During times when you’re feeling “low,” it can be very hard to be yourself and feel energized. You find yourself lying in bed through your 9 a.m. class, and then contemplating whether or not to try to go to your 11 a.m. You simply ignore that text from your best friend asking to hang out. But this is not how it has to be. There are things you can do to show your depression who is boss. Here are a few ways that you can be bigger than your depression and start to feel better.
1. Always say “I have depression” not “I am depressed.”
Labeling yourself as the disease is more self-deprecating than it appears on the surface. You are not your mental illness. You wouldn’t go up to somebody and say “I am a broken leg,” you would say “I have a broken leg.” If you are a dancer, writer or singer, have that be your defining characteristic, not a chemical imbalance.
2. Make a routine
Instead of staying in bed through that 9 a.m. class, consistently get up at 8 a.m. every morning and do it the same way every time. Not only will your body match your new rhythm, but so will your mental health. On days when it’s particularly hard, just keep your routine glued in your memory and power through it. You can do this.
3. Set goals
This goes hand in hand with making a routine, but adds responsibility to it. Set goals that are not too difficult to achieve, but push you just enough. Smaller tasks are recommended on very hard days. Your first goal will be to get out of bed, and from there make it almost game-like by adding more and more goals. Brush your teeth, take a shower, eat some food, say hi to someone in the elevator, etc. Just do it bit by bit, almost like chewing off chunks of the day to make it easier to swallow.
4. Argue with your negative feelings and thoughts
If your mind starts cycling with horrible thoughts that beat your self-esteem into dust, you need to fight back. Is you mind is telling you that you are useless? Are you actually? I assure you that you have been useful to at least one person in the last 48 hours. Go through this thought process with every cycle. Soon you will be the master of your depression.
5. Change your diet
I know, I know, everybody says this, but it wouldn’t be such a popular suggestion if it didn’t work for many people. Eating more vegetables, trading that burger for a salad and eating a banana every morning will make a huge impact on your mood. Processed foods and sugary concoctions should be avoided.
You are so much stronger than the chemicals going on in your brain. Don’t let your depression become you. You are special, unique and worth so much more than your depression lets you think. Please take the necessary precautions during a low period and talk to people about what is going on.
If your depression leads to thoughts of self-harm, do not hesitate to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255