How to Survive Bad News While Depressed

Bad news is hard for anyone to take, let alone someone who is already depressed. If you are clinically depressed or just feeling blue, bad news can exacerbate your symptoms or lead to a host of other health problems. Be proactive in dealing with bad news and acknowledge your feelings so that you can take steps to improve your well being.

Instructions

• 1

  Talk to a trained mental health professional about your bad news and explain how it is worsening your feelings of depression. A mental health professional will give you tips and techniques to cope with bad news and might also offer relaxation techniques. It is important to explain to a therapist if you are feeling as though you can't cope with the bad news or feelings of hopelessness.

• 2

  Explain to someone in your social network how you are feeling. Talk to a friend or family member and be clear about how you have been feeling. Explain that you don't know how to survive the bad news. Even if the person cannot tell you what to do, it sometimes helps to get everything out in the open so that you are not internalizing all of your feelings.

• 3

  Write in a journal or diary about how you have been feeling. You can even write a letter to yourself explaining how awful you have been feeling and how you do not know how to survive additional bad news. Use your writing to list positive goals you are going to complete to enhance the quality of your life.

• 4

  Begin an exercise program. In addition to improving your health, exercise releases endorphins into your body that can help to improve your mood. Exercise also raises your body temperature which will help you to feel more calm. It can also help to take your mind off your depression.

• 5

  Volunteer at a local charity or participate in social events. Keeping your mind active will stop you from dwelling on personal problems and you might feel better about yourself.