“You have no idea how easy it is to fall back into the darkness.” – Unknown Triggers and feelings can be powerful and intense. They immediately transport us to a dark and painful place. With no effort on our part, we are back in the abyss. And it’s so utterly exhausting to keep battling the […]
Quote of the Day — Don’t Lose Hope
“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 […]
How to Stay on Top of Life when you Feel Depressed — Don’t Lose Hope
“No matter how many people surround you, depression is a lonely, solitary place filled with funhouse mirrors. Your world is twisted and distorted, pain reflected back from every direction.” – Unknown There are times when life feels unbearable, and it’s hard to find the will to go on. The door has slammed shut, and the […]
Strategies for When you can’t Face the Day — Don’t Lose Hope
“And if today, all you did was hold yourself together, I am proud of you.” – Unknown
It can be hard to know how to help a partner or friend who is feeling depressed. The following suggestions might help with this: 1. Find out the kind of depression they are suffering from. Symptoms of clinical depression include sleep difficulties, loss of appetite, a desire to isolate themselves, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, […]
How to Support a Depressed Friend or Partner — Don’t Lose Hope
Winter is a hard time for many of us. The days are dark and cold and the nights are long. No wonder we feel down and have to fight to change our mood.
If this describes you, then maybe try the following:
1. Stay active – Make sure you build exercise into your life.
2. Stay warm – Wear plenty of clothes, and have hot drinks and meals as feeling cold can make you feel depressed.
3. Go outside – And get all the light you can. The days may be short but you can still grab some fresh air.
4. Eat a healthy diet – As high carbs affect our mood, and a drop in sugar level will cause feelings to slump.
5. Connect with other people – Don’t isolate yourself. Being with good friends and family can keep your spirits high.
6. Keep busy – Try a new activity or do something you might love, as feeling bored and empty exacerbates the blues.
7. Play your favourite music – The kind that lifts your mood, and blows away the cobwebs, and leaves you feeling good.
1. Acknowledge to yourself that you’re having a hard time.
2. Don’t beat yourself up for struggling.
3. Let go of the drive for perfection.
4. Ask for support from those who care about you.
5. Make sure you enforce healthy boundaries with others.
6. Drop some commitments, and give yourself more space.
7. Take time to relax, and do the things you like.
8. Learn how to enjoy, and benefit from solitude.
If you struggle with suicidal thoughts … 1. Commit to not doing anything for this moment – Despite the fact that the pain is overwhelming, choose to put some distance between your thoughts and your actions. Tell yourself: “I am going to wait for 24 hours. During that time, I will commit to not doing […]
Coping with Suicidal Thoughts — Don’t Lose Hope
“You are fine just as you are. You don’t need to prove a thing.” Life often feels like one long competition. Who is the prettiest, smartest, funniest, most interesting … and so it goes on. There is pressure to compare ourselves with one another, and that can often lead to massive self-doubt. So what can […]
Yes, You Can Learn to Love Yourself — Don’t Lose Hope
Originally posted on Don’t Lose Hope : “So many people are holding on with the thinnest of threads. Treat people with kindness. You could be that thread.” Never underestimate the value of your words. People wear a mask – so we often we don’t know if someone else is struggling, or at their breaking point.…
Quote of the Day — Survivors Blog Here Mental Health Collaborative
Coaching Skills International 