Transform Your Life with Valiant Path Counseling

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Depression can look different for everyone. 

Situational depression is referred to as Adjustment Disorder with depressed mood, and can occur in response to stressful or painful situations such as job loss, illness, a crisis, natural disasters, accidents, moving to a new school, city or home or other unexpected life changes. It can look like having difficulty sleeping, low or no motivation, isolation and distancing from friends and family, apathy, feelings of sadness, feeling hopeless, worthlessness, irritability or frustration. 

Depression can co-exist with anxiety and other mental health disorders but can make it difficult to function when it comes to relationships, activities, work, family and other aspects of our life. 

When we experience depression it can be so difficult to complete everyday tasks. Simple things like taking a shower, getting dressed, exercising, socializing with friends and family can become such a hassle when we are struggling with motivation and apathy. Incorporating mindfulness and coping skills can help decrease negative feelings, sadness and feelings of hopelessness. Finding ways to practice mindfulness whether it's for 5 minutes a day or a couple times a week it can become part of our routine and help us.

1.Practicing our breathing by smelling the flowers when we inhale and blowing out the candle when we exhale help us  be present in our body and can help decrease our heart rate and make us feel more stable. 

2. When we exercise we release good feeling hormones (endorphins) that make us feel better, even if we may be struggling to run that mile. 

3. Journaling can help us recognize our thoughts and feelings in a way that can be helpful to problem solving or simply releasing that consistent thought. 

4. Hanging out with friends and family can makes feel good because of the good company and fun activities we are participating in.

5. Listening to your favorite song can recall past experiences or memories that can increase our motivation or feelings of happiness. 

6. Getting out of our head or our normal space and going for a drive can help increase motivation was we have a change of scenery or enjoying our senses around us as we drive.

7. Stretching our body can help managing stress and help relax our bodies. 

8. Drinking a cold glass of water can help us be present in the here and now and helps lower our body temperature so we can reduce the magnitude of the physiological responses we have to stress.