In recent years, the view and discourse around mental health has grown a lot higher compared to previous years. People now feel motivated to speak about what they are going through so that they can inspire others to do the same.
When someone experiences depression symptoms like low mood and negative thoughts, as well as issues keeping their physical health at a good level, it can impact their daily life. The conversation around mental health may be better, but people still suffer.
This article will touch on ways to keep yourself motivated and help alleviate depression when it comes barreling in. Remember, these are just some tips to look into and should not be taken as medical advice.
If you suffer from a form of depression like major depressive disorder, seasonal affective disorder, or have any symptoms of depression that worry you, then it is best to speak to a mental health professional or contact the national suicide prevention lifeline for assistance. You are not alone in this, and you deserve as much support as possible.
Why Do People Get Depressed?
As much as I’m sure you would like a definitive answer as to why you are depressed and where it came from, there is no single cause of depression. It can happen at any moment in your life and the triggers can be vast.
Some of the most common are bereavement, illness, and financial worries. It can build over time and then cause a depressive episode that may lead to self esteem issues and sometimes major depression.
Help is Not Far Away
The most important thing to learn from this is that there is help out there, for example, talking to a mental health professional, seeking support from friends or families, or going to a depression support group to get you into a more empowering emotional state that provides clarity to deal with the issues you are facing. You can also explore online resources, the likes of which include different websites, forums, Clergy resources (if you are inclined towards spirituality), and online communities dedicated to mental health. However, it is important to ensure that the information you find is from reputable sources.
This essential help will aid you to focus on achievable goals and set a daily routine that won’t make you lose motivation or set aside your self care when it becomes too much to manage. You are not your negative thoughts and sometimes that can be hard to remember, but it is true.
How to Get Motivated
A mental illness such as depression can be incredibly draining and upsetting to deal with. Low motivation goes hand-in-hand with a depressive episode and that lack of motivation will stop you from doing even basic things like washing your hair, brushing your teeth, or even getting out of bed.
It’s times like these where a little can be a lot, so even starting out small will make a huge difference to your day. You may not feel like one of those positive people at the moment, but you will get to a stage where positivity is not far off.
Get Out Of Bed
Small and quick. Just getting yourself out of your bed can make a big change. Tell yourself “I just need to get up, that’s all, just get up.” Once you have done that – stretch, stretching your body after being cramped in a bed can feel good. Talk yourself through the stages bit by bit, getting out of your pajamas, walking downstairs to get a drink, and maybe some breakfast if you can stomach it.
Go Slowly
Bit by bit just keep talking to yourself through what you are doing. It’s not silly to motivate yourself to move, you need that personal support to do any daily tasks that come your way. Caring for yourself is something we all should be doing daily.
Indulge In A Bit Of Self-Care
In addition to the many things that you can do to make yourself feel better, you could indulge in some self-care too. It is the act of ensuring that your mind and body are taken care of in the ways that you feel are appropriate. Since there is no one-size-fits-all solution to self-care, you could take the time to nourish your body with hair and skin masks, eat the things that you need, and engage in other activities that make you feel better.
Furthermore, if you are insecure about some parts of yourself, you could work on them to build up your confidence. For instance, you can explore blogs like “Cosmetic Dentistry Boom: Trends in Teeth Whitening Across India” or seek professional guidance to address any concerns you may have.
You could even consider pampering yourself occasionally with a spa day out. Here, you could opt for a soothing and relaxing muscle treatment that could ease tension and promote relaxation, such as a Swedish massage. Alternatively, you could consider getting a professional facial to improve the quality of your skin and make it glow, allowing you to shine with confidence and radiance. To locate such a spa, simply search phrases like “facial near me in Gilbert, AZ” on your favorite search engine and browse through the available options, ensuring you find the perfect place to treat yourself to some well-deserved self-care.
Remember, self-care is not just about pampering yourself, but also about cultivating a positive relationship with yourself and prioritizing your well-being.
