Battling depression is hard, that's just a fact. While therapy and medication are excellent options, there are small, achievable goals that everyone struggling with depression can reach. It's all about taking one step at a time, one day at a time. You've got this, I know it.
1. Hate that person or thing that triggers your depression
Hate is such a strong word. I use to tell myself that I would never give someone that amount of power over me. But when I learned to hate someone, that was my way of no longer caring about that person. I got my power back by not allowing that individual to have control over my emotions anymore.
2. Do something you love every day
I have a shirt that says, do more of what makes you happy. Maybe you like to draw, listen to music, cook, or play sports. Pick something that you like to do and do that every day.
3. Drink water, not alcohol
Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate. Your body can truly never have enough water. Staying hydrated is really a make it or break it between you feeling energized or feeling nauseous and blah. Water also helps your skin glow and your digestive system stay on track. And you know what they say, look good feel good!
4. Weed out the toxicity in your life
Whether the toxicity is coming from a job, a relationship, or from a person, it needs to go. Who you allow in your life is one thing you can control. I've personally had toxic friends and family members that I had to remove from my life because they were negatively impacting my mental health. It does not matter if that person is your mom or dad. If they are toxic then they need to be removed from your life.
5. Talk it out
Talking is something many of us hate doing, especially men. If you talk about your struggles then it makes them more real and that's terrifying for many. It is a scary thing to be vulnerable and let someone in. That's when having a therapist that you can talk to openly can be very beneficial. They have one job, and that's to listen to you.
6. Get your body moving
I work in retail so I am constantly moving around. But many people have desk jobs that they sit at for eight hours a day. Go to the gym or do yoga. Even if you're only walking for thirty minutes a day or stretching before bed. The movement will get those chemicals in your brain to start working in your favor.
7. Love yourself
This one may sound odd and open-ended but that's ok because you can make it your own. For me, I get my nails done every two weeks. When I have the acrylics on, they prevent me from biting my nails. They also make me feel like I can do anything in the world. Your thing could be taking a bubble bath once a week or watching your favorite show on Netflix.
8. Only put good things into your body
Food is huge. You can not eat tons of sugar and expect to feel ok. You need a balanced diet. And I use the word diet very lightly because every single one of us is different. But at the end of the day, we need to eat our fruits and veggies and keep the junk food to a minimum.
9. Set goals for yourself
When you have something to look forward to, it makes you sort of excited. It could be something like lunch with a friend, a goal weight you want to be at, or an appointment you're looking forward to. For me, I can not wait for Wednesday because I have therapy. It's something to look forward to.
10. Remember how loved you are
This is a hard one. When you're at your lowest, all you see is the bad. But somehow, try to remember that people care about you. You're not alone in this journey. There are people that want to help and want to see you succeed. Don't give up.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline — 1-800-273-8255
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