Tools For Beating Back Depression

I’m really struggling today. Well not only today but for the last couple of weeks. Ever since the holiday season began I’ve been really having a difficult go of it. It just seems that my depression has decided to go on a journey and find itself a deeper hole to crawl into it.

If there is a good thing about this latest trip down Black Cloud Lane is that this time I know of some things I can do to try and put the brakes and hopefully put it into reverse.

So here’s some of my “Tools For Beating Back Depression.”

Wash the stink off

I know this might sound like an obvious thing to do. One would think that instead of running around the room sniffing everything like a dog I’d realize that stink isn’t some forgotten science experiment gone bad, but my own dirty self!

Honestly! I just realized it’s been days since I took a shower. Yes, I know. I must stink more than a hog farm on a windy day! But when you’re depressed the simplest thing like taking a shower just becomes something that slips by the wayside.

So if you’re feeling depressed try taking a shower.

Get Out! No really… GET OUT!

Take it from one pale as the walking dead; vampire to the next, getting out of the house and going for a walk does work. Sure, the sun may be our arch enemy, but it is also the enemy of depression.

Granted, I admit that getting up enough strength to go for a walk might be too much depending on just was sub-basement your depression lives on. But even going out on the patio or stepping out back can help.

We’ve all heard our therapists, doctors, clinicians, family members, and pet dogs tell us that we need to go outside more. And you know what? They’re right.

If for no other reason than just to say that we did it. Getting outside a little bit each day can help soak up any black ink left around by depression.

Do Something. ANYTHING!

I’m not sure about you but I notice my depression tends to sneak up on me when I’ve been idle too long. Now what is too long is a matter up for debate.

But anytime you’re sitting idle and all of a sudden you notice that you’re depression has snuck up and bit you like a tick on Sunday. Well, that’s just too long.

And there is only one cure for that, doing something… ANYTHING!

Well, anything within reason. Don’t go off hurting yourself.

But trust me! If you’re doing something productive you can’t help but feel a lil better when you’re finished.

Finally…

Blab about how you feel

No, that’s not a typo. I really do mean blab. You know talk? Call up a family member, friend or some other supporter and talk to them. Tell them how you’re really feeling.

Letting someone know that you’re feeling lower than a snail’s but on a rainy day can really help.

And if you really just can’t muster up the energy to call, text, email, Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or meet someone, how about journaling it?

Take for example this post. It’s actually helped me crawl out of my funk a lil bit. No longer am I feeling like Shleprock walking around saying, “Wowzie. Wowzie. Woo, Woo!”

So what are your tips for getting out of a funk? Let’s share them and maybe we can put together and find a whole arsenal of ways to beat back depression.