How to DO SOMETHING when you can't DO ANYTHING!


Did you read that right?

"How to do something when you can't do anything"? 

Depression, I know what it is like. When you are in a low mood, not only do you not feel like doing anything, you can't do anything...at least that's what it feels like.

But did you know that resting is doing something? It is!

My husband has a wonderful way of handling me when my mood hits low.

 The first thing I do once I realize what is happening is cancel any plans I might have that I am not fit to follow through on. The next thing is rest, in my bed. Oh I might watch TV, or read or write, but I am in a room away from everyone and resting.

He leaves me alone for the most part but every so once in a while he comes to the door and says 'how's it going?' and I say 'I'm resting' and he says 'hooray! you're doing your job! good work!'

"I'm doing my job." Sadly, taking care of depression or any kind of mental illness can be a full time job.

And what is my job when I am not well? Resting!

But there are different kinds of rests and I thought I would share those with you today.

There's a great article from Psychology Today titled "The Seven Kinds of Rest You Actually Need".    I love this article! I won't overload you with details. If you want more specifics you can look up the article.

My favourite rest is social rest. Just between you and I, when I am depressed, I hate people!

Here's a handy chart you may want to put on your fridge. I'm going to make a copy of it for my fridge too. It's from Rogers Behavioural Health:   


You are important.

You matter.

Your mental health matters.

Take care of yourself.

So, in conclusion: 

Are you so depressed that you don't feel like you can do anything, that you don't want to do anything?

Don't give up! There is something you can do

REST!

Rest is doing something.

You are important.

Your mental health matters.

You matter. 

Your moods will not go away just because you decide to ignore them. 

Give yourself a chance to get better and rest! 

Now just an aside here. You may ask that if I know so much about depression, then why do I still get bouts of depression? Good question. Sadly, depression can be chronic for some of us, but I have made great strides. I don't ever get depressed like I used to or for as long as I used to. I haven't changed medications in years. But I do experience some depression if I overdo things. When I am tired, my mood dips. But now that I know what to do, my recovery is quick. As long as I manage the low mood, I only stay down for two or three days. But... I must manage depression all the time. If I don't manage it and use the strategies I know of, I would be worse off.

There is hope for depression but if you are not willing to rest when you need to, you are not giving hope a chance.

Take care of yourself and don't give up!

There is hope for depression.

Don't give up, please, don't give up.


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