Depression can be debilitating. It can make it hard to get out of bed in the morning, to face the day. It can make it hard to concentrate, to find joy in anything. If you’re struggling with depression, you’re not alone. Many people struggle with depression at some point in their lives. But there are things you can do to get out of a depression funk. Here are a few tips to help you get motivated when you’re feeling depressed.
How To Be More Motivated When Depressed?
When you’re depressed, it can be hard to muster up the motivation to do anything. Everything feels like too much effort and you may feel like you can’t be bothered. But there are things you can do to try and break out of that low mood and get yourself moving again.
First, it’s important to understand that depression can make it hard to do anything, so don’t beat yourself up if you’re finding it hard to get motivated. Just the act of getting out of bed and getting dressed can be a huge achievement when you’re feeling low.
Start small
If you’re finding it hard to do anything, start with small things. Even if it’s just making your bed or having a shower, tick those things off your list and give yourself a sense of achievement. Once you’ve done a few small things, you may find it easier to do more.
Set yourself some goals
It can help to have something to aim for, so set yourself some goals. They could be anything from going for a walk every day to signing up for a night class. Having something to focus on and work towards can give you a sense of purpose and make it easier to find the motivation to do things.
Break things down
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by everything you need to do, break things down into smaller, more manageable tasks. That way you can focus on one thing at a time and not feel so overwhelmed. You may even find it helpful to make a list of things to do, so you can tick them off as you go.
Find your triggers
Try to identify what it is that’s making you feel down or unmotivated. It could be something specific, like work stress, or it could be more general, like feeling lonely or isolated. Once you know what your triggers are, you can start to work on ways to deal with them.
Talk to someone
If you’re struggling to motivate yourself, talking to someone can help. They could be a friend, family member, therapist, or your doctor. Just talking about how you’re feeling can be a huge relief and may help you to see things in a different light.
Try something new
Doing something new can give you a much-needed boost. It could be anything from taking up a new hobby to trying a different type of exercise. Trying something new can help to refresh your mind and give you a sense of achievement.
Find your why
When you’re struggling to find the motivation to do anything, it can help to remind yourself of your ‘why’. Why do you want to do this? What will it help you to achieve? What are the benefits? Focusing on your ‘why’ can help to give you the motivation you need.
Persevere
There will be times when it feels like you’re never going to feel better. But it’s important to persevere and keep going. Depression can be a long battle, but it’s important to remember that it’s not permanent. Things will get better, even if it doesn’t feel like it right now.
Bottom Line
If you are feeling depressed, it is important to seek help from a professional. In the meantime, there are a few things you can do to try and boost your motivation. First, set small goals for yourself and break them down into manageable steps. Second, try to find an activity that you enjoy and stick with it, even if it’s just for a short while. Third, surround yourself with positive people who will support and encourage you. Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
