What is the first step in self-care for depression?
34 Answers
Last Updated: 05/03/2022 at 5:13am
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Jennifer Patterson, LMFT
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Life can be messy. Sometimes you need a little support to make your way through it. I love to help guide people through their challenges & to find the beauty in our messes.
Top Rated Answers
First step is acknowledging that depression is a chronic medical illness and not just a momentary ac feeling. Since it's chronic, it's very important to seek professional help to find out different treatment options and working with therapists or doctors to decide what's best treatment for yourself. Some people are able to manage depression on their own, however, since depression can be so disabling, many people struggle to manage it with lack of proper support and treatment and fall back into the cycle of hopelessness and helplessness. Being on constant emotional roller coaster can take serious toll on our life. So seeking out help is the most bravest and important step in the self care
Anonymous
August 18th, 2015 6:41am
Sometimes self help is better for some people. Start trying to do things that make you happier and avoid people, situations, things, etc. that might put you in more of a depressed mood.
You've already taken it. You took the effort to come on here first of all and you are looking to find ways to accept & take care of yourself.
Now, just try accept yourself the way you are. If you want to learn self-care, then you just learned a great big secret. - Accepting yourself!
If you don't love yourself, it will be harder to find someone or rather believe someone when they love you
To learn to love yourself.
Know that Depression doesn't make you any less of a person deserving of love. Learn to love yourself by doing things you enjoy, however, if you can't pull yourself to doing things, try and just accept yourself. Don't beat yourself up. Don't be mad at yourself if some days you can only wake up.
Anonymous
July 21st, 2015 9:22pm
It sounds like a cliche but, in my experience, realizing something is wrong is a really important first step. From there, you can begin to craft a plan of action that includes professional help, healthier lifestyle components, and a personal support network.
I think that the first step in self-care would be admitting that you are in fact depressed, and educating yourself on depression. You can educate yourself best by talking to a doctor or therapist.
Remember your happy and cheerful days as it will trigger a desire to get those things back. Happy days often brings hope and shine in our eyes. The shine we are looking for lies there and then you will start to miss the old version of yourself and your mind will automatically remind you of the real you. Once it started then you could make a way to excel in a positive direction. This process will go on and beside it writing your exact feelings or talking to closed ones would help. There is a high need to spend a lot of 'me time' because you need time to clear all the mess that leads to depression. And offcourse it will help you to regain your lost confidence.
I would say, making a routine and take care of the human basic needs. I know it's not easy but I promise, build a habit and commit to it will be rewarding. Making one goal at a day, and taking small step is a good way to start, then adding it gradually until you become the person you want to be. The bad feelings might not disappear right away, but completing some goals in life always sparks joy, doesn't it? You can change and shower youself with love like if you taking care of a sick someone you love. Just be gentle.
Try to be productive and get things done. Setting schedules will help with this. Whether it’s doing school work, tiding up or doing a job that you’ve been putting off for a while, it will help. It keeps your mind busy so you are focussing on something else and it makes you feel better about yourself because you will have achieved something that say. Exercise can really help too (even if it is just a small amount) because it will help you feel less tired and it is good for both your mental health and physical health. Make sure to try and take some time out for self care too
Anonymous
July 19th, 2016 3:52am
Accept you have depression and start to distract yourself of bad thoughts, walking, reading, even watch movies can help.
Getting your self out of bed! This seems small but it is one of the biggest accomplishments to achieve with depression. Sometimes depression can make us feel sad and unmotivated or even unable to get out of bed. Push through that, jump up, and get going to a productive day that you'll be proud of later.
The first step is realizing that you deserve better. Depression can hit anyone, and it can hit hard. There are many approaches to dealing with your depression, but the first step is always realizing that enough is enough and that you want positive change. The next step is to talk to a doctor, or therapist, or counselour, or to go to 7 Cups. :)
Anonymous
January 2nd, 2018 6:27pm
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can really benefit your mental health, such as a healthy diet, plenty of sleep and leisure activities for example.
