“The only thing more exhausting than being depressed is pretending that you’re not.”
Some basic advice for those bleak, tough days ….
1. Acknowledge how you feel, and accept that this is going to be a more challenging day. Call it for what it is, and respect your limits.
2. Commit to doing only the absolute essentials. Don’t push yourself to do anything more than.
3. Prioritize what’s important right now. For example, if you have a report that has to be submitted, then choose to work on that. However, if it is something that can wait, set it aside for the moment.
4. Work through your (short!) to-do list in small chunks of time – making sure you get plenty of breaks.
5. Talk to someone who will understand. If you can’t talk face to face, then call or text. Don’t keep your feelings to yourself. We need to get support when we’re feeling low.
6. Be wise in your use of social media. It may be good to deactivate a few accounts for now, or to switch off your phone to protect yourself from images and comments that leave you feeling worse.
7. Make sure you leave the house and get a change of scenery. If possible, get some exercise as well.
8. Deliberately invest in some form of self-care, and remember that tomorrow is another day.
Don't Lose Hope 
Thank you, good reminder!
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Good to hear from you Morag! Hope things are well with you.
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Thank you, I arrived in Scotland on the 8th and spent time with my family. Still trying to get around with an air boot on – is a bit like a ball and chain. I have to tell myself “slowly does it”… But I have set up a writing corner so hopefully I can pick up my writing again 😁
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Your whole list is great, but number 4 really hits home. I looked back on the day I had a debilitating panic attack, and my little notebook (jotter) was crammed full of activities. I kept pushing ahead when I should have cleared my calendar and engaged in some self-care.
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I remember we called notebooks “jotters” when I was a kid at school 🙂 So lovely to hear the term again! Sometimes pushing ahead is necessary but sometimes it is bad for us. I have learned from personal experience that we really do need to make time for self care.
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Love this and am re-posting it! Thank you!
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Thank you!
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You’re welcome!
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[…] How to Stay on Top of Life when you Feel Depressed — Don’t Lose Hope […]
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Reblogged this on Disablities & Mental Health Issues.
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Thanks Kenneth. do you manage to sort out the email issue?
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Don’t know why I’m getting your replies by email I am supposed to be receiving you by notification only.
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Such a great reminder! Thank you.
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Thank you. I hope you have a lovely weekend 🙂
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[…] How to Stay on Top of Life when you Feel Depressed — Don’t Lose Hope […]
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Thank you for sharing this with your readers.
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[…] How to Stay on Top of Life when you Feel Depressed — Don’t Lose Hope […]
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Good advice – especially reminding oneself that tomorrow is another day. It’s less overwhelming to deal with things one day at a time – or one moment at a time
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Yes, I find that too. One of my mantras when I was depressed was “Do the next thing.” Keeping our focus on just one thing helps keep that feeling of overwhelm at bay. Thanks for the comment 🙂
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Yes, it keeps your mind on doing the next thing, rather than the long, dark road ahead. Then once it’s done, you have the satisfaction that you did that thing, and you can probably do the next thing now.
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