Recovering From A Depressive Episode: 8 Things You Should Do
Being in a situation where your mind is working against you is a scary scenario, and it happens to more people than society would mention or admit publicly.
The blues may get you down now because of a difficult situation or another trigger. Bounce back slowly but surely with these simple steps. Remember to take it easy and be gentle with yourself as you do so.
Here are eight ways that can help you recover from depression.
Table of Contents
Set Really Small Goals
Now is not the time to beat your best records at work or even in your hobbies. Make your checklist as short and simple as humanly possible. Some goals to include are
- Eating complete meals in a day
- Avoiding caffeine or sugar
- Fixing your bed in the morning after waking up
These may all seem insignificant, but the ability to do these simple things and check it off your list will lead you to do more productive tasks in the coming days. Remember to start slowly and be patient.
Take A Shower And Practice Good Grooming
One of the first things to go when experiencing depression is good grooming and hygiene. Strangely, this is not often discussed in therapy but is considered a telling symptom if things have gone from bad to worse psychologically. This may be the perfect time for you to shower in your most favorite soap flavor and wear your best lipstick, even if you are just staying home.
Do this even if you do not feel like it. The ability to groom yourself gives you a sense of control at a time where you probably feel powerless or view your own life and actions as a disconnected outsider rather than an engaged and alive being.
Try Something Safe And New
Finding some guitar lessons in South Jordan is a great idea. Try new and safe activities that can divert your attention, albeit temporarily. This can help you get moving somewhat. If this does not work, try the next tip.
Try Something Old And Comforting
Some people dislike trying new safe hobbies when depressed. They can instead take solace or comfort from familiar things that are easy. For example, a freelance writer may opt to target a half page or a single page of work as a minimum when suffering from depression.
Talk To A Friend
Sharing the burden helps somewhat. You can talk to a friend about your struggles or get a hold of someone who is sympathetic enough to listen to your problems. Alternatively, you can also seek professional help and talk to a therapist so you can get the medications if you need them.
Medicate If Necessary (Don’t be Ashamed about It)
With a professional supervising you, make sure you take the right dosage and type of antidepressants. This will help normalize the cocktail of hormones in your brain that is making you feel out of sorts. If it’s necessary, cooperate and do not resist the treatment being prescribed to you.
Meditate, Forgive, And Be Kind To Yourself
Depression is the time where everything goes wrong and you feel like all of it is your fault. While that may partly be true, being harsh on yourself will not make the situation any better. Meditate on goodness and loving kindness, forgive yourself and others as quickly as you can, and send yourself a lot of love. You really need to love yourself genuinely to bounce back quickly instead of do regretful things that can harm you even further.
Depression only leads to despair when it has taken a full foothold in your mind. Try to make a preventive measure of not hitting rock bottom before trying these tips. If it’s not avoidable to have a depressive episode, take courage and be hopeful even if everything else inside you does not feel like it. It will get better in time.