Anonymous
November 15th, 2021 2:14pm
I believe that the first step for self-care for depression is action. You may not believe that you are worth taking care of yourself and that is okay. That may take time. By action, I mean setting small routines before and after bed, even if you do not feel like doing them. This can be as small as washing your face before bed so you feel cleaner. Or making sure you brush your teeth every morning when you wake up. Overtime, these small routines will grow and turn into bigger things like maybe going to the gym a few times a week.
Anonymous
April 4th, 2017 5:51pm
Identifying that a problem exists with which you need help from someone aside from yourself. As is often said, knowing is half the battle.
The first step for self-care in depression is to take time for yourself.
Can't leave the house? Don't. It'll be a lot more painful leaving home than going out unless you have something to help distract you like drawing or music that can help put your mood up. If you have a job or school, make sure to make calls or send emails to ensure people know what's up and why you're absent. People are very understanding and will allow you to tend to your depression.
The first step is accepting that you are depressed. Accept that you feel bad and that feeling is temporary. Once you come to terms with your depression you can begin to heal
Anonymous
October 25th, 2016 5:39am
changing the ambience or atmosphere. the place where you think the most. you need to change the area.
Usually the first step is to learn to stop all criticism. But if that’s a bit too steep of a climb, then learning to believe you can do that would be the first step. This begins with setting time aside every day to rewrite the stories that are patterned in your brain. Maybe in the morning and evening, or during the day. At this scheduled time one sits down and contemplated on what their life is like. One watches their thoughts, perhaps. Sees them jostling for attention. And then begins to learn to choose the ones they actually want.
Anonymous
October 4th, 2016 1:29pm
Baby steps in everything. Taking care of your physical health is quite crucial and should be one's focus.
Don't let your depression get you! Always try to send the bad thoughts away. Visualise your problem - your depression is like a big dark monster sitting on your neck, and it is up to you whether you'll learn how to live with it, or try and send it away.
i believe the first step in self care would have to be admitting that you are depressed and that you need help. its ok to be nervous about reaching out. depression is tough and no one should have to go through it alone.
Understanding yourself and what you need the most, Also wanting to help yourself and allow others to help you. Knowing that it's not a weakness to ask for help.
The first step in self-care for depression is to tell someone. Tell a trusted adult that your not having safe thoughts and tell them exactly how you are feeling. I am bipolar manic and I was depressed for a very long time. It took all I had to tell my mom, and not cut. It still tries to come back and shove to the ground and feel worthless but I am not. I am trying to get new tools to help me with the horrific thoughts. And I have many of them here at use for me when I need to, no matter where I go.
Personally, I think it's accepting it. It's a part of you and it can be managed. It could last a hedger from a day to the rest of your life. Some days will be harder than others. But you need to accept that it doesn't have to have a big impact on your life. From there, speak with close friends or family or anyone that you trust. Tell them about it. Let your feelings out. Don't keep it bottled up inside. If possible, speak with a therapist or any listner on 7 cups to help you cope with difficult days. In the end as long as you're willing to help yourself, take the first step and look for anyone who can help.
knowing that there is no true self care. you should seek out professional help or find someone to understand your feelings. it's same as trying to be a surgeon and operate yourself.
Anonymous
March 14th, 2016 11:49pm
The first step is acknowledging the issue and recognizing the need for change. Once you see the issue, you can work on dealing with it properly.
I think acceptance is always a good first step to anything. Also, ignorance isn't something that helps. When I realized that I could possibly be depressed, I accepted it and went to see a counselor. I know how hard and scary it can be, but in the end, it was okay for me. So, it could be okay for others too, even though no two people are ever the same.
My opinion is that the first step in self-care for depression is believing that YOU deserve recovery!
Natural health-mental/physical/spiritual, no drugs/alcohol, meditation, pets, exercise, talking to people/being with others, helping other people/giving, doing things that you enjoy, feeling stability on all levels, being kind to yourself...
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