The Daily Battle
Dealing with depression is exhausting. Whether you are battling feelings of sadness, hopelessness, worthlessness, or physical symptoms like fatigue, poor appetite, and restless sleep, it can often feel like your body and mind are at war with each other. However, it is important to remember that while depression can feel lonely, you are not alone.
Millions of people manage depression each year. And while some days you may feel too tired, there are small steps you can take to make your days a little brighter:
Celebrate the Little Things
Managing depression can feel incredibly overwhelming. You may face difficult days that are hard to get out of bed, and sometimes you may have to force yourself to shower. While those feel like mundane tasks that don’t need to be celebrated, they should be! If you are able to combat your depressive feelings and get out of bed, you should reward yourself for that. No success is too big or too small, and you should recognize them all.
Feel the Sunshine
During the fall and winter months, sunshine is limited, and people may experience seasonal depression. However, the sun has a significant impact on both your physical and mental health!
Whether you choose to sit outside and read a book or go for a walk, exposing your body to the sun’s rays provides many benefits.
Allowing yourself to feel the sunshine will improve your mood, enhance your sleep quality, and reduce your blood pressure. It also will increase your body’s vitamin D, a nutrient that plays a significant role in depression.
Even in cooler temperatures, sun safety is still important to protect your skin’s health. Be sure to wear sunblock, sunglasses, and a hat, to reduce your risk of sunburns.
Start Journaling
Writing in a journal is highly therapeutic and recommended to help fight depression. Journaling provides you the opportunity to self-reflect on emotions and communicate them in a safe place. Another benefit of journaling is the lack of structure and rules. With writing in school, you are often graded on grammar and spelling. However, with writing in your journal, you create the rules! You have the ability to let your thoughts flow freely, and you may even surprise yourself with what you write.
Journaling can also help you create an attitude of gratitude. Some journals come with specific prompts, encouraging you to write about specific moments and things you are grateful for. This overall will create feelings of positivity and happiness.
Set Achievable Goals
Depression can make any small task feel large. If you have a to-do list, the tasks may seem daunting and overwhelming. Try breaking the tasks down into smaller steps that feel more achievable. Instead of feeling like you have to clean the entire house, start by taking out the trash. Rather than telling yourself to do the laundry, sort your clothes into color-coordinated piles. Taking small steps one at a time leads to more success and completion of tasks.
Remember Self-Care
In moments your depression is heightened, you may lose sight of taking care of yourself. Remember to eat nutrient-rich meals, get adequate amounts of sleep, and schedule time to do something you enjoy. Self-care looks different for everyone — some may treat themselves to a spa day, while others go shopping, take cooking classes, or go on a hike. Whatever it may be that you love, be certain to allow yourself to do it.
Change Starts at Decision Point Center
Decision Point Center is Arizona’s premier leader in alcohol and drug addiction treatment. We understand that to truly recover from addiction, it is critical to address any underlying mental health issues. That is why we offer programs that guide individuals through all parts of recovery, helping them reach their highest peak.
We truly believe that help starts here, and we are ready to help you on your journey. Contact us online today or call us at (844) 292-5010 to get started.