Can’t get out of bed in the morning?
I remember when I was in the throes of an ugly clinical depression more than 6 years ago, getting out of bed to face another day of anxiety, stress and feelings of emptiness felt simply overwhelming. And for anyone who knows my story, yes it took yoga, meditation and my dear, sweet yogi sisters to help me turn my life around.
But there's a lot of personal responsibility in making serious change in your life too - I know first hand. There's no magic wand. You have to 1. want to make change 2. have a plan/commitment 3. take action (baby steps) 4. be accountable. UGH Right? But who wants to stay in a place of unhappiness, anxiety and stress?
It may actually be simpler than you think to begin to get out of that place. I mean really, if you're feeling just lousy, why wouldn't you want to feel better? Wouldn't you want to feel better about yourself, your situation, your job, whatever it is that has you stressed and anxious… I'm sure you're nodding.
Depression, anxiety or stress can leave you feeling isolated and alone, so be sure to reach out to someone who can check in with you and provide encouragement. And even that can be a difficult step when you feel crappy. But often that first (hardest) step is the most important one. Share your struggle with someone you trust.
And never forget, if you are having an off day, give yourself a break. There's always tomorrow.
For some other small steps you could take towards helping yourself feel better, think about these ideas:
1. Keep a photo album by your bedside, or a book filled with inspiring quotes
2. Spend at least 20 minutes in the sun each day if possible
3. Give yourself an “event” each day you can look forward to
4. Listen to uplifting music, sing and dance along - for me, it's usually Jack Johnson's Shot Reverse Shot that'll get me going!
5. Exercise in moderation: good options include yoga, swimming, walking, and cycling
6. Make sure you plan some downtime into your day - reading or naptime
7. It’s not always easy to cook for yourself, especially when you feel down so enjoy meals with friends and family
8. Try journaling or free writing
Always take baby steps and make new habits over time. If something doesn’t work, try something else. You can DM me for any questions or suggestions.
Always remember, good mental health is great mental wealth my lovelies.
