Thousands of Americans live with depressive disorders, anxiety disorders or maybe even both. As someone who lives with both, over the years I have discovered some really great coping mechanisms which I would like to share with the world. Maybe some of these will help you as well!

This won’t be a typical list that will talk about meditation or coloring. Though those things really do help, I have learned over the years to take a little bit more of a creative approach when dealing with what anxiety and depression has thrown at me.

Wikipedia = Your New Best Friend

Your teachers and professors probably tell you that Wikipedia is not a reliable source. And I mean, they’re right. I am totally against using the site as a viable source of information for 99% of papers and projects. I actually enjoy using Wikipedia for viewing lists of things. Yes. Lists. Some of my favorite searches have been: “Every Flavor of Gatorade Ever” and “Every Type of Cereal Ever”. Once I find one I’m intrigued by, I open up a different window and research it. It’s a really soothing exercise that can distract the brain from whatever chemical imbalance is going on there. Distractions are key for depression and anxiety and with this type of distraction you can learn some useless knowledge to share with your friends!

Cleaning Shoes and Sneakers

This has always been a strange hobby of mine. I assure you, though. There is nothing in this world more satisfying than taking a dirty pair of kicks and cleansing them of their impurities – you know, the dirt, the scuffs and the denim stains. There are many different types of cleaning products if you really want to get into the art of sneaker and shoe cleaning, The best, in my experience, come from Angelus Direct. Look ‘em up on Google and check some of their stuff out.

Collecting

It could be anything – coins, scarves, old movies…literally anything. If you have enough stuff collected, not only is it satisfying, but then you can toy around with your items. Fixing things into position and organizing are great ways to help with anxiety and depression. It will keep you focused and help you to feel accomplished and fulfilled in some way. As for me, I have a large collection of CDs and action figures. I find myself constantly reorganizing them and finding other ways to display them. It really gets the serotonin flowing.

Go Exploring

Yea, it sounds kind of immature but…not really. When I was having a rough time away at school, I found that walking around campus by myself looking for new places was really helpful. When everything seems to be in black in white and moving in slow motion, a change of scenery really helps you view things Technicolor. Go for a walk around your neighborhood and see what you can find. Go with a friend if you’re worried about getting lost.

Betta Fish

One of the most soothing activities I take part in is watching my betta fish, Dobby, swim around in his tank. If you don’t have the time to take on the responsibility of a dog or a cat, a fish is the best way to go. Betta fish are usually under ten dollars to buy and you can find them at almost every local pet store. It’s fun to decorate and clean the tanks too. Taking care of another creature is one of the best ways to feel better; especially during a depressive anxiety-induced episode.

Like I said before: these tips may not help everyone, as every person’s situation is unique, but they sure help me!