Taking Care of Yourself When You’re Depressed

Self-care is often the last thing on your mind when you’re struggling with depression. It takes energy and “a sense that you want to be around tomorrow” to tend to your needs, said Therese Borchard, author of Beyond Blue: Surviving Depression & Anxiety and Making the Most of Bad Genes. But the very nature of depression is draining. “A depressed person is exhausted, hopeless, and usually not all that concerned about the future.” Deborah Serani, Psy.D, a clinical psychologist who’s experienced depression since childhood, described the fatigue as a “knuckle-dragging, heavy-limbed, bone-weary, energy-zapping exhaustion.” Depression also causes groggy and slow thinking, “which makes it hard to kick-start problem solving skills.” But, as both experts stressed, self-care is a salve for depression. According to Serani, author of the book Living with Depression, “tend[ing] to your mind, body and soul is vital for healing depression or any illness for that matter.” Self-care “shortens the time between relapses. In fact, it makes relapsing less likely,” Borchard said. Self-care gives you the strength and the foundation to start applying the necessary tools to treat your depression, Serani said. These are several simple but meaningful ways you can practice self-care, even when that’s the last thing you want to – or can – do. Your Holy Trinity Borchard suggested starting with three basics: sleep, diet and exercise. She referred to these as her “h...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatrists and Psychologists Authors: Tags: Depression Disorders General Mental Health and Wellness Self-Help 3 Fatty Acids Bad Genes Body And Soul Borchard Clinical Psychologist Coming To Our Senses Cup Of Tea Deborah Serani Depressed Person Eight Hours Exhaustion G Source Type: blogs