Depression & Fighting it Off

Find things that you enjoy doing and do them
Fill your day with Activities
Have a nice warm Bubble Bath (add Hot Chocolate to the bath)
Start to eat Clean - Eliminate all processed foods - junk foods)
Go for a Walk
Replace negative thoughts with Happy ones( think of someone/something that made you happy)
Cook -- it's therapeutic
Spend time with loved ones - pets - children
Purge all things and people out of your life that doesn't compliment and enhance you in anyway
Plan out your days and stick to it
Eat Dark Chocolate 1-2 squares/day
....

I try to stay out of this mindset so my advice may not be the most accurate but honestly I really find that it helps to just force yourself to do even a little bit. Get yourself ready, brush your teeth and your hair, get dressed and already you're probably feeling a little better in just preparing yourself to do something.
Then maybe go for a walk. Doesn't have to be a super long one, just something to screw with the monotony of the day and inject a little something through the haze. Bring some music to listen to, admire the trees if you can, people watch a little bit.

When you get home, maybe instead of gunning for the computer or television, go for the book case instead. Pick out a novel to read. Stare outside your window, cuddle with your SO. Even just doing those small things you've accomplished something, and maybe it'll feel a little bit better.

And then do it again. Maybe a couple of days later add makeup to the routine before you go for a walk. Catch a bus and take a tour around your city-maybe you'll even find something new that you've never seen before.

And most of all, ignore the voice in the back of your head thats putting you down throughout it. Do the things that used to make you feel happy, even if you're not really enjoying them anymore. Keep to your daily intake goal and try to do somewhere of at least twenty minutes of physical activity in a week. Smile, even if you don't feel like it, and do it a lot and with your teeth. Slowly but surely it might start helping.

Good luck and all the best.

I completely understand its very hard but in order to get results you must make small changes one step at a time that's all it takes
Medications only covers it does not solve the issue in anyway it doesn't get to the root cause

We are here to support each other especially when we feel like we're stuck and don't know what to do
I'm here to help you step by step

Better Days are yet to come I know it's hard to see ahead to that day but it's closer than you think


You both( ChangeThePath & KBC7288) are strong and will be in a better place where the sun shines

Oh, and I agree with sissiluv.....getting showered and dressed to the shoes every day helps! I'm talking full-on hair, make-up, and dressing as though you're going to an event! It may seem trivial at first, but I'm a big believer that our environment has a huge impact on how we feel

Start by taking a shower doing your hair your nails do things that'll make you feel better about yourself
Start eating Healthy Clean Foods -- It really does help Eliminate all junk and processed foods
.....

Hey!!
I completely understand where you are coming from. I had been battling anxiety and depression for 12 years. I was hospitalized about 5years ago, was put on 5 different medications, I am now down to 1 medication only. After I was out of the hospital I would just sleep, I went through an episode where I could barely eat. My moods were up and down like a yo yo. I cried constantly wondering how and when I could find myself again. I felt I had lost who I was, I was so confused and struggled to get my *kitten* in gear and live my life like I had before I had gotten ill. Needless to say its been a very long road but I am slowly getting there. As I mentioned I am down to 1 medication only, I am now working almost full time hours (I was off for over two years on a leave of absence) walking my dog almost every day in the trails for an hour and a half or more, I play soccer, hockey and try to go to the gym three times a week. If you would like to add me feel free to....anyone reading this. I would love to be of support and encouragement! You can do this....there is a way for everyone you just need to soul search and find how you can overcome this battle. Best wishes.

Seriously....I just tonight FINALLY folded the 5 loads of CLEAN laundry that was on my bed! Like weight loss, cleaning house takes baby steps Now....maybe I'll actually get my Christmas tree up tomorrow!

I've had some issues. The last bad depression I got into might have been because I quit smoking. But the things I've done to help me get out and to keep myself out of going "back under" are:

- exercise. And when I exercise, I will say motivational/positive things to or about myself. Like, "WTG, you got this" or "You can do the full workout"...etc. And if even for a moment I feel myself doubting this or I start to get negative, I push harder and literally work the negativity out.

- eating healthier (especially with my snacks) has made me feel a lot better with myself.

- cleaning the house does make me feel better because I'm taking care of my surroundings

- I also think of one positive thing about myself everyday and I post it on my MFP status. It can be something like, "I like my smile, eyes, sense of humor, etc." or "I'm proud that I did such and such workout" or "I didn't binge eat when I was so close to doing so."

Edited to add the following:

- Oh, and also do a daily list of things to do. Nothing major. Could be small stuff like:
Fold and put away laundry
Go on a 5 minute walk
Vacuum
Do a 5 minute dance just for the fun of it

Stuff like that. Doesn't have to be long. Can be just 5 things. And check it off. Do it everyday. This helps because you know that you are accomplishing what you set out to do. It's like building up your confidence that you CAN do your more serious/major long term goals

I know what you're going through and it is tough...I have to literally force myself to get up, take a shower, and leave the house. Leaving the house is important, whether just for exercise or to run errands. I find that once I'm up and out that I automatically feel better, but it's difficult. My therapist once told me "fake it til you make it", which basically means going through the motions of your life as if you're a normal functioning adult until you actually are a normal functioning adult. But, it's hard. The fact that sometimes the very thought of walking to the kitchen or taking a shower is exhausting, getting out and getting sunlight seems damn near impossible. So, I have to remind myself how I feel when I actually do those things. I gained all my weight from medicine having to do with depression and insomnia and then kept it on for 8yrs because of depression. But, in mid-April a friend sent me an invite to MFP and I haven't looked back. I got back to eating mostly healthy, got back to exercising, which I've always loved. And losing the weight and the exercise has helped, but I'm not gonna lie, I'm still struggling. Not as bad as usual,but the struggle lives on. On the days I exercise I always feel better, even if it's just for 20 minutes. Have your boyfriend go on walks with you, tell him to force you to get out despite your objections. I've had friends do this for me and it helps. When my depression is the worst, I find Facebook makes it worse, so I avoid it. So if you're on a bunch of social media sites you may want to lessen or avoid them completely when your depression worsens. I also make to-do lists and I try to complete one or two a day to not feel overwhelmed. Anyway, if you're looking for friends fighting the same battle of depression feel free to add me.

Hey!!
I completely understand where you are coming from. I had been battling anxiety and depression for 12 years. I was hospitalized about 5years ago, was put on 5 different medications, I am now down to 1 medication only. After I was out of the hospital I would just sleep, I went through an episode where I could barely eat. My moods were up and down like a yo yo. I cried constantly wondering how and when I could find myself again. I felt I had lost who I was, I was so confused and struggled to get my *kitten* in gear and live my life like I had before I had gotten ill. Needless to say its been a very long road but I am slowly getting there. As I mentioned I am down to 1 medication only, I am now working almost full time hours (I was off for over two years on a leave of absence) walking my dog almost every day in the trails for an hour and a half or more, I play soccer, hockey and try to go to the gym three times a week. If you would like to add me feel free to....anyone reading this. I would love to be of support and encouragement! You can do this....there is a way for everyone you just need to soul search and find how you can overcome this battle. Best wishes.

You are amazing motivation. This is great support. What you have accomplishes is amazing.

I hope you are able to find happiness ChangeThePath. I get mildly anxious and get in funks at times but nothing like you experience I am guessing. I wish you the best and would say to start small and do your best to believe in yourself. Use the support of your significant other and do active things together.