Skip to main content Skip to bottom nav

What can help me get out of bed when I'm suffering from depression?

30 Answers
Last Updated: 05/27/2019 at 6:38pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
Moderated by

Stacy Overton, PhD.

Counselor

I am an enthusiastic life-long learner and also a professor of counseling. I have a passion for peoples stories and helping to guide and empower the human spirit.

Top Rated Answers
aeris156
May 27th, 2019 6:38pm
something that i've come to realize through suffering from depression is that starting is usually one of the hardest parts. if there's something that i need to do, like work or studying, i tell myself that i only need to work for two minutes. two minutes isn't a very long time, so it feels more doable. i get up and do that work for two minutes, and if i feel like i need a break, i take a five minute break and try again after. if i can keep working, i work for another two minutes, and so on. if there isnt anything pressing i need to get done but i should just get out of bed, i have a checklist: have i eaten today? have i drunk enough water? taken a shower? gone outside? talked to someone? i go through the checklist (making sure to take it easy and be kind with myself), and usually by the time i've gone through at least a few of the items on my checklist, i feel a little better. these are some things that work for me, and that might work for you
positiveWhisper24
March 18th, 2015 2:36pm
Find something to look forward to in the morning that will give you a good enough reason to get out of bed. This can be something as simple as a kind of cereal you like, a hot shower with music. Reward yourself for getting out of bed when you do. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can also help with this, by reframing your thoughts. When you thing "Uhh I'm so tired I want to stay in bed," try following that thought with "But if I get up and take a shower, I'll feel better."
awesomeLight65
December 15th, 2015 12:33pm
When I suffered from depression, I found that creating a chart of activities helped me a lot. No matter how mundane the task was like 'buy milk' or 'listen to Chris Brown's song' I would write it down and when I have done it, I would put a tick on the side. It helped me feel a sense of accomplishment and allowed me to keep going.
AutumnLeigh
May 8th, 2017 8:12pm
Depression can be exhausting and incredibly difficult to motivate yourself to get out of bed. I like to keep fluids on my nightstand so I have to get up to go to the bathroom. From there, I find something that really needs my attention- like the cats food, water, box- or I decide to cook a meal that will keep me on my feet preparing. After that, I can always see something around me I should be doing. It's a matter of baby steps and just getting started, and soon I feel I have enough energy to stay out of bed for the day. Good luck!
realm316
January 26th, 2015 10:53pm
Get a dog, you have to get out of bed to let to dog out or he'll poop and pee all over your house. Also, get a workout partner, you'll let your workout partner down when you skip out.
Anonymous
July 14th, 2015 7:15pm
Having something to wake up for could help. Making a plan for the week that includes exciting or happy things could also be beneficial. When we know we have something to look forward to, it can help motivate us.
Anonymous
March 12th, 2015 9:01pm
Sometimes the hardest part is just getting up and moving. Ease yourself out of bed. Are you hungry? Start there and slowly take small strides to build onto your day. You might also try sleeping with your blinds open so that light comes into your room. Sunlight is a natural mood booster and that may be all the motivation you need to help you get out of bed.
incrediblePurple91
January 11th, 2016 2:00pm
Although it is extremely difficult at times, you must find something you enjoy doing, even if it is small. I enjoy embroidery, drawing, coloring, and being a listener here at 7 cups of tea. In order for me to do any of that, I make sure that I have to get out of bed. My computer, drawing and coloring materials, and embroidery circle are always at my desk, which are in a different room than my bed. When I started doing this, I noticed that it was easier for me to get out of bed so that I could do the things I enjoyed even if it was just for a short period of time :)
Anonymous
January 27th, 2015 4:22am
Remember that you are important and make a difference in someone's life. Set an activity to do to keep yourself distracted.
Shaunislistening
July 6th, 2015 6:54pm
Smart feet. Just make an agreement to get up and show up. Suit up and show up. Suspend your feelings until positive action is taken if possible.
Anonymous
July 10th, 2018 8:02pm
From my experience i’ve found a couple of ways to deal with depression when waking up in time for school. Firstly, set your alarm clock to a sound that will automatically scare the living soul out of you (preferably one that sounds like a bomb). And then for like the actual alarm keep setting it every 5 minutes with it each time saying ‘ If Katniss Can Get Through The Hunger Games So Can You Get Through The day.’ And when you wake up if the weekend is near then think about that or if you have anything good coming up just think about that. Don’t forget to start your day with a grateful heart ❤️ it’s the key to happier mornings.
Anonymous
November 20th, 2017 12:24pm
do the small things, like go take a shower or brush your teeth. when you do things even if they are the small ones you break the circle.
Jydan
June 5th, 2017 12:34pm
