Hello friends, Happy Spring! I want to start this post on habits that are good for depression by thanking all of you so much for being patient since I haven’t posted a new article in about a while!
I’ve been working on something really special that I think you’re going to love (It’s my brand new course all about how to create a self-care routine for mental health 😀 )
(I’ll link it further down in case you’d like to check it out)
Today’s article is all about habits that are good for depression. Even if you aren’t clinically depressed, forming these habits will help you as well.
I’ve never been diagnosed with depression, but I am no stranger to “normal” mental struggles around depression. Emotional wellbeing often has so much to do with mental health and usually depression. I’m certain you’ll find this relatable if you are aware of your emotional well-being.
1. Place boundaries around social media use
The first of the habits that are good for depression that I’d like to mention is limiting your use of social media.
Even if depression isn’t something you typically struggle with, placing boundaries around social media use is a great habit to have. It will most likely be beneficial in a number of ways.
I’ve been particularly careful around all types of content I allow myself to consume lately. Limiting social media is no different. This has been great for my mental well-being (especially during COVID-19 and being home so much more).
It seems like in the last couple of years or so people have been a little more open about not being so “fake” on their social profiles. There are still plenty of people who either make a living as an influencer or who have branded their lifestyle in some way.
As the consumer it’s our responsibility to not get caught up in the hype and glamour of it. Selling a glamourous lifestyle is fine on it’s own, but it often leaves consumers feeling inadequate. (again, personal responsibility needs to come into play here)
What I’m getting at is that it’s not always just what you see. What we see on social media often isn’t relatable for the majority of us.
I believe that being in lockdown from the pandemic has only increased this as social media seems to be a significant form of connection these days.
Get off the ‘gram and pick up a good book or listen to a podcast. Most of all, be kind to your lovely self.
There are some useful things that come out of social media use. However, if you’re prone to depression, seeing someone all glammed up lounging around their private villa on some exotic get-away could push you into a state of further self-esteem issues and depression.
You should never compare yourself. And I believe social media often relays the message that you should be comparing yourself. Just be careful and stay aware of your thoughts while scrolling.
Depression is hard and you’re a Rockstar for not letting it completely ruin your life. I highly suggest you talk to a therapist as well!
2. Practice self-care for mental health
I love this one! Over the last several years, I’ve been perfecting my own self-care for mental health routine. Started out knowing nothing about which practices are the most beneficial can be daunting. It’s important to practice your core favorites daily!
I feel fortunate that I’m able to say that I do.
As briefly mentioned before, I just finished creating my very first digital product. It is (in course format) all about self-care for mental health.
Don’t worry, I’m not just going to tell you to take a bath and light some candles 😉
Finding the self-care for mental health routine that works best for you and your schedule is so important.
Having a daily practice reinforces that you’re in control of your day. And it also empowers you to take control in other important areas of your life.
If you like, you can get the free printable “14-Day Morning Routine Challenge for Mental Health” HERE
Self-care for mental health is so important and will change your life in ways that you never would have imagined. When I began my journey, I didn’t know I had a few subconscious limiting beliefs and that they caused mental unhealthiness in my life.
Just that piece alone has been a true life-changing experience for me and it’s all thanks to creating a routine of practices. I’ve been able to figure out what works best for my needs over time.
I highly recommend discovering your own self-care routine for mental health!
If this is something that you’d like to read more about, feel free to check out my story HERE.
3. Make a habit of having a hobby/activity
Having a hobby or an activity that you love and is all yours is amazing. Personally, I get the same benefit from this as spending hours talking to a friend over coffee.
There is something so healing about losing yourself in an activity and forgetting all about time. Your creativity is flowing and you’re putting yourself in a healthy and satisfied state of mind. This is absolutely one of the best habits that are good for depression.
The more you can do this, the less likely you are to get depressed. In my opinion, this “vibe” (state of mind) is pretty much the opposite of depression. It’s almost as if depression can’t exist when you’re experiencing this state. Dancing or exercise is a great way to get yourself in this state. Grab a friend and go to a weekly Zumba class! If this sounds like it’s out of your comfort zone, even better!
Being uncomfortable doesn’t have to be a bad thing to avoid. Enjoy laughing at how awkward you feel with your friend and just let the music move you. I took a Zumba class years ago (against my wishes) and had the best time! Most importantly, I looked forward to it every week.
