How to Function With Depression

Depression is a condition with the potential to put the brakes on your life. In some cases depression is so severe that a person cannot function normally without medication. In other cases, it is milder, but has the ability to take away your ambitions, motivation and desire to take part in activities you once enjoyed. The bottom line is while people normally find the energy and stamina to make it through a myriad of activities each day, functioning with depression takes a lot of courage and strength.

Instructions

• 1

  Find help. The best way to deal with your depression is to seek help from a qualified therapist. Depending on how severe your condition is, you may be recommended to a psychiatrist or asked to engage in talk therapy sessions. Opening up to someone about your problems is extremely therapeutic. A mental health expert will help put things in perspective and provide you with insight into the cause of your depression. This is the first step in the healing process.

• 2

  Get out of bed at the same time each day. This is probably one of the hardest things you'll have to do if you are suffering from depression. Take little steps. Open your eyes, when the alarm goes off. You'll probably have a though like, "I can't make it through the day" or "I just can't face the world." Acknowledge these thoughts as part of your condition, which is very real. Let them pass. Now take control of your thoughts and say "yes, I can," and get out of bed. Fear of losing control is a big part of depression; the good thing is, you can control your thoughts.

• 3

  Eat three healthy meals a day. A balanced diet is essential to your recovery because nutrition plays a big role in our overall health. If you are depressed, you may not be eating right. This only aggravates your condition.

  Ask for help from family or friends if you are so depressed that you don't even want to cook. If you live alone and don't like eating by yourself, schedule regular dinner dates with family and friends.

• 4

  Go for a walk every day. Walking is one of the best forms of exercise doctors recommend for patients with depression. If possible walk during the daytime so you can benefit from the uplifting effects of sunlight. Not only will moderate physical activity have a positive effect on your body and mind, but the simple act of moving forward is a metaphor that you will move forward and past through this episode in your life.

• 5

  Find an opportunity to volunteer. Helping others is a great way to take the focus off your depression, and volunteering brings with it a genuine feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment. Most communities offer some form of volunteering opportunities at hospitals, churches and schools. Staying busy and interacting with people is also an excellent way to keep your mind off depressive thoughts.