Anxiety and Depression: 5 Tips for Bad Days

For those dealing with anxiety or depression, when you have days where you feel either incredibly low or feel nothing at all, it always seems like you will remain in this state indefinitely. It feels like you’re the only person who has dealt with these emotions. Don’t worry though, I know how you feel, and that’s because you’re not alone. Thousands of people deal with the same thing you do, including myself.

For many, It’s hard to get the energy to do some of the things many people suggest (such as working out or going out with friends). Though it is wonderful advice, and for those who can muster the strength to take it should definitely take it, however, for many of us, these tips don’t cut it.

Here are 5 things that I do in order to make me feel better, it’s not a cure, of course, but it helped me immensely!

1. Write it out. Whenever I feel overwhelmed or even underwhelmed, I pull up a blank Google Doc and begin to write. I write out exactly what I feel, why I think I feel that way, and how I wish I could feel. It’s basically like venting to yourself, and trust me, it’s amazing. Being able to articulate my emotions into words helps me understand what exactly I could change in order to improve my situation. Sometimes, handwriting can have an even more calming effect.
2. Self care is everything. When I go through a bad spell, it usually lasts for  couple days. When you feel so drained, it’s difficult to remember some important things in order to help you feel as well as possible. Showering always improves my mood, be sure to stay hydrated and fed, and sometimes, some cookies or ice cream doesn’t hurt! Remember, your mental health and happiness are of the utmost importance.
3. Watch TV or YouTube. My mom is adamantly against this advice, however, being able to leave your mind for at least 20 minutes does wonders and is a great distraction. If you’re not the the techie type, a good book is always the perfect option. For me personally, I tend to stay away from sad or scary documentaries or stories during these times, comedies are the best option!
4. Leave your room. Whenever I have bad days, I tend to stay curled up in bed, refusing to get out. I keep scrolling through my phone and computer and I never feel any better. In my experience, I’ve realized that human contact is so important. Try to visit a parent, sibling, or roommate’s room and talk to them face to face. Being able to unload my worries by discussing them with my mom helps me feel a hundred times better, even if I know exactly what she is going to say. You can either discuss how you’re feeling or try and talk about something else to distract yourself, whatever works for you! Everyone has different things which help them the best.
5. Get organized! I always love putting on upbeat music and just organizing my thoughts on a piece of paper or cleaning up my room. I don’t care if it takes all day, go at your own pace regardless of how fast or slow it is. Messy areas can cause stress, so if you ever feel overwhelmed, I suggest tidying up a bit, it always works for me.

The most important thing to remember: You are not alone. I have been dealing with a rare type of anxiety since I was young; I thought that there was something wrong with me my whole life and when I finally mustered the courage to Google the symptoms and then later on, see a doctor, I was overcome with relief. I realized that I wasn’t the only one, I just have a mental illness that thousands of others deal with as well. Knowing this fact made all the difference in the world.