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I was diagnosed Bi-Polar a few years ago and have a long history of depression and social anxiety. I have recently found a couple things that have helped my depression, and helps me get up and going. These are just things that work for me and I thought I would share.
1- Make your bed. I know it sounds silly. Some people do, some people don't, I was one who never did. About a month ago I remembered this dude in California when I lived there said "Make your bed man!" and those words came back to me out of the blue and I started doing it. Now every morning I say to myself "make your bed man!" (in his west coast surf accent) and not only does it give me a chuckle, it works!
By having my made bed I look at it and it's a sign of a new day.
2- Breakfast. Fuel up with Oatmeal and fruit and water. Try washing your dishes right after you eat to keep "dreaded" tasks from piling up and overwhelming you.
3- Shower!- Wash your body and groom for the day ahead! To me nothing feels better than feeling fresh and clean. To me it is therapy in itself.
So your up, your bed is made, you have fueled up, and your clean. Now what? If possible go for a walk, fresh air can only add to the positive things you just did this morning.
These are just some things I have recently started doing and as a 20 year veteran of depression I can say for me these things combined have almost eliminated my depression. I know we are all different and some have much heavier depression that may not allow you to even get out of bed, all I can say is give it your best.
If you have any "rituals" to help with depression/anxiety please share, I'd like to hear what helps others.
I was diagnosed Bi-Polar a few years ago and have a long history of depression and social anxiety. I have recently found a couple things that have helped my depression, and helps me get up and going. These are just things that work for me and I thought I would share.
1- Make your bed. I know it sounds silly. Some people do, some people don't, I was one who never did. About a month ago I remembered this dude in California when I lived there said "Make your bed man!" and those words came back to me out of the blue and I started doing it. Now every morning I say to myself "make your bed man!" (in his west coast surf accent) and not only does it give me a chuckle, it works!
By having my made bed I look at it and it's a sign of a new day.
2- Breakfast. Fuel up with Oatmeal and fruit and water. Try washing your dishes right after you eat to keep "dreaded" tasks from piling up and overwhelming you.
3- Shower!- Wash your body and groom for the day ahead! To me nothing feels better than feeling fresh and clean. To me it is therapy in itself.
So your up, your bed is made, you have fueled up, and your clean. Now what? If possible go for a walk, fresh air can only add to the positive things you just did this morning.
These are just some things I have recently started doing and as a 20 year veteran of depression I can say for me these things combined have almost eliminated my depression. I know we are all different and some have much heavier depression that may not allow you to even get out of bed, all I can say is give it your best.
If you have any "rituals" to help with depression/anxiety please share, I'd like to hear what helps others.
Good for you!
It's so important to be as proactive as possible when facing depression.
I would offer one more suggestion to your excellent list...
Set a goal for yourself every day.
It doesn't have to be big, just something you can accomplish every single day.
For instance, today I will take a 10 minute walk around the block. Today I will go to the library. Today I will dust my bookshelf. Today I will pray for someone else. Today I will go to the mailbox. Today I will drink more water. Today I will organize my desk. Today I will _________
For instance, today I will take a 10 minute walk around the block. Today I will go to the library. Today I will dust my bookshelf. Today I will pray for someone else. Today I will go to the mailbox. Today I will drink more water. Today I will organize my desk. Today I will _________
Heck, that's good advice for me, and I'm not even depressed!
1. Exercise every day even if just a little walking.
2. Spend time outside with nature every day and as often as you can. It's healing.
3. Keep busy. Helping other people is the best thing you can do. Help someone, even if in a small way every day.
4. Smile at everyone you see. If they don't smile back just move on to the next person to smile at. It's refreshing.
5. Like making your bed and doing the dishes, keep your whole life "picked up". How depressing it is to live in a mess. Keep your place, your car, and your self organized and clean. If it's not that way now do a little bit every day till you have it in shape and then it's not that hard once you get in the habit to keep things in shape.
6. Try to keep up with things on your to do list. I read somewhere that if you start doing things as soon as they need to be done and then work on the older things on your list you will feel better. The wrong way is to keep doing the oldest thing on your list first. Then you are always late with everything. I tried doing the newest things first and it works great. Made me feel better the first day.
Your life is what you make of it. It's not the cards you have been dealt but the way you play them.
I do set a goal each day, even if it's small. I do walk everyday now that the weather is better. Something about putting on the headphones and taking a long walk...always reverses any ill feelings I have, strange how it works really. Being a recovering boozer I think maybe the dopamine rush I get while walking and jamming to my favorite tunes has something to do with it.
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