By Daniel Riddle
Before I start, I want to make clear that these are not guaranteed depression cures. Realistically the best-case scenario is some of these actions will help you get through the day in a better state than if you just lay in bed all day.
Food
Depending on your depression, you could lose hunger, lack energy to cook, or both. Something that can help with both options is to have snack food ready for episodes. Now snack food doesn’t have to be junk food. Recently my fiancé began craving those little party meal kits markets have, the ones with meat, cheese, and crackers. So when we stocked up on those, I discovered they are perfect for when I don’t have the energy or appetite for cooked meals.
If you have issues with fatigue that make it hard to get to the fridge, you could put a mini-fridge in your bedroom to hold the cheese and meat. Obviously not everyone can afford or fit a mini-fridge in their room, so you can look into non-perishable options that are similar.
- Canned chicken or tuna kits with crackers (many markets sell them)
- Canned sausages such as Vienna Sausages
- Beef jerky
- Dried fruits
- Bread with spreads such as peanut butter or hazelnut spread
Hydration
Drinking water can be difficult if your appetite is affected by your episode. Also, some of us use soda for the caffeine to ease the fatigue symptoms, but this can greatly dehydrate you in the long run. Unfortunately, water sometimes isn’t enough depending on your symptoms, but thankfully you have options.
- Pedialyte
- Gatorade
- There are several brands of hydrating powders to mix with water
Exercise
Many people say that exercise helps with depression. Now, this is a great idea, but extremely difficult in practice. Fatigue makes it difficult just to function, let alone be able to do physically strenuous work. Also, I know people that used jogging to help previously, but with COVID, it is not always safe to go out.
Something that has helped me recently is just using headphones and turning on music. Then I pace back and forth throughout my house just to keep myself moving. The music helps distract me from my fatigue.
Now, if you’re in an environment where walking around isn’t a good idea, I’ve found push-ups and sit-ups are a good way to exercise without taking too much room. If you do this, I feel it isn’t the best idea to set goals for yourself like “do 10 push-ups in one sitting.” Do as much exercise as you can and then rest, and try to snack or drink while resting. If you have wood or tile floors, I recommend a yoga mat or a soft rug.
Hygiene
When you’re depressed, it’s difficult to muster the energy to take a bath or shower. Sometimes even brushing your teeth is an impossible chore. Unfortunately, hygiene and cleaning yourself is a good way to help you recover from symptoms. There are easier ways to help you clean up; hopefully, some of these help you.
If you can’t shower, dry shampoo is an excellent way to help wash your hair and prevents it from feeling oily or knotted. Also, maybe try to just splash warm water on your face occasionally. if I’m too fatigued to brush my teeth I’ll use mouthwash instead, so I’m at least keeping my mouth clean and breath fresh.
You might not have the energy to fully change your clothes, but it does help you differentiate between days and shift from day to night. There is nothing wrong with switching from one pair of sweatpants to another pair of sweatpants. Sometimes buying oversized clothes can make it easier to change clothes, so having a set just for episodes could be a good plan for you.
I hope this helps!!
I’d love to hear from our readers! Please comment and let us know if any of these work for you, or if you have any helpful tips of your own.
Photo by Anthony Tran on Unsplash