Anyone who’s experienced a depressive episode knows how damaging it is to a person’s energy and self-esteem. It can feel like an uphill battle trying to get back to their usual routine—what’s more, the people surrounding a person with depression might not understand their loved one.
Learning more about this condition is the first step to figuring out what coping mechanisms work best. Besides going for counseling services, here are some solo activities that could help in dealing with depression.
Try Outdoor Activities
Getting fresh air and engaging in physical activity is a proven mood booster. There are plenty of activities you can do outdoors—here are some of them.
Take a Walk or Ride a bike: Strolling through a park, touring your neighborhood, or just walking outdoors releases endorphins. This hormone is responsible for elevating the mood. Similarly, bike rides, rollerblading, and skateboarding also help you release those happy hormones. Many neighborhoods and cities have bike rental or bike-share programs, letting you explore a new area of town at your convenience.
Go Swimming: You might not automatically think ‘beach’ when considering outdoor activities, especially if it’s not summertime. However, you don’t have to wait until it’s hot out for you to get some sun. You can relax in the sun, practice some laps, or splash around in the shallows. If there aren’t any beaches nearby, you can check if the local community center has a public swimming pool.
Read in a Park: For some, being with other people can help reduce feelings of loneliness. Sitting with a good book and some snacks at the park can help you fight depression—you don’t even have to interact with anyone, just be among other people.
Work with Plants: Studies show that gardening reduces symptoms of depression. When you work physically with soil, plants, and tools, you keep your mind from drifting to unhelpful thoughts. Besides keeping you occupied at present, gardening gives you something to look forward to—a thriving backyard or windowsill full of greenery.
Keep Busy Indoors
At times, depression can make it difficult to leave the house. Also, unless your therapist offers online counseling services, it can be tricky to figure out why you’re feeling withdrawn. Here are things that could help you stay active when you can’t muster enough energy to step outside.
Prepare a Meal: Like gardening, preparing a meal helps you do something that’s both physical and creative. Rhythmic tasks like chopping food or stirring a pot can be soothing, and having a nice bite to eat is a nice reward for your work.
Soak in a Bath: Nothing screams self-care like a nice, warm, and bubbly bath. Light a couple of candles, put on some music, and bring a good read with you to help you soothe your frayed nerves.
Try Arts and Crafts: Expressing yourself through writing, sketching, knitting or other creative works can be an outlet for your emotions. Arts and crafts help you focus on technique and require your full attention, which means unhelpful thoughts don’t have room to creep in.
Play Games: Video gaming, board games, and puzzles can stimulate and refocus your mind. If you aren’t the artsy type, you can pick up a video game or solve puzzles—these can help you channel your creativity, reduce your stress, and keep you from ruminating on negative things.
Do Chores: For some people, household chores are calming. Dusting shelves, organizing bookcases, washing dishes, or hanging clothes can help you take your mind off things.
Pursue Mindfulness
Besides chores and solo activities, you can pursue things like yoga and meditation. There is plenty of documentation on the health benefits of these activities. For example, yoga is more than a physical practice; it is also spiritual. When you take up yoga, you improve your overall mental and physical health. Meditation, especially breathing exercises, can also help chronically anxious or depressed people get a hold of their emotions and stay calm.
Conclusion
Depression is a chronic and debilitating condition affecting people of all ages, socioeconomic statuses, and ethnic groups. Going through a depressive episode isn’t easy, but you can make it manageable. Keeping yourself busy through art, physical activity, and mindfulness also helps.
Hope Seed Support Center knows how challenging it is to live with depression, which is why we take mental health concerns seriously. We offer online counseling services in Beaumont, TX, helping parents and children navigate tough situations with love. Schedule an appointment today for more information.
