Leah Androski
reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com
Have you ever found yourself being smothered by a dark cloud of smothering thoughts and emotions? During these times of deep depression, it can be helpful to focus on the small pleasures in life. Here are a few ways to fight back against these intrusive thoughts and feelings:
Take a shower. Not a bath, a shower. Be sure to use a temperature you prefer. You do not need to wash your body, just get under the water and let the stream run over you. Sit on the floor if you have to. Moisturize everything. Use whatever lotion you like and use it all over your entire dermis. Put on clean, comfortable clothes afterwards (especially your favorite underwear and PJ's).
Drink a glass of cold, ice water. If you want, add some mint or lemon for an extra kick of flavor.
Find something to clean. It doesn't have to be anything big. You could organize one drawer of a desk, wash five dirty dishes, do a load of laundry, scrub the bathroom sink, or anything else that gives you a feeling of accomplishment. You get extra points if you blast music (preferably
something upbeat and loud with loads of energy). Try stopping for a moment to sing along or dance to the beat, even if you're not the best at either.
Make some food. Don't just grab a Kit Kat bar to munch on. Take the time to make and fix yourself a meal, even if it happens to be beans on toast. Be sure to add something special to it, like a soft-boiled egg or some veggies. When you take the time to prepare your food, it tastes better and you will feel like you accomplished something.
Get creative and make something. Write a short story or poem, draw or color a picture, fold origami, crochet or knit, sculpt something out of clay; do anything artistic. Create! Get your creative juices flowing by spending some time outside, too. Go for a walk, sit in the grass, look at the clouds, smell flowers, put your hands in the dirt and feel the soil against your skin.
Call a loved one, friend, family member or a chat service if you have no one else to call. Talk to a stranger on the street. Engage in a conversation and listen to someone's voice. If you cannot bring yourself to call, text or email, just have some social interaction with another person. Listen to them, even if you do not say much. It helps. Find your pet and cuddle them, if you can. Take pictures of your pet, talk to them, tell them how you feel, talk about your favorite movie, a new game coming out or anything else that comes to mind.
These tips may seem small or silly, but this list keeps people alive. At your absolute best, you will not be good enough for the wrong people. But at your worst, you will still be worth it to the right ones. Remember that. Keep holding on. You are worth your weight in gold, so be kind to yourself and keep pushing on!
Find something to be grateful for!