Depression

2.

Depression is a medical illness that affects how you think, act, and feel. You might notice fatigue, lack of interest in activities you once loved, difficulty concentrating, sleeping too litle or too much, feeling sad, worthless, or guilty.

Check your symptoms

How to Deal with Depression

Podcasts - Coping with Depression

Check your thoughts.

Often when we are struggling, loved ones will say 'just think positive'. This is generally unhelpful. However, you may consider challenging the thoughts you are having with facts of the situation. This could be written down, typed into your phone, or simply a mental exercise. Here are a few examples of what this may look like:

Unhelpful Thought

I am a failure.

I am going to feel likes this forever.

I don't connect with anyone.

I have had and have accomplishments in my life like being a student at WVWC.

I have felt this way before and it did not last forever.

I have felt this way before and it did not last forever.

- or -

I do connect with people: (name them) (they are not necessarily people on campus but other connections

in life).

Factual, Challenging Thought

Reach out for support
Practice non-judgement
Read a book
Watch a favorite movie or TV show
Listen to your favorite music
Draw, sketch, color
Journal
Do a puzzle or crossword
Take a relaxing shower
Deep breathing
Tapping
Abstain from alcohol consumption
Get a massage
Do yoga

Meditate
Take a short nap
Gentle stretching
Cry
Go to group therapy
Cook
Pray/go to religious ceremony
Practice mindfulness
Drink water
Exercise
Eat right
Visit friends

Self Care

Have you heard the term 'self care' before but never quite understood what it meant?

Self care is taking intentional steps and making choices to build a life you don't need to regularly escape from. This can be "treating yourself" to a face mask, movie, or dinner. But self care is also parenting yourself and making choices for your long-term wellness. This includes drinking water, getting enough sleep, incorporating movement, and nourishing your body. When struggling with depression, it can often feeling like these tasks are impossible. However, they are taking care of your most basic human needs and essential to your healing process.

Self care is not trying to "fix yourself" by a few small acts but rather actively take care of yourself over and over again. It may seem like a daunting task to undertake but by picking just one is a huge step!

Below are some additional examples of practices you may begin implementing in your day-to-day life to help heal the depressive symptoms you may be experiencing: