression overwhelm us. We must try creating a schedule, waking up early, eating healthy foods, completing tasks, and going to bed at a decent time.
- Ask for help
If your depression is getting worse and unmanageable, reach out to a doctor or therapist for help. Therapy is a great option for learning to cope with your depression.
Dealing with depression daily is very challenging and we all need support from time to time. Some individuals have ups and downs with their depression, and it can also come and go without notice or reason. Pay attention to your depression and whether it is getting worse or more manageable. No one has to have a specific reason to feel depressed. Take the steps to better manage your depression to live a happier and more fulfilled life.
Even though it is difficult, go outside, talk to a friend on the phone, go get coffee with someone, these little things can make a huge difference when it comes to managing our depression. Know that everyone’s depression is different and what helps someone else may not always help you. Reach out to a trained therapist today to help conquer your depression and live a more fulfilled life. It is never too late to get the help you need. For immediate help, contact the national suicide and crisis hotline at 988.
