Depression and what helps me.

Despite a minor episode in the month I am happy to report that my depression all in all has been pretty good.  Sadly for some people around me they have been going through a tough time and although it's difficult to watch I passed on what sometimes can help me.

I then thought that in the pit of depression, where motivation is lost and the only appealing thought is to sleep and/or dissolve I have no idea what to do to bring myself out of the depths.

Talking to a friend he described how depression felt to him.  He said depression is the width and depth of the metaphorical hole beneath him.  Some days there was no hole and he could just walk on and there was no hole.  On a different day he might wake up and it just takes a little effort to get himself out of the hole.  Some days the hole was so deep he could barely see the sky above him and it wasn't wide enough for him to get out at all.

My hole seems to mostly be a step out one these days which I am very grateful for.

A list of things that can sometimes (definitely not always) make me feel better when in a depressive episode;

• Sleep.  
• A tidy environment.
• Tidying the environment.
• Seeing dogs.
• Walking dogs - currently Marley and Snoopy.
• Going on a drive to somewhere by the sea.
• Checking in with friends and if I feel so bad I can't see them just let them know I am having a tough time with depression incase they think I am ignoring them.
• Making healthy meals and freezing batches.
• Clearing out/organising my room/car/kitchen/bathroom.
• Donating unwanted possessions to charity.
• Bringing out Amy or Lauren for dinner.
• Having a productive bath (shaving, face mask, washing hair)
• Being creative - making origami, bath bombs etc.
• Having an honest chat to somebody who will listen about how I feel and feeling no judgement and not getting a list of solutions.
• Drinking lots of water.
• Lighting a candle in a clean room.
• Writing about how I feel - and not publishing it or showing it to anyone.
• Playing guitar.
• Watch an all-time favourite movie like Thumbalina.
• Cry, a lot and tire yourself out so you can sleep and wake feeling better.
• Excercise - yoga especially
• Herbal tea.
• Sex.
• Comfy jammies.
• Being Cosy.
• Plan a new adventure/holiday.
• Literally crying on somebody who cares enough to let you.
• Taking your own space, your own time and remembering to not feel guilty for feeling feelings.
• Escapism - play a game, watch youtube videos.
• Visit Marley - look at the love in his eyes as he manically licks your face.

This could be useless but it's worth a shot.