But what do you do when your constantly wishing you were dead and your parents don't understand a thing that comes out of your mouth because god forbid their child has a "nonexistent" sadness, when there are "more important" things to focus on.
You muster up what little energy you have. You find yourself a mantra that helps you deal with day to day and you take small steps. Whether it is getting out of bed and doing something walking around the block to clear your head, calling a loved one, family or friend (call them to talk not text)Cultivate a network of supportive friends. Depression is like a fog that can consume us making it difficult to know where we are going and what we are doing. It can seem easier just to be alone but it will only make it worse. By nature the fog is heavy and although you may feel you don’t have the energy every supportive friendship created and maintained is a lantern in the fog to help guide you from its oppressive strangle.It is important to keep regular and healthy social interaction with people. Go out for coffee or a movieGo for a walk with someoneMake a phone callask someone to check in on youLet your emotions out every once in a whileOne of the most difficult things about depression is how it can make everything seem so hopeless and negative, how the future seems to empty and every encounter so pathetic.But this type of pessimistic chains can be broken. With the strength you have within yourself you need to challenge the way you think and constantly reassess your what you think. Remember you aren’t perfect no one is and we all make mistakes this is very much a part of life. Don’t hold yourself accountable for the world.Think back to previous thoughts when you are in a lighter mood and reassess whether it was warranted and see if there is something you can do to avoid those thoughts next time you face that obstacle.Try to socialize with people that don’t bring you down, positive people with attitudes that are uplifting. If you have people in your life constantly bringing you down, make them aware of the negative impact they are having and ask them to stop, if it continues you need to let them go.IN the fog of depression you may find yourself doing absolutely nothing but dwelling on the problems in your life and while you can’t force yourself to have fun in a black empty hole you can certainly try to bring some light into the fog. Your own smile is one of the best ways to combat the darkness . Find things that you enjoy doing or used to enjoy doing and actually do them. You might think i can’ be bothered or i don’t really feel like it but if you actually go and do it you will feel a lot better. Expressing yourself creatively is always helpful and if you can play an instrument it is a good outlet otherwise learning to do so will really help, if you aren’t musically minded, try writing or painting any form of art can greatly benefit your feelings. It doesn’t have to sound or look good just as long as you can get some feelings out. Go out into nature every once in a while and surround yourself in the beauty that is the wildlife. Watch a comedy movie, read a book, make some lists of things you like about yourself and over time keep adding to the, and never removing anything from that list because at one stage for some reason you felt good about yourself and that can set you free.Spontaneity can really help getting out of that rut that is routine of your life and doing something different and exciting can really help when everything seems so empty and bleak.Regular exercise is a powerful tool and it only requires baby steps. Start with small things like walking, maybe a jog then join a class, club or gym make small goals and slowly get edge your way and slowly but surely you will be able to sprint straight through that fog that holds you in its thick grasps.Take care of yourself by putting the right foods in your body, your mind is clouded with a thick heavy fog and to clear it you need to be putting the best type of nutrition in your body. This means no skipping meals, reducing sugars and sodium, make sure your micro and macro nutrients are all in check. This may take a bit of reading or asking about to fully understand but eating clean healthy fresh produce is always a good start minimize processed foods and stay away from narcotics. If you feel like you are getting worse reach out, doctors, therapists, friends or me. There is no shame in being depressed. From the bottom of my heart i hope this can help and guide you.JD
