Viewing depression as a tendency rather than an illness puts you behind the wheel, so to speak, and may help you change your life. Here are 10 ways to find inspiration to take on daily life... despite depression.
1. Learn to identify the negative thoughts and worries that are fueling your depression so you can replace them with positive, more realistic thoughts.
2. Depression causes you to be absorbed in your own thoughts. To counter this as you go about your daily routine, focus your thoughts on the outside world.
3. Regretting events in the past or fixating on unknown challenges in the future can overwhelm you. Both habits can keep you from being active in the present. Instead, give your full attention to where you are in the present moment. When you open your curtains in the morning, take note of the sunshine streaming in. Don't immediately start worrying about work or other aspects of the day to come.
4. Exercising three to five times weekly for 30 to 60 minutes can provide mental health benefits because exercise is a good way to get "out of your head" and focus on moment-to-moment sensations, such as your breathing and movements.
5. Many people with anxiety or depression stop trusting their own judgment. You can learn to take action when you're depressed by developing more trust in your instincts. Strive to make choices, even if that's as simple as choosing whether to buy chocolate or vanilla ice cream. As you gain the confidence to act rather than stew over your decisions, you'll get back in the habit of living your life instead of being absorbed in depression.
6. Try to stay active, even if that only means doing simple activities. Just getting up and walking outside lifts you out of the inertia of sitting at home indefinitely.
7. As you strive to do normal activities while you’re depressed, staying socially connected should be part of your efforts. By getting out and being active, you’ll be focused on an important goal, and your loved ones can also offer support and encouragement.
8. People with depression often feel as if their actions must be perfect or else they've failed. Not only does this prevent them from getting started, but it can foster continued depression. When you're working on motivation during depression, allow yourself to accept less-than-perfect results.
9. If a constant flow of e-mails and phone calls is interrupting your train of thought, you may be diverted from the more important tasks you need to accomplish. If this is a challenge for you, resist the urge to constantly check your e-mail, and allow your phone calls to be handled by voicemail. Set aside several times throughout the day to respond to these messages.
10. When possible, ask co-workers or family members to take on some of your tasks if you have too much on your plate. For example, ask your spouse for help with housework, or get suggestions from your boss on how to tackle a big project at work.
1. Learn to identify the negative thoughts and worries that are fueling your depression so you can replace them with positive, more realistic thoughts.
2. Depression causes you to be absorbed in your own thoughts. To counter this as you go about your daily routine, focus your thoughts on the outside world.
3. Regretting events in the past or fixating on unknown challenges in the future can overwhelm you. Both habits can keep you from being active in the present. Instead, give your full attention to where you are in the present moment. When you open your curtains in the morning, take note of the sunshine streaming in. Don't immediately start worrying about work or other aspects of the day to come.
4. Exercising three to five times weekly for 30 to 60 minutes can provide mental health benefits because exercise is a good way to get "out of your head" and focus on moment-to-moment sensations, such as your breathing and movements.
5. Many people with anxiety or depression stop trusting their own judgment. You can learn to take action when you're depressed by developing more trust in your instincts. Strive to make choices, even if that's as simple as choosing whether to buy chocolate or vanilla ice cream. As you gain the confidence to act rather than stew over your decisions, you'll get back in the habit of living your life instead of being absorbed in depression.
6. Try to stay active, even if that only means doing simple activities. Just getting up and walking outside lifts you out of the inertia of sitting at home indefinitely.
7. As you strive to do normal activities while you’re depressed, staying socially connected should be part of your efforts. By getting out and being active, you’ll be focused on an important goal, and your loved ones can also offer support and encouragement.
8. People with depression often feel as if their actions must be perfect or else they've failed. Not only does this prevent them from getting started, but it can foster continued depression. When you're working on motivation during depression, allow yourself to accept less-than-perfect results.
9. If a constant flow of e-mails and phone calls is interrupting your train of thought, you may be diverted from the more important tasks you need to accomplish. If this is a challenge for you, resist the urge to constantly check your e-mail, and allow your phone calls to be handled by voicemail. Set aside several times throughout the day to respond to these messages.
10. When possible, ask co-workers or family members to take on some of your tasks if you have too much on your plate. For example, ask your spouse for help with housework, or get suggestions from your boss on how to tackle a big project at work.