4. Turn off the TV
Aside from the fact that you could be consuming television that is making you feel a certain negative way, spending too much idle time is also a recipe for depression.
We are active beings by nature, and while chilling out on the couch in front of the TV can have its restful benefits, the lack of mental or physical effort involved can very easily lead to depression.
Engaging your mind when you feel depression coming on can be very beneficial and a great way to get out of depression sooner. It can at least ease the emotional pain while you’re in it.
Sometimes, I experience periods of depression and I find that it helps to read a book. It’s such a simple thing to do but it feels like it a lot of effort when I feel depressed. When I’m reading, my mind is pre-occupied with something positive, and even though it won’t completely pull me out of that “slump”, I feel better knowing I’m doing something good for myself.
5. Limit your alcohol consumption
If you enjoy alcoholic beverages like I do, opting for a drink might seem like an enjoyable way to numb the emotional pain of depression.
Do everything you can to not do this!
Not only does it mess with the chemical balance in your brain and make everything seem darker and more severe, but you don’t want to put yourself in a position you might regret.
I have a rule for myself to only drink when my mind is happy. I’ve learned to love myself so much more in the last year, so I have no problem being honest with myself and only enjoying alcohol when I’m in a sound state of mind.
Mastering this, has helped in other areas when creating habits that are good for depression, so I suggest giving this a try if alcohol is something you regularly enjoy.
6. Make your sleep schedule more of a priority
To help avoid depression, it’s a good idea to do your best to always get enough sleep.
You don’t have to tell me this twice! Sleep is so important for mental health. Ever notice how problems seem somewhat smaller after a good night’s sleep? Imagine that on a larger scale.
I’ve said before that a happy body is a happy mind (usually), so think of all the physical health reasons to get the right amount of sleep. Imagine how that will impact your mental health!
7. Give back
Depression can have many contributing factors. Isolation, an unhealthy diet, neglect of mental health, etc. By being proactive and giving back, you’re not only being social and helping your community, but you’re also putting yourself in a place of abundance by being fortunate enough to help other people.
Whether you are donating your time, effort, money or clothes, you’re thinking about other people and doing something totally unrelated to yourself and your needs.
If part of the harmful thoughts you experience when you’re depressed are something like “I’m not going anywhere in life”, “my life has no purpose” or “I never have enough _”, chances are that giving back in some way will make you see that you are accomplished in life. Also, that you do have a purpose in life and you most likely do have plenty of whatever it is that you might think you lack.
8. Make healthy diet changes
I briefly mentioned it earlier in this article, but diet does matter when it comes to depression. A cleaner diet produces a cleaner body and a cleaner mind. Having habits that are good for depression most certainly includes a healthy diet.
It’s amazing to me that something like a diet can impact your mental state including depression but it absolutely can!
Physical health benefits of healthy eating aside, when you’re constantly eating junk, what does that say about your own opinion about yourself?
If you don’t care about what you put into your body your mental wellbeing will suffer. Your body is instinctually trying to keep you alive and thriving and if you’re fighting that by fueling it with junk, the outcome will not be pleasant.
Think of your mind and body as a separate part of you. “You” is your soul/what makes you, you. And your body is the physical you and your brain.
It might seem weird at first, but I like to tell myself that I’ve got my back by doing my best to take care of my body with a pretty good diet, exercise and by being aware of all other areas of consumption (TV, books, social media, etc).
The truth is that we all have the potential to do amazing things. And we need to start treating ourselves like it!
The best way to take care of your body and mind is to work on your own practices. Take care of your body and mind and they will take of you.
Whenever I start to feel myself slipping into a state of depression, I ask myself what I’ve done for my body lately.
If I’ve been eating more junk food than usual and skipping workouts, I start there and usually it significantly helps improve my mental state.
Sticking to habits that are good for depression will create less space for depression and other mental health issues to pop up.
The human experience is so fascinating, and you have the ability to do amazing things when you’re properly taking care of yourself, otherwise, you’re just struggling to maintain without making much or any improvements to your mental health.
I hope you enjoyed this article and learned something about habits that are good for depression that you can implement in your own life!
If self-care for mental health is something that interests you, check out the 3-Month Self-Care Challenge for Mental Health.
In this course, I go over the methods and strategies that I’ve used to implement the mental health practices that I now call habits!
Click the link above, or check it out HERE
