Three Things to Do When Your Blues Won’t Budge

There’s a difference between waking up on the wrong side of the bed and experiencing depressive-like symptoms. We all share a bad day every once in a while. That’s just a part of life today. However, depression and anxiety are serious issues that must be appropriately addressed.

There used to be a stigma about seeking treatment for mental and emotional health. People can be embarrassed to talk about their feelings openly, often leading to continuous or more profound pain. Thankfully, times are changing when it comes to mental health. Individuals are starting to advocate for their needs, and society is generally beginning to recognize mental health as a significant issue to address.

Everyone is unique, and solutions need to be personalized. Still, it can be overwhelming to figure out how to seek help and where to turn if you or a loved one feels like their sadness is continuous. Also, what helps one person may not be the right solution for another. With that in mind, keep reading for three ways to address your blues if they won’t budge.

1. Get Support

Often the first step to addressing your needs is getting support. This can look like talking with your family, partner, or friends about how you feel. It could also mean finding a therapist to discuss ways to feel happy and more joyful. Your support system can include multiple individuals, from close loved ones to licensed professionals. There’s no such thing as too much support regarding your mental health.

Once you have support, you may need to explore the idea of mental health treatment through prescription medications for anxiety and depression. It’s essential to work closely with your healthcare provider to ensure you are taking the proper medication and dosage. You will want to schedule regular follow-up appointments to ensure the medicine works correctly.

Whether you work with a therapist and take medications or choose just one route, know that getting support is the first step in your treatment plan. You cannot and should not tackle your mental health alone. Working with the right care team and voicing your needs is crucial to your overall well-being.

2. Prioritize You

Listen up if you feel that your energy is going to other people’s needs. Your mental health is of the utmost importance. Whether you are a parent, guardian, caregiver, or anything in-between, you need to prioritize your needs. It would be best if you let go of the feeling that you are required 24/7 by someone else. After all, it is your life, and you must take care of yourself to live well.

Now, this can be not easy and challenging, depending on your role. You may feel physically tied to your newborn if you’re a new parent. The same goes if you are a caregiver to an elderly family member or even a teacher with a classroom of students. This is where your support system will come in handy. Ask for support and accountability to spend some time focusing solely on you.

How you spend this time is entirely up to you. Maybe you take 15 minutes to walk around the block by yourself. Or perhaps you decide to take a shower or bath without any interruptions. You could even use this time for an in-person or virtual therapy session. No matter what you choose to do with the time, focus on yourself and your needs at that moment.

3. Create a Routine

Do you feel like you didn’t accomplish anything? Maybe you feel like your to-do list just got longer with work tasks and home projects. Or perhaps you feel like everyone else’s needs went before yours (see tip #2 if that is you). Creating a simple routine or structure for your day can help you feel more accomplished come bedtime.

While the influencers of the world love sharing their multi-hour morning routine, yours by no means needs to look like that! While you may implement some of their ideas, you don’t need to do all of them to be on track. The key to creating a stick routine is making it practical and designed for you. The harder it is, the less likely you will do it.

When creating your routine, think about your goals, then break down ways to get them accomplished. For example, if one of your goals is to not wake up in a panic state of alertness, maybe you commit to waking up 30 minutes earlier. You can wake up while the kids are still asleep and complete a few tasks before hurrying to get them to school. Remember, the more you practice your routine, the more grateful you will feel about what you have done by the end of the day.

Takeaways

If you can’t seem to get out of a funk and are experiencing long-lasting periods of sadness, it’s time to address your mental health. Talking about how you are feeling can help you not only feel better but also get the treatment you may need. Asking others for time just for you can boost how you feel and reset your mind. Also, adding structure to your day can help you feel more accomplished.

Of course, always seek the advice of a medical professional if you are experiencing any mental health crisis. There are resources available online for immediate help and long-term assistance.