10 Self-Care Activities to Help with Depression
Finding ways to take care of yourself when you're depressed can help improve productivity and your mental state. It can be hard to find attainable activities that won't cause too much stress or mental load on you. Here is a list of attainable activities that won't be too difficult to get yourself to do if you are having a difficult time.
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1. Drink Water and Take Vitamins/ Medication
I have a whole blog post about how drinking water has helped my mental health. Taking care of your body can really impact your mental health. When you don't drink enough water, you can get a headache or not be able to function as efficiently. Try drinking a gallon of water and taking a multivitamin to see if that helps. In conjunction with other things on this list, this can help get your mind in a better track.
2. Pursue a Hobby or Interest
I have been enjoying crochet because it is easy to pick up where I left off. Things like sourdough take a long time, and there's not a lot of hands-on time, so I use sourdough as a money-saving hobby that I enjoy and not as much something for my mental health. It can be very meditative to shape and handle the dough, so if you have a lot of time on your hands, then sourdough can be a great activity. If you enjoy painting, then that is a great way of being creative and getting your mind off of any struggles you're going through.
3. Talk to a Friend or Mentor
I find that if I sit in my living room with my roommate, then we will sit together and talk about our days. If you live with people, then just listening to them speak or hanging out can even help with my mental health. Taking care of yourself can mean just being with people that don't tear you down.
4. Look into Therapy
Even searching about therapy can help find tools in how to help yourself. Maybe find a CBT Therapy book and work through that if you can't afford going to therapy or services like Betterhelp. Betterhelp does have a student discount that you can check out if you are a college student to make it a little easier on your wallet.
5. Eat Something (Even If it is Not The Best For You)
While eating something nutritious would be my preferred method, but I notice when I am anxious or depressed, I don't eat enough food. This is a great way to get up out of bed and do something for your body that doesn't take too much energy. I find that keeping cheese and crackers, hummus, and ramen on hand helps me eat when I don't feel like cooking. I prefer not to order delivery because it puts too much stress on me financially and if I don't finish the food, I feel bad for spending so much money. Finding safe and easy foods that don't break the bank are great ways to keep yourself fed even when you have food aversions or can't get out of bed to prepare.
6. Spend Time Outside
I like to do this by sitting on my balcony in my apartment and listening to music. Even if it is not enjoying nature, it could just be people watching or listening to the sounds outside. Finding peace in being in nature and doing nothing is a great skill to have under your belt.
7. Get Enough Sleep
Now, when I'm depressed, I find I get too much sleep. But when I make sure to go to bed at a reasonable time, it makes me feel more put together and good about myself. Having an attainable routine and taking melatonin or Benadryl helps me fall asleep at a good time.
8. Do a Load of Laundry
Getting a pair of clean socks, pants, and a shirt can really help you feel a little better. I find little self-care activities that don't require too much commitment can be a great way to boost your morale. Helping yourself feel a little cleaner without having to be up for too long can go a long way. I like just putting one outfit and some towels in the washer and dryer because it gives me just enough without feeling like I will spend forever afterward folding and putting clothes away.
9. Clean Off Your Bed
If you have clothes or food on your bed, go ahead and clean that off. Wipe off any crumbs and give yourself an easier time going to sleep. Cleaning off your bed can give you even some mental space when you are sleeping and not worrying about knocking something off of the bed while trying to get some vital shut-eye.
10. Watch A Comforting Movie
Find a few movies that don't stress you out and can watch easily. Find some on Netflix or Hulu or amazon that won't cost you anything and have them written down on your phone just in case you need something easy. Try watching it in a common place like your living room instead of your bedroom to invite others to watch it with you.
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