online school & depression

@leenabeena

I... Take frequent breaks when possible... away from screens...

get sunshine... fresh air... exercise... take a short walk... do something fun.. like a hobby... or make a meal and eat it... anything healthy... make a routine of it... and look forward to it as a reward... for doing the school stuff... and make a game of it somehow (gamify).

All those things worked for me. I got lots of routines that I refine... and get better at... doing things that way. Makes me feel more in control... and makes it easire to make things better... little by little.

I... Start simple... I make a simple tiny habit...
pick it so it's very very easy to do... so success guaranteed...
then keep repeating ALWAYS DAILY
until it becomes an automatic habit... and part of what I just do... and I'm comfortable doing.

It takes while for the habit to form... but then it's automatic
if one always keep it simple... at a minimim requirement.
Do more if wanted... but it's not required to keep the habit going.
Repetition and keeping it easy at minimum keeps it going.
Making it too hard at minimum... stops it from being a habit usually.
So I keep it easy at minimum... all that keeps me happy too.

@leenabeena,

If your friend was in your exact situation, what would you tell them? What need of yours is not being fulfilled, if any?

@leenabeena

Heyy Leena,

It is very hard and it's completely okay if you would like to take days off.

For me, I found that having a schedule really worked for me. I would include times where I would dance and sing my heart out. I always left my blinds open as sunlight promotes positivity. Going out to walk increases productivity and motivation which worked for me.

I had a calendar where I put stickers up for surviving the day, finishing a piece of homework and doing something I would not have done because I was scared. And at the end of each week, I would have a full dessert feast with cookies and brownies and chocolate.

If I feel really sad, I drink a cup of hot chocolate and take a break and cry if I want to.

What i usually do is tell myself, "if can't enjoy anything might as well do something productive".

I understand I feel the same. Sometimes it is difficult to get the energy and emotional vitality to be able to carry out school tasks. I think the only thing you can do is try to do them anyway to make sure you don't have another problem, in this case, the drop in ratings. If you are not feeling well at the moment it is better to talk to someone or do something you like because it is also not worth it to be insisting on these situations.

I find that keeping a routine helps! Waking up at the same time every morning, making my bed, doing some yoga, whatever I think I need that morning for self-care.