When it comes to Depression, sometimes doing things 'halfway,' is okay

Taking care of yourself can feel overwhelming during a depressive episode. Even the smallest tasks can feel overwhelming, and that’s okay. That's to be expected.

But, self care doesn’t have to be perfect – its about doing what you can, when you can. Every small step counts towards maintaining your well being, even if it feels insignificant in the moment.

Here are some ideas to make self- care more manageable.

Small changes to your environment

-          Open your blinds or curtains to let in natural light, even if its just for a few minutes

-          Turn on a fan, or open a window for fresh air

-          Change rooms. If you have been spending most of your time in one room of your house,

change rooms to change up your scenery

Simple Hygiene Habits

-          Dry shampoo your hair to feel a little cleaner without the effort of washing

-          Use wet wipes or a damp washcloth to freshen up if a full shower feels like too much

-          Keep a toothbrush and toothpaste by your bedside to make oral care easier

-          Put on deodorant for a small boost in feeling refreshed

Clothing and Appearance

-          Change your clothes. Even if it’s just swapping a single item, like socks or a shirt

-          Put on comfortable, clean clothes to help shift your mindset, even slightly

Hydration and Nourishment

-          Drink water, even if it’s just a few sips. Keeping a water bottle within reach can help

-          If eating feels hard, start small with snacks like crackers, fruit, or a granola bar

Boosting Comfort

-          Wrap yourself in a cozy blanket, or wear soft comfortable socks to ground yourself

-          Use a heating pad or weighted blanket to soothe your body

Gentle Movement

-          Stretch your arms or legs while sitting down to ease tension

-          Walk to another room to shift your perspective

Small, Mindful Actions

-          Take three deep breaths to center yourself and reduce tension

-          Play your favorite song or a calming playlist to lift your mood slightly

-          Give yourself grace, and practice self- compassion

One of the hardest things to learn when struggling with mental health, is that ‘halfway’ is better than nothing. Take the 50% or 40% or even 20% effort on your hard days. Scrubbing your face is better than not taking a shower at all. Picking your clothes up off the floor is better than not cleaning at all. Eating a piece of bread is better than starving.

Do things halfway. Now you’re better off than you were before.

Someone once said to me “anything worth doing, is worth doing poorly.” I didn’t understand that for years, because I didn’t feel like I should do anything poorly.

But brushing your teeth is better than not brushing them at all, when those two minutes seems exhausting. Doing 10 minutes of cardio is better than 10 minutes of sitting. Changing your clothes is good enough when a shower seems impossible. Standing outside and getting fresh air for a few minutes is worth it after being in the house for three days straight because you don’t have the energy to go anywhere.

Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly once in a while, because sometimes doing it poorly, is better than not doing it at all.

Self- care doesn’t need to be perfect or elaborate. Be kind to yourself, take it one step at a time, and know that even the smallest actions matter.