Go For a Walk/Exercise
Research suggests that exercise is a great way to get the body moving and the brain releasing those feel good hormones to avoid negativity. People with major depressive disorder may find this particularly hard to do, so don’t focus on where you are walking, just take it step by step. You may not go far but at least you are outside and away from your bed. That’s a positive.
Self-Pleasure
You should count self-pleasure as a way to take care of yourself too. Self-pleasure involves doing those things that help you hit the refresh button. For instance, you could use cannabis for some much-needed relaxation or watch a movie with a friend.
In addition, you should cater to your libido and explore your sexual fantasies as well. There are plenty of sites for you to explore on the web, and if there is something specific you want to watch, you can find appropriate adult sites at x3guide.com.
Finding ways to make yourself feel better can be considered self-care, which is necessary if you want to be motivated and feel better.
Why Exercise is Important
Exercise in any form can help improve symptoms of mild to moderate depression, so it is worth it to even do it slightly. It can also help with oxygen levels when breathing in the fresh air and not stale air from your room. It can also increase motivation to move more after a little bit, so you are able to spend time focusing on yourself and your physical and mental health.
Contact a Friend
You may not feel like speaking to someone when you are going through this, but even just sending a text to a friend or calling them for a little bit can be a mood booster. The lack of motivation you feel to connect with people is strong. But just taking those few moments will be beneficial.
Being Social
If you do not want to go out and see a friend, you may want to invite them to your house. Explain that you don’t have much energy at the moment and you feel overwhelmed and anxious, and you can’t find motivation to move much. Your friend will understand, and they may suggest that they come round and talk to you for a little bit, or they bring you food.
You don’t have to leave the house if you are really not up to it, but if you had someone with you when you take a walk or need to run an errand it can make it a lot easier.
Educate Your Friends
If your friends have never experienced something like this or know what going through a major depressive episode is, then educating them on what it’s like and how you feel can be a relief, plus you will have more supporters in your corner when going through it.
On the days you lack motivation you can reach out to a friend who understands and can encourage you to keep going. Don’t shut them out when you are feeling lost with your depression, talk to them.
Speak to a Doctor
Motivating yourself to speak to your healthcare provider can be highly beneficial as they will be able to talk you through your options on how you can support yourself. Taking medication is not as taboo as it used to be and it may be the thing that drives you forward.
After talking with your doctor, you might feel that motivation to do other things to help get through your depression and aid in your well being. Depressed people can find it hard to open up and say how they are feeling, doctors know that and they will encourage people like you to reach out as much as possible.
Get Enough Sleep
People who are depressed may stay in bed a lot or not be as physically active as they used to be, but that does not mean that they are sleeping or resting, depression can stop them from sleeping or it can cause them to sleep for too long which disrupts their bodies rhythm.
It is physically draining to go through depression which can make people feel very tired. Set yourself a bedtime and stick to it, you may also want to set an alarm in the morning so you don’t oversleep and make yourself feel worse. Major depressive disorder is not going to be kind to your body, so you need to overrule that and do it for yourself.
Avoid Negative People & Situations
If you are friends with people who breathe negativity or maybe you have family members that will set your teeth on edge and make you feel bad about yourself whenever you see them, now is the time to create some distance.
It may not be easy and it can cause more issues with some people, but for your own mental health, it is crucial. Stick to your guns and don’t give in. If they are a sea of negativity and they don’t care about changing, you are just setting yourself up time and time again. You don’t need that in your life and you deserve a lot more than what they are giving you.
Don’t get sucked in, ride the wave and do what’s right for you. Get support from your therapist and close friends to see you through so you are not alone.
Conclusion
Finding motivation when depressed is not easy, it can seem like you are wading through heavy water with weights in your shoes. The trick is to face what you are going through and take each day as it is one step at a time. It won’t be easy, nothing ever is, but it will be worth it. Even on days when you feel fine, stick to your routine and keep yourself active.
Breaking things down into manageable goals will give you a sense of achievement in your daily life. Don’t give in, you deserve to be here and to keep going – you matter.
