Take a Bite Out of Depression, by Anonymous
Take a Bite Out of Depression, by AnonymousWhen I was a kid, McGruff the Crime Dog invited all kids to help "Take a bite out of crime!" It's not as much fun, and I don't have a cool cartoon character, but I am inviting you to "Take a bite out of depression!"
I believe that every little bit of positive energy helps when you are in the throws of depression. Feeling better for five minutes is still five less minutes that you feel depressed. I guess that is my "Results may vary" disclaimer. With that in mind, I'd like to share something that I've worked into my life that has helped me take a bite out of depression.
As a little bit of background, I have bipolar II. I have moderate terms of hypo-mania, which is almost always followed by a long period of depression. I try hard through medication and lifestyle choices to moderate the depression. Here is what works the most for me-consistency.
I never wanted to have any routine. I liked to be a free spirit who was always up for doing something spontaneous. The problem was that I also didn't like the nearly constant state of depression I was in. Sure it was fun to stay up late watching B movies and reading, but when I connected those choices with my depression it was easy to change habits.
I think that almost all authorities on bipolar and/or depression agree that there are certain lifestyle choices that are helpful. Exercise and a healthy amount of sleep are some of the things I can think of.
The challenge for making those things part of your life is building them into your routine. I have a hard time motivating myself to exercise if I don't do it at the same time each day. For that is early in the morning before the rest of my day starts. If I don't work out first thing in the morning everyday, I am not likely to do it later. My point is not that everybody needs to work out first thing in the morning. I am simply saying that if you set aside the same chunk of time everyday, then it gets easier to work out.
The same is true of getting a good night's sleep. Depression gives me the want to sleep in late. It is possible for me to sleep ten to twelve hours if I do not take steps to moderate that. What I have done is decide what time I need to get up to get everything done in the morning before work, and I then go to bed about 7 hours before then. I make sure it is close to the same time everyday. In the morning I have the alarm clock across the room so I have to get out of bed to turn it off. Once I am up it is easier to keep going.
Doing something consistently or as part of a routine makes it easier for me to feel better. I find that I can easily repeat a healthy choice if it becomes so routine that I don't even think about doing it.
Feeling better usually doesn't just happen. It takes work, and the easiest way to do the work is to make it so routine that you just accept that at certain parts of the day you are working to make yourself better. You can do it. Take a bite out of depression.
I believe that every little bit of positive energy helps when you are in the throws of depression. Feeling better for five minutes is still five less minutes that you feel depressed. I guess that is my "Results may vary" disclaimer. With that in mind, I'd like to share something that I've worked into my life that has helped me take a bite out of depression.
As a little bit of background, I have bipolar II. I have moderate terms of hypo-mania, which is almost always followed by a long period of depression. I try hard through medication and lifestyle choices to moderate the depression. Here is what works the most for me-consistency.
I never wanted to have any routine. I liked to be a free spirit who was always up for doing something spontaneous. The problem was that I also didn't like the nearly constant state of depression I was in. Sure it was fun to stay up late watching B movies and reading, but when I connected those choices with my depression it was easy to change habits.
I think that almost all authorities on bipolar and/or depression agree that there are certain lifestyle choices that are helpful. Exercise and a healthy amount of sleep are some of the things I can think of.
The challenge for making those things part of your life is building them into your routine. I have a hard time motivating myself to exercise if I don't do it at the same time each day. For that is early in the morning before the rest of my day starts. If I don't work out first thing in the morning everyday, I am not likely to do it later. My point is not that everybody needs to work out first thing in the morning. I am simply saying that if you set aside the same chunk of time everyday, then it gets easier to work out.
The same is true of getting a good night's sleep. Depression gives me the want to sleep in late. It is possible for me to sleep ten to twelve hours if I do not take steps to moderate that. What I have done is decide what time I need to get up to get everything done in the morning before work, and I then go to bed about 7 hours before then. I make sure it is close to the same time everyday. In the morning I have the alarm clock across the room so I have to get out of bed to turn it off. Once I am up it is easier to keep going.
Doing something consistently or as part of a routine makes it easier for me to feel better. I find that I can easily repeat a healthy choice if it becomes so routine that I don't even think about doing it.
Feeling better usually doesn't just happen. It takes work, and the easiest way to do the work is to make it so routine that you just accept that at certain parts of the day you are working to make yourself better. You can do it. Take a bite out of depression.