Difficulty Coping with Depression
Just like many other mental illnesses, depression distorts how someone thinks. The sun may be shinning without a cloud in sight and inside the mind of a depressed person they may feel so dark and gloomy, for no reason at all, that they believe their world is coming to an end. The depression can get so bad that the person may even feel physical symptoms while coping with depression. Upon further investigation, these physical ailments are without a true origin. That does not mean it is not real to the depressed person. This has happened to me on a number of occasions. For instance, I was coping with depression and had every symptom of MS. However, all the tests and MRI’s came back negative. In the end, I was told to see my psychiatrist.
Many Reasons for Coping with Depression
Depression can be the result of a mental illness, the fallout after a major health problem, or a situational issue such as a divorce or a death of a loved one or receiving a pink slip at work. It does not matter how you came to be familiar with life’s dark shroud, you know that depression can have drastic effects on your health and well-being. Therefore, it is imperative to have relaxation techniques to help you feel better from the inside out.
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Prayer
When I am coping with depression, I try to pray to my Heavenly Father. I ask God to help me to focus on Him and not the depression. I ask Him to help me through this though time; to lift the darkness from me; to hold my hand; and to guide me. In my experience, He answers my prayers in various ways. First, He could simply answer the prayer straightforward. Second, He could decide to walk with me through the darkness and chose to soothe me with His presence. Also, He might use another person, thing or situation to answer the prayer. But He always answers the prayers.
The thing with prayer, you do not have to do much.
- Cry out.
- Believe.
- Wait with Faith.
When you go to a friend and cry on their shoulder, you are essentially doing the exact same thing with God. You believe your friend will listen to you. At the same time, you must believe God will listen to you. If He keeps all your tears in a bottle — I think He is listening, don’t you? You wait on a friend to deliver just the right words. When you pray to God and believe He is listening you must wait to see how He will answer. It just takes a little faith on your part.
2. Meditation
If a depression covers me like a thick wool blanket, I might meditate to help while coping with depression. I will meditate on scripture verses such as Philippians 4:13 “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength” or “I lift my eyes up to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, Maker of Heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2. I might also meditate on mantras such as “You can do this” “This will be over soon.” Then I wait while He walks with me through the depression or delivers me out of it.
3. Just get moving!
Usually when I am depressed the last thing I want to do is exercise. Exercise is a great technique for coping with depression. You might still be able to exercise. Good for you! Then go for it! As for me there is no way I can get on my bike or do my workout videos. For me, it is usually just small movements and tasks: taking out the trash, making up the bed, washing a load of laundry, taking the dogs for a walk, or picking things up around the house. Just getting off the couch and getting the blood moving does wonders. If I do this often enough, I might have the energy to exercise. Just remember, it does not happen overnight. Be patient with yourself.
4. Take a Warm Bath
One of my favorite techniques for coping with depression is a warm bath. This is so comforting and relaxing I could just stay in there the entire time the depression hangs over my head. The warmth of the water (and I always add bubbles!) massages my skin and massages my stress and darkness away if for just 20 or 30 minutes. Be sure to bring your favorite music along. With the busyness and stress of the day, taking time for yourself, attempting to relax and focus on positive thoughts is a good way to stay the depression.
5. Enjoy Nature
This last technique of coping with depression is the easiest one. Being out in nature where I am walking my dogs or drive my car on a beautifully sunny day when I am depressed, somehow I feel a slight jump or perk in my mood and I know it is because of my surroundings. Because as I walk or as I drive, my eyes light up like a kid at Christmas at all the sights around me. I just cannot get enough of the colors swirling around me. I feel a connection to nature thus to God.
If you use any of these techniques for coping with depression, please email me at [email protected]. I would love to hear about your experiences.