Game plan for conquering my depression

Sooner or later, everyone gets the blues. Feeling sadness, loneliness, or grief when you go through a difficult life experience, it is part of being human. And most of the time, you can continue to function. You know that in time you will bounce back, and you do. But what if you don’t bounce back? What if your feelings of sadness linger, are excessive, or interfere with your work, sleep, or recreation? What if you’re feeling fatigue or worthlessness, or experiencing weight changes along with your sadness? Well my friends that is depression, something I'm very familiar with because I have it. I'm not ashamed of it nor do I keep it a secret, it's just something I have to deal with. Over the years I have learned how to recognize and cope with my depression, but lately it has been out of control.  My latest bout of depression was triggered by leaving my friends and family in Utah and moving to California. I have also had a lot of life changes this year including the death of my dad, who was my everything. So there are the reasons I have been so depressed but what do I do about it? Well after laying in bed crying I have decided I'm not going to let this beat me. If there is anything I have learned in my life it's that I can do difficult things, including conquering my depression. Here is my game plan:

1. Get ready every morning, even if you don't have nowhere to go.

I did it this morning and it really does work! This is based on the Look Good, Feel Good theory. 
It’s as simple as that: When you look good, you feel good, and when you feel good, you’re going to be more productive, energetic, and of course, more confident in everything you do. Self-confidence is an essential attitude if you want to move forward and conquer depression. Plus you have no excuses when plans do come up cause you are ready to go. So get up, get ready and face the day.

2. Treat yo self

I love Parks and Recreation and I love this concept! You are amazing and wonderful and deserve to Treat Yo Self! It doesn't have to be something big, but try to do it every day. It can be as simple as taking a bath or watching your favorite show. This morning I treated my self with a hot mug of Pero and an episode of The Office, and it felt great!

3. Exercise

So this is the hardest one for me to do when I'm depressed, but it is so important!  Exercise helps beat depression that’s not just a theory, but scientific fact. But that doesn’t mean the benefits of exercise for beating or preventing depression require you to sign up for the next Ironman competition. After all, mustering up the energy to even get out of bed during our worst moments can be a real struggle. I know my self well enough to know that I'm not going to stick with running, its boring and I just don't like it. So I signed up for U-Jam classes. There are a lot of different options out there, you just have to find what works for you.

4. Eat Better = Feel Better

When you feel like crap you eat like crap and then feel even worse..... and it turns into a never ending cycle. It's time to break that cycle! I'm kicking junk food to the curb!

5. Look for the beauty all around you

When I'm depressed I only focus on the negative things in my live. When you're in a downward spiral it's so difficult to notice all the great things around you. To help me switch my focus I started a gratitude journal. I know it sounds really corny, but it works! Today I have been way more focused on the positive things because I'm taking the time to write them down.

6. Help Others

I am the happiest when I'm helping others. I don't know why, but it just makes me happy. So I'm going to look for more ways to help and serve those around me.

7. Fake it, till you make it

This one is a little controversial, cause we are always told not to be fake. Well I'm not talking about BEING fake, I'm talking about doing the things that you would normally do when you are happy and loving life! I'm talking about smiling at someone, when smiling is the last thing in the world that you want to do. To accomplish this I repeat mantras to myself like "I am a happy person" "People are drawn to my positive energy"...I know it sounds cheesy...and you will feel stupid but it works! I did it this morning and throughout my day and I really do feel happier.

So That's my game plan. Just writing down these goals have given me hope. For the first time in weeks I'm feeling determined :)

I would love to hear what everyone else does to get happy! Please comment below.