I need motivation ideas

@sweetgirl95

So sorry to hear that you are experiencing difficulties with living a healthier lifestyle due to depression. Having any type of (Emotional or Mental) challenges & "baggage" can surely make things more difficult in finding any type of motivation to move forward.

Although there really is "No One answer Fits All", (as everyone is different)..... the first steps to take are thinking about what it is that you not only want , but also what you can "manage" right now as well. You don't want to "overwhelm" yourself with things at first.

I'm not sure if you are wanting to work on your "Food Habits", "Physical Activity" or a combination of "Both"? .... So suggestions might be to first and foremost "Start SMALL"!........Physcial, Emotional, Mental Health & Well-being ALL go "Hand-in-Hand" with one another... When you work on one area and start to feel good, then in time, all the other areas start to come together too. It takes some work, but in time, you will see results....

Maybe start small, by keeping a "Journal"... you can write down the things you would like for yourself, or where you'd like to see yourself. Write down the foods you eat, or any activity you might've gotten that day, or Really just any "POSITIVE" changes or things you did in that particular day..... Then start to look at your food, maybe start to elimate or simply "Swap" for healthier versions!..... Like Swap White foods for Brown foods (Potatoes, rice, bread) etc....Or limit yourself to "Treats" on "one" special day a week. Like maybe your favorite day of the week only?...

As far as activity, this might be more of a challenge for most, But, starting small by simply getting outdoors, taking in the scenery and your surroundings, getting "Fresh air" is a simple start...Being outdoors in the sunshine can help to improve those "Serotonin" levels in our brain (the Feel Good Chemical).... Then gradually increase your time outdoors, take a walk, one day maybe try 10 minutes, the next day maybe 15 or 20... and so on!.... Then at the end of your day, "journal" your day, what you experienced on your walk, what you saw, how it made you feel (During and Afterwards!)... Try to look at it like a daily activity for yourself. Set your mind to find "one" positive thing in that day, or during that walk or activity time.

My biggest motivator that i like to tell people is "Find something that you "Like" or "Love" and it will NEVER" seem like a workout!.. (Dancing, Walking, Swimming etc...etc...) And if you have a friend or Relative that you are close with, perhaps they could even join you with some of these?!... Having an accountability partner can be really motivating and help in your efforts!

But always try to journal somewhere about your day, and what you experienced,... It doesn't have to be long, maybe a simple sentence or paragraph. You'd be really surprised how it can make you feel afterwards to get your true feelings out. Its like a "Cleanse" for all your emotional baggage on the "inside"~

Taking some of these steps ,may certainly help you to move forward (And I always advise anyone experiencing Depression) that if they haven't already, and are able to, if its severe enough that it keeps you from living your daily life, please reach out for more professional support as well (Via a Counselor or Therapist) if you have the means to do so....And we also have many great listeners here to help support you in your efforts. It can also be cleansing to open up and get those feelings out.

Know that we are happy to support you in your Healthy Living journey in any way that we are able. And also if you haven't done so, you can also check in to our Depression Support Community as well!

BEST OF LUCK TO YOU!

@sweetgirl95

Personally, I found that playing a musical instrument can really uplift one's day. I've started on the harmonica, and it really cheers me up.

@sweetgirl95

In my fight against deression I feel I need a partener or allies...a partener or frieds. Life can resume on itself if you have someone by ypur side, not to do your work but just keep you company...after all life is given to be enjoyed, not to be miserable...

@sweetgirl95

As I just said to someone else here...

The secret is getting rid of fixed negative mindsets that developed and..
start thinking like you were playing as a kid,
when moving was fun, and it wasn't exercise..
it was doing what felt good..
making it a game..
making it as easy and fun as possible.

Ditch ideas about exercise and the gym..
that's all marketing hype from the fitness industry
trying to get you to read their articles and
sell you their equipment and their membership contracts.

Moving by itself can feel really good.
It can be very simple, like a quick stretch, or a quick dance move.

The trick is to experiment and find what you feel is fun and easy.

Forget big goals and pressuring yourself.

The secret to success is to..
Keep it mini tiny, so small and easy it takes almost no will power to do.
Like something you can do right now and only takes 30 seconds to do.
Do it and celebrate what feels good right away.
Say: Yay! You did it. You're having fun! And it feels good!
Then just repeat that and see what works.
Modify what you do over time as you come up with new ideas.
Add music.
Find videos you like on YouTube to move to.

Then as you start to re-learn to like moving like you were as a small kid,
the mini tiny small habits will grow into
all kinds of fun movement things you discover you like to do.

It takes time but it's all constant progress that way.

I posted many threads with idea videos if you need ideas.

Let us know what you think you might like
and we can help you figure it out more if needed.

Other healthy habits can start the same way, tiny and mini and so easy to start and make grow. Just think of ways you most want to be successful right now health-wise.