Getting out of bed anytime in the day can be challenging. I have animals, and being able to play with them and look after them helps me to get out of bed, as I know I need to at least feed them. Having something fun to do also helps, for me that can be a new game, drawing or simply making a hot chocolate.
Anonymous
May 6th, 2015 4:29am
Don't have a negative mind set. Focus on only the positive that can happen throughout your day. The sun is shining, life is beautiful around the world. And so are you. Keep Smiling :)
SolaceSeeking
January 23rd, 2017 7:07pm
We all face a time where our bed becomes a means of solace for us as we are unsure of what to expect and what we may face when we get out of it. And even though no one realizes it truly, we see that the very depression that causes us to be in bed indefinitely is the same thing that makes us strive to get out of it. It's very often that we overlook the things that make us happy by focusing ourselves on the things that affect us in a negative way. If you are suffering today, I only ask you to reconsider that suffering and really measure it's worth that is it worth holding you back from doing the things you love. If you are in bed today and can't seem to get out of it, think of the things that make you miss sleep or go late to bed. It may be anything from playing your guitar or talking to someone you love. Sometimes, it's better to take the easy way and be happy than to test ourselves and see how long we can endure a certain pain. So, if today you are in bed unwilling to move, I ask from you to close your eyes and think of that passion of yours that always makes you leap from your bed. Let that passion motivate you to be who you truly are.
DesignaBetterWorld
September 19th, 2016 11:47pm
I usually think of my friends and get up to meet them, because I know they will worry about me otherwise.
Anonymous
May 23rd, 2016 5:22am
Give yourself a small reward, thats what i did. I told myself that i had to leave at 8am to school, so if i woke up at 7:45 i would reward myself with a 15 minute nap during the day. This motivated me to wake up at 7:15 because it meant i had a 45 minute nap when i got home
Anonymous
March 22nd, 2016 6:41am
Maybe thinking of the most special person you've ever met, a relative, a friend, whoever is important for you.
LondonGirl22
May 15th, 2015 12:52pm
Try to plan your day out the night before to include little tasks which you reward yourself for doing throughout the day. I find that jumping in the shower helps me as well as listening to music - do what makes you feel good and use that to give you a little initial push.
Anonymous
March 29th, 2016 6:47pm
Making a list on daily tasks you want to complete. Push yourself into accomplishing them. Its going to be hard at first.
cherishedSunrise92
August 8th, 2016 6:02pm
Give yourself an easy task to complete and reward yourself when it's done, this will give you a sense of accomplishment without pushing yourself too hard
strawberrySoul15
November 1st, 2016 10:09am
You can exercise, hang out with (a) friend(s) that you trust the most, go outside and take a walk, or you can go to new places and meet new people. There are mant ways to relive depression.
heyitsveraxoxo
February 29th, 2016 2:35am
Find something you truly enjoy doing! Maybe get a pet. When you have a dog to walk, you'll want (or rather have to) get out of bed to go take care of it. :D
Anonymous
December 28th, 2015 2:07pm
Finding something you love doing is a great idea. There's so many things in this world you can do! Art, poety, dancing, and so many more.
UntilThen
August 8th, 2017 1:04pm
What helps me is to make lots of plans. They don't have to be with other people, they can just be plans to go to the store, but make plans. Even on days when you can't do the things you intended, it gives you a direction to go if you're able to start going.
chloe1594
September 11th, 2017 1:46pm
I would say that the biggest thing to help you get out of bed would be creating yourself a routine that you can stick to. Every morning at a certain time you should try and get up and shower then make sure that you have some breakfast as it is the most important meal of the day and just by doing this will improve your mood massively.
birdwatcher444
December 22nd, 2015 1:07am
Plan out your morning. What will you wear? What will you eat for breakfast? Make a list of priorities, tell yourself that you can get them all done, imagine six impossible things, count down from ten, and get up out of bed. That's what I do. Best of luck, friend! Stay strong! Remember that getting up out of bed in the morning is a fantastic feat, and you are very wonderful. :)
ChasingSunsets7
February 12th, 2018 9:28am
Life is a precious thing that is very limited, everyday is a blessing and an opportunity to try new things. Try creating a list of new things you want to try and accomplish or do, whether is chores, traveling, making something new, it could be anything. And everyday try to get at least one of them done, sooner or later everything will feel natural.
Anonymous
August 17th, 2015 7:31am
Just have a friend or family member who is there for you to drag your butt out of bed. You may be annoyed at the time, but in the long run you won't regret having someone who would drag you out and force you to do things. It helps when you have depression to go outside and just do something other than sit in bed all day being unhappy and moody.
Zenforever2
April 10th, 2015 3:49pm
Think of something happy. Anything really, and try to make the best out of every day. You never know what life holds for you :)