Yesterday was a good day.
I got dressed (in jeans). I curled my hair and put on a little makeup.
I sat in the sunshine and listened to a teaching from my favorite Bible teacher.
I spent time with two friends.
I took a walk.
I didn’t need to take a nap.
I’ve spent the last year living in survival mode. Extreme stress, unpredictability and isolation.
As Jackson began to show signs of improvement, I began to feel worse. I wasn’t in survival mode anymore, I was depressed.
Yesterday I listened to a podcast on depression and something the host said resonated so deeply with me.
Jess Connolly spoke about depression being more than just a few hard days.
Prolonged stress or grief can actually impact the serotonin levels in our brain, contributing to symptoms of depression, anxiety and overall emotional dysregulation, she said. Sometimes going through something hard for a prolonged period of time can change your brain chemistry and the way you’re able to even process it. So the hard season can turn into clinical depression.
The many years of parenting a child with unique needs, plus a catatonia diagnosis last Fall, has apparently been more stress than my brain can handle.
Jess went on to share her depression fight plan and I loved it so much I decided to write my own.
Here’s how I’m fighting for my mental health…
Feed and Water Myself
I know this sounds silly, but trying to decide what to eat/cook often feels impossible for me. A simple decision feels paralyzing. So I end up eating crap, drinking too much Dr Pepper and forget water altogether. This isn’t helping me feel better physically or mentally.
Soak Up the Sunshine
This is easier to do in the summer and almost impossible to do in the winter. Sunshine makes a huge difference in my mental health. I’m not taking the sunshine for granted this summer and I’m already trying to figure out how to combat the lack of sunshine come winter. I think I’ll be investing in some light therapy lamps and an extra dose of vitamin D.
Medication
I’m not ashamed to say that I take medication for anxiety and depression. It has been life-changing for me.
Move My Body
Whether it’s a walk in the sunshine or playing pickleball with my husband, I need to move my body. According to my doctor, exercise increases the effectiveness of my medication.
Spend Time in God’s Word
A strong faith does not make anyone immune to depression, but reading and memorizing scripture brings me hope, peace and comfort. I’m currently working my way through this study on depression and I definitely recommend it if you’re a Christian struggling with depression, too.
No Doom Scrolling
I fasted from social media for about three weeks at the beginning of Lent. It was the best three weeks. I need less social media in my life. Doom scrolling is not good for my mental health.
Therapy
I had an amazing therapist for many years when we lived in Oklahoma. Finding someone new, who understands the complexities of our life as a neurodiverse family has been difficult, but I *think* I’ve finally found a therapist.
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