Let's Cope with Seasonal Depression

Y’all know my obsession with depression. 

I’m obsessed because I sincerely can’t remember a time that I wasn’t battling depression. (Yes even on the AT)

I talk about it so much because I rarely see anyone else who is and I KNOW that if someone was talking about it in a casually, hopeful, understanding, and healthy way I would not have had some of the hardest, loneliest experiences that I did. 

HERES HOW I’M COPING THIS YEAR:

🧠 Working with my brain, not against it. 

-> I’m reciting affirmations like ‘Just show up and do it imperfectly. That’ll get you closer to your goals.’ Or ‘I am starting where I’m at and I am capable of learning more.’

🌲 Getting outside. 

-> This one is ALWAYS on my list. I drink my coffee outside, I eat outside, I take work breaks outside, I say goodnight to the moon every night, I run outside. It helps, trust me. 

🏕 Camp once a month. 

-> My schedule usually only allows me to get away once or twice a month. Even one night in the woods helps, though! 

🏃🏻‍♀️ Sweat. 

-> Exercise every single day, even when you don’t feel like it. It’s basically free antidepressants. Even a walk will do. 

😌 Meditate. 

-> Yoga or meditation or even just deep breathing does a world of difference for the anxiety and body aches depression brings me. 

👩🏻‍🌾 Eat well. 

-> The last thing I want to do when I’m depressed is eat healthy. I want to eat sugarrrrr. But I feel a huge difference when I eat vegan and lay off the sweets. Meal prepping helps immensely. Keep it simple!

😇 Give yourself GRACE.

-> Trust me, I won’t execute SAD season perfectly. I’ll struggle. But I want to give myself a break and some credit. I’ll be planning my days to sleep two extra hours cuz I feel like I need it, I’ll eat that cinnamon bun sometimes, I’ll go for a walk instead of a run. But I’ll TRY.