Who Stole My Joy Part 2 – Depression & Self-Care
Bon Voyage! Those are two words I love to hear, because I love cruising. If you don’t, what about an all-inclusive five-star resort? While the journey to get here wasn’t enjoyable, my life now feels like a five-star vacation compared to the depressed life I left behind. Yours can too, if you use the helpful self-care tips outlined below.
Let’s address each of the symptoms of depression we discussed in Who Stole My Joy – Part 1.
Depression Symptoms & Self-Care
- Negative Mindset. When you catch yourself having negative thoughts, start counting your blessings. Here’s how – make a Blessings Box or buy a beautifully decorated one. Then, when you think of one of God’s blessings, write it on a slip of colorful, fun paper and place it in your box. It can be as simple as a roof over your head (even if it’s not your own), food on the table (even if it’s not what you wanted), a job (even if it’s minimum wage or digging ditches), or eyesight. While it might not seem like it, you are blessed if you have any of these things because so many others don’t.
- Concentration/Focus. Simplify your life for a while by stepping back from your commitments. Find help where needed. Shocking truth – the world will go on without your help. I didn’t believe it either, but it’s true.
- Anxiety/Agitation. When you feel yourself getting anxious, stop and think about what caused you to feel that way. Identify the trigger. Was it a movie, a song, or the combination of noises in a crowded room? Once you’ve identified it, plan how you’ll avoid it in the future.
- Diet. Plan a menu with well-balanced food choices and drink lots of water. Set a timer to remind yourself to eat, if necessary. Just like your car needs fuel to run, your body needs food to function. Remember – eating is about energy, not about entertainment.
- Energy. Set an alarm and force yourself to get out of bed, cleaned up, and dressed every day. Also, get at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day. It doesn’t have to be weight training or aerobics, just take a walk, but do it every day. Newton had it right on this one – a body in motion stays in motion, and a body at rest stays at rest. If you want more energy, exert more energy. I know that seems counter-intuitive, but it works.
- Sleep. Establish a bedtime routine. Go to sleep and wake up at the same time each day. Do the same things each night as you prepare for bed. Eliminate all computers and hand-held electronics after about 8:00 pm. When you can’t pull yourself out of bed, refer to the tips under Energy. When you can’t sleep, try journaling.
- Giving Up. When you’ve lost hope of ever getting better, or don’t want to try anymore, contact your local mental health professional, employee assistance helpline, or the suicide hotline. It can, and will, get better if you get help. I promise! I’ve been there, so I understand.
- Spiritual Dryness. Focus on what you do have rather than what you don’t. Refer to the self-care tips under Negative Mindset if you need help. Also, start a spiritual journal. Fill it with the blessings you counted earlier. Record prayer requests from others to put your life in perspective. And don’t forget to include answered prayers. Then, set aside time daily to meditate on a devotional or scripture, and record what God shows you.
I may not know who, or what, stole your joy, but I do know it’s still out there waiting to be reclaimed. So, don’t wait; start using these self-care tips today. It won’t be quick, or easy, but it will be worth it.
Need help implementing these self-care strategies in your own life? Check out my Joy Journal. It’s a combination planner/journal to help support attempts to manage your emotions and make positive habit changes.
Need more inspiration and encouragement? Join me on Facebook on the Sadness to Joy page. That’s where you’ll find the daily encouragement and accountability you need to help bring your plan into existence.
The trip of a lifetime is waiting. Bon Voyage!
What strategies do you use to overcome your depression symptoms?
