Unfortunately, moving to a new place brings with it the chance that you will feel down from time to time for a myriad of reasons. Sometimes you don’t even realize you’re depressed, and when someone tells you that you seem depressed, you can get defensive. But sometimes it pays to listen to those who notice you and care about you. When you find yourself spending most days on the couch in front of the TV, not wanting to get up and not excited about anything, it’s time to get out of the rut.
We can never have enough strategies to beat depression, so here are some tips in case you are depressed:
- Go outside. Feel the fresh air on her face, even if it’s raining or snowing, just step outside and remember there is life outside your door. Even if it’s just for a few minutes, it will change your body and mind from the same habit and cause a renewed energy to flow through you.
- Change your location. Take a day trip or weekend getaway to a completely different place. If you can’t do that, then venture into the next town! Just change the scenario to allow yourself to break out of the cycle you’re in.
- Meditate: Sometimes sitting on the couch watching TV just helps you keep the deepest thoughts out of your mind. Try to get in touch with what is really bringing you down, and then you can work on your own or with a coach or therapist to overcome it.
- Pet-a-dog. (Or cat, or horse…) In some ways, animals are magical when it comes to depression, and spending just a few minutes with the animal of your choice can work wonders. If you’re allergic, take a Claritin or whatever your favorite allergy medicine is and find an animal to pet. Don’t have one or live near someone who does? Find the nearest pet store and ask to hold a dog or cat even for a few minutes! No pet store? Try an animal shelter. If you live in the country, you can even walk down the road and find a horse in the stable and ask if you can pet it!
- Do one thing on your to-do list. It doesn’t matter how small: buy the tube of toothpaste you need, go to the coffee shop you’ve been wanting to try, do the laundry, just do ONE thing. Action steps help you move forward and get out of the “I’m stuck” feeling.
- Call or email a friend. Pick one person, let them know what’s going on. Do not isolate yourself. Try to unload once and promise yourself and your friend that you will work on strategies to get out of depression, starting the next time you contact him or her.
- Throw out the clutter. The act of throwing away all those papers and boxes and whatever else is causing a mess is very therapeutic!
