Depressive episodes- how do you cope?

[MeToo2016]

So today has been one of those days where I just feel like I’m going through a depressive episode. No real explanation for how I’m feeling....I just have been feeling down all day. Every so often this happens to me and I always struggle with coping on these days. What do you guys do to cope? Any tips or tricks that help? Thanks!

 

[WishfulThinking123]

I find that staying busy and being with others helps a lot or really just zoning out in front of Netflix... What really helps is reminding myself it will pass. I used to get into these times and feel and think it will last forever but I know now that theyre always "episodes" like you said and it will pass so that really helps! If its really bad like thoughts of SH then journaling can be a godsend or emailing my t can be very comforting as well. Hope that helps!!

 

[MeToo2016]

Thanks! I try to remember that too, but lately it’s been so easy to get sucked into that feeling :/

 

[MrMoonlight]

I tend to bunker down in my room and isolate during episodes of deep depression. Staying in the same room for days can make me feel really stuck. For me breaking the cycle a bit can help. Sitting outside or in the living room to break up the isolation. Taking a shower sometimes several times a day can make me feel better. Getting dressed like I have somewhere to go can also help...you know not staying in PJ's for days somehow makes me feel just a tiny bit better. I guess anything normal that can make you feel a little more normal. Exercise is really great but motivation in times like this is always a problem. Not sure how to overcome that.

I'm having trouble right now with food. I don't want to eat and what I do seems way too complex, like I can only stomach plain tasting baby like food.

 

[flowerapple]

I try finding things to keep me busy and also watching Netflix, just anything really to distract me from myself I guess. I also try texting or talking friends. They don't have to know why you're calling or texting them but just do it, it really helps distract you from it, and a happy conversation can cheer you up, if even for a little while. When I'm really desperate, I call the hotline. Turns out you don't have to be suicidal to call, you can call too if you're a real bad time. I find it helps talking to someone who doesn't know me. I especially do it if I'm depressed but for no particular reason, sometimes they help me figure to figure out why I feel like that, and sometimes it just helps to talk to someone about your problem. Hope that helps.

 

[Tornadic Thoughts]

It varies depending on the intensity of the feelings. Redirecting my a-tension however I can helps a great deal in the moment.

Sometimes it's as easy as introducing a new breathing pattern, smell, or view. Nature tends to hold much comfort for me in my world, be it a good day or a bad day or an in between day.

Other times I need to feel, taste, and dive deep into a whole new scene to get my brain off the track that feels for sure like it's gonna derail.

Other days I just need to cover my head back up and sleep it off as long as possible, or stare at the screens via laptop or tv and hopefully absorb something helpful, or stick my head in a book that I can stand to read, and very gently navigate the rest of my day.

Some days I have to call in for back-up, but that usually doesn't happen until after I've exhausted my other options....if I'm not too stubborn to do so.

Hot epsom salt baths, warm then cold shower, use my favorite essential oils after bathing, smudge myself and my spaces with white sage, do some healing chants, play music to lift my spirits or either help me release the deep feelings of grief and sadness via tears, healthy food that actually nourishes and hydrates my cell-ph (we grow a lot of our own and have land that's full of wild edibles and such, so that makes it much easier this time of year), being around fur babies or crossing paths with wild animals, planting, propagating, and tending to edibles and houseplants, hula hooping, dancing, bouncing on the mini-trampoline, foraging for wild sustenance, screaming into a pillow or driving and screaming/singing loudly, crying until my face hurts, de-cluttering a particular space to help me and my in-vironment feel lighter and less drained, lending a hand to others (within reason as I respect my boundaries) to help get my mind off of whatever it insists on perseverating about, writing down what's weighing heavy and then safely burning it, emailing or texting my counselor and/or other healers/friends/acquaintances to at least connect with someone outside of myself, if not meet up.....are some ideas of specific things I recall doing to get myself out of the depressive funks that inevitably arrive.

Then there's the days I can do some or all the above and still feel like absolute shit. That's when I try my best to remember tomorrow is yet another chance to hopefully feel less shitty and try to get a good nights sleep.

Wishing you the best in finding more methods that work for you. Take good care.