Let’s discuss ways to continue living your life despite having depression. On my blog, I typically write about anxiety, but today I want to focus more on depression.
Depression, ah. The possession that so many people possess but which no one wants to discuss.
It reminds me of voodoo in some way. If we do, and no one wants to confess it, then we all feel like there is something wrong with us.
Just to be clear, having depression stinks, but it’s not the worst thing in the world.
How to Continue Living Your Life Despite Depression
If you have trouble with it, that doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you. Depression simply proves your humanity, for real. There are many people with depression who also lead extraordinary lives.
This is done to let you know that if you do battle with it, you have nothing to be embarrassed about.
That’s something I’ve personally discovered the hard way. A few years ago, depression crept into my life, and ever since then, it has made frequent appearances. On some days, it’s not too bad, and I feel okay. But when depression strikes, it strikes quickly. I lost a family member last week, and I wasn’t sure whether I could go back to work and carry on with my life.
When depression strikes, it can actually lead to the belief that you don’t matter, nor do the people in your life, nor does anybody else care if you stop existing.
Your thoughts work against you. Any optimistic thoughts you may have simply vanish, leaving you alone with your evil inner critic, who is doing everything in its power to undermine you.
I try really hard to recall what that feels like on days when my mental state is good. Because I tend to forget when I’m depressed. I wanted to write this essay in support of anyone who is now dealing with depression or has in the past. You can work on it in a couple of the ways listed below. I still have to deal with it, but I manage. And I’m always so appreciative when I succeed in getting through to the other side.
Try to imagine your depression as a cold if you can. Sometimes it will knock you on the backside, and you won’t be able to fight it because of your mental state.
But you have to force yourself to believe that it will pass. And there are numerous ways to control your depression so that it doesn’t become intolerable.
I wish it weren’t quite as potent as it was. It seems like the villain has seized control of your head in a Marvel movie.
Sorry for the excessive analogies… I think you get the idea.
1. Be willing to discuss it with someone.
I am aware that discussing depression is difficult. especially if you are confident that you will be fine, but not now. Additionally, you don’t want other people to suspect a serious problem.
Although depression should be treated seriously, this does not guarantee that others will automatically judge you for your thoughts.
Don’t give up on the notion that no one can possibly comprehend what you are going through. In actuality, the reverse is true. Most people understand; conveying it can just be challenging at times.
You can feel better right away if you chat with the right people.
2. Pay attention to what your mind is saying.
It stands to reason that if you’re depressed, you’ll be listening to the horrible thoughts that are aggravating your condition.
However, try to delve a little deeper to discover what your brain is actually trying to tell you.
Everybody has automatic thoughts and insecurities that we turn to when we’re not feeling our best.
Feelings such as “I’m not good enough.” “I’m not sure what the purpose of life is.” “Nobody is interested in me,” etc.
However, what you’re really feeling is being covered up by these thoughts.
What recent occurrences in your life are causing you to feel this way? Did you lose your job? Have you recently broken up with someone? Do you feel trapped in a job you detest and question whether this is all there is?
Ask yourself why you are thinking negatively all the time. Be sure to dig farther.
The purpose of automatic negative thoughts is to keep you from thinking more deeply about what is troubling you. I
Instead of asking yourself, “How can I improve from this situation?” it is simpler to simply state, “I’m not good at anything.” Was there anything I could have done to make things better?
Work on putting a halt to the self-destruction and practicing mindfulness.
3. Modify your surroundings.
The setting in which we work or live can occasionally be the root of depression.
It may be time to assess whether your career is truly serving you if it doesn’t make you feel your best.
In addition, if your living situation is not perfect, you may need to identify the root of your negative feelings and take steps to address them.
I used to be in a toxic relationship that left me feeling gloomy most of the time. I never felt particularly good when living with him.
I didn’t begin to feel significantly better until I had to forcibly remove myself from the predicament.
If your surroundings are having a negative impact on your mental health, you should feel good about your life. If not, depression may be a sign that you need to make a change for the better.
4. Continue to take small actions, even if you truly don’t want to.
My manager urged me to return to work last week. I was immediately put off by that pressure, never wanting to return.
I gave up and stopped returning his calls. I simply wasn’t prepared to return to work and handle my obligations.
Last week, it made sense to skip work, but it was impossible to avoid it for the rest of my life. I forced myself to return this week and, to be honest, mentally felt a lot better.
When you’re depressed, you won’t believe anything will make a difference. All of these activities—going to the gym, watching a movie, conversing with friends—seem worthless.
But you have to force yourself to keep doing those little things in order to keep from sinking into a deep depression.
If you don’t feel well, it’s acceptable to step away from some obligations. Take care of yourself first.
However, avoiding people and situations and shutting down will only make you feel worse. I can say this from personal experience.
When you want to retreat back to your house and skip your regular routine, try doing one or two things instead.
Perhaps you should call your best friend or take your dog for a short walk around the block. Keep up with the small details since they could genuinely save your life.
5. Make the decision to work on it every day.
Your top priority should be looking after your mental wellness.
It really ought to be everyone’s top priority. You can practically conquer the world once your mental health is in order.
Make it a daily commitment if you want to start making it a top priority.
Make an effort to improve your mental health on a daily basis.
Among the ways to do that are:
– Set aside 5 minutes each day to express yourself in your journal
– Put mindfulness meditation to use
– Take a 30-minute stroll
– Attempt something new every day
– Find something to laugh about
