Tips For Tackling Depression
- Figure out what lifts your spirits and make a list you can refer to when you start to feel down. Try watching movies that make you laugh, exercising, playing with a pet, or go to your favorite coffee shop or restaurant.
- Get moving! Take a brisk walk, go up and down the stairs, or do some jumping jacks. Just 30 minutes daily can make a huge impact.
- Keep a journal. Take some time each night to write down three things you're grateful for and three things you achieved that day. Look back at previous journal entries to remind yourself of all the positive things in your life.
- Contact your Employee Assistance Program and make an appointment with a counselor. Taking that first step can make you feel like you've made progress, give you a sense of control over your condition, and hope for the future.
- If your to-do list seems to be growing, take a few moments to determine how much time it actually takes to complete each task. Start with quick tasks and build up momentum to taking care of the more time-consuming ones.
- Call someone you trust and ask them to talk or even just sit with you. Having a non-judgmental person present can help you open up, or at least feel less alone.
- Challenge the negative thoughts about yourself. Being depressed may make you feel like you don't deserve good things to happen or that something you did was horrible. But if a loved one told you they were feeling that way - what would you say to them?
