Tips To Lift Your Depressed Mood

There have been so many changes the last few months. Pandemic, social stressors, financial changes, family tensions escalating, work-life changes and a whole new reality you are navigating. It’s only normal to have moments where all of this leaves you tackling some depressed moods and feelings of loneliness. And especially because of the pandemic, you may have lost the familiar mornings, something many are us are adjusting to our ‘new normal’ everyday lives. The social activities that kept us feeling connected limited to some capacity, and in for some, completely on hold.

We can’t hang out at our favorite coffee shops and restaurants, have a good sweat at the gym, or have a birthday bash at one of your friends’ homes. Economic uncertainty and confusion about when the nation will reopen don’t help.

With all of this in mind, it’s essential to remember to take small steps to help ourselves feel brighter. Therapists recommend time-tested methods to help overcome depression. These same methods can be used in pandemic situations such as this one.

Keep a Routine

When our daily life changes abruptly, it can be easy to let a routine slip. After all, many people don’t have to be at the office by a particular time anymore if they’re telecommuting or laid off. Kids don’t have to be dropped off at school. We don’t need to manage our schedule to get to events and activities on time anymore.

Losing these familiar markers of time can make us feel ungrounded. Most of us associate being at home with having a chance to relax. After all, when we’re home, it’s often the weekend or evenings.

But maintaining a routine will help keep us grounded and focused.  It provides structure and purpose for our days.

Get Out of Your Pajamas

As with a routine, being at home makes it easy to stay in our loungewear all day long. We may become lax with our hygiene routines. But small steps such as getting dressed in “real” clothes make a big difference in how we feel.

Getting out of our comfy clothes is a signal that it’s time to be productive. Making our bed, doing the dishes, and starting the day with a clean slate can go a long way.

Reach Out

When we feel depressed, it’s incredibly easy to forget to reach out to friends and family. Or we may not have the motivation to do so. Managing the stresses of our abruptly changed world can demand all of our focus and energy.

Despite this, take time to reach out with friends. Send them messages to check in. Even try to schedule video chats with local friends as awkward as it might feel at first.

Remember to take time to reflect upon the loved ones in your life and how much they mean to you.

Exercise and Get Outside

Mustering up the energy to exercise when we’re depressed isn’t always easy. But exercise is a natural mood booster.

If you can exercise outside, even better. Sunshine and fresh air can also boost our mood. Getting outside of our homes offers a needed change of perspective. Spring is a beautiful time of year to venture out.

Gratitude

While it may sound trite, the simple act of noticing the many good things in our lives is often very heartwarming and mood-boosting. Despite all the negative news and isolation, goodness surrounds us. Sometimes it’s small things; sometimes it’s big things. But it’s all worth noticing. Fresh green leaves on the trees, the sip of our first morning coffee or tea, happy memories—all of it.

Therapy

Fortunately, despite social distancing requirements, therapists are still available to help via online sessions. If your depression continues to worsen, or if the steps you take don’t seem to help, reaching out for help is crucial. Like so many health issues, depression can grow stronger if left untreated and ignored.

If you have any hesitations, remember that teletherapy has been proven to be as effective as in-person counseling. Our office provides free initial consultations. We’re here for you and encourage you to reach out to learn more.

Together, we can get through this.

If you’re ready to start your own therapy and get personalized one-on-one care, reach out here for your free consultation.