How to Make it Through a Day
- Tell your teachers about your situation so they can be more sensitive with assignments, time and encouragement. Encourage your parents to work with them to make a plan for homework, too.
- Talk to a friend that you really trust about your feelings.
- Keep track of your feelings with a journal.
- Work with a therapist that you like and are comfortable with.
- Find something to give you focus and structure and if you need to cut back on activities that's o.k.
- Accept and respect the illness, it is treatable—dealing with depression is a process—a long-distance run, not a sprint.
- Learn more about depression—the more you know, the more you can pay attention to your progress and day-to-day feelings.
Take Care of Yourself
Sure, stress is a part of life, but when you're dealing with depression, getting control of everyday stressors will help make your journey that much more successful.
Try these tips:
Eat Well
Junk food feels good. But it won't help you feel better. You need the right octane to deal with your illness. And you need to eat, even if you don't feel like it. Talk to your doctor for an eating plan that delivers the fuel your mind and body need. Then stick to the plan as best you can.
Sleep
Easier said than done. Sometimes, you get too much, sometimes you can't sleep at all. Plan to hit the sack at the same time every evening. And don't nap. Lower the lights, turn off your music and computer—making it boring may help you sleep.
Get and Keep Active
Give yourself a break - get moving. Do it for 30 minutes every day and you'll eventually look forward to the time where you don't have to be anybody, do anything, be anywhere.
Get Balanced
Yoga, meditation, centering. If you're on medication, it will help it work more effectively. If you're having trouble sleeping, it may help you sleep as well as you can. It may help you focus on your studies, or even get out some of your feelings. These techniques are centuries old—getting as balanced as you can helps make everything else you do more effective.
More tips in our Small Guide to Self Care
Where To Get Help
New Trier Winnetka Campus Social Work Department
Tom Golebiewski Social Work Chair (847) 784-2255
New Trier Northfield Campus Social Work Department & Learning Center
Tiffany Myers Social Work Chair (847) 784-7509
Erika's Lighthouse
www.erikaslighthouse.org
Haven Youth & Family Services
847-446-5606 24 Hours
www.havenforyouth.org
|
