[jjgbirder]

I am here looking for some advice:

How do you keep yourself "on-task" when it come to self-care? By self-care I mean doing things that actually help / are healthy in the treatment of your depression / anxiety (e.g. exercise, meditation, volunteering, etc.)

Do you use a physical calendar, electronic calendar, other?

How do you maintain your resolve to continue, especially if you find yourself relapsing into old habits (e.g. sleeping in, being "antisocial", obsessing over X, etc.)?

Thanks much!

[Rohag]

I'm generally poor at keeping myself on-task.
I use an electronic calendar with reminders for appointments.
I rely on personal inertia to keep exercising and maintaining a bedtime "ritual" that helps me fall asleep.
I don't impose on myself the added burden of trying to be efficient when engaging in tasks.

[MommaD]

My daughter and I use an app called Booster Buddy on our phones. At first it seemed really childish and silly but the darn thing actually kept me on track for exercise, meds and other self care. Who knew? Might be worth a look

[Turtlesoup]

I use a big dry erase board which I keep in the bedroom so if I'm going through a tough time I can look up & see it from the bed.

[*Laurie*]

I maintain self-care because I'm well aware of the danger of severe mental health issues if I don't do self-care.

[DechanDawa]

I think maybe don't overwhelm yourself but at the same time challenge yourself.

I have stopped doing the big lists and trackers and poster boards on the wall because they overwhelmed me. However, I do still have a habit of putting up post-its. Mostly I try to build one positive activity into every day.

Like today, I could easily stay in bed on my laptop for half the day, but instead I am going to go to the library. Since my truck is at the mechanics I have to take a bus to the library and back, and also walk a certain distance.

But this is my Sunday task. I may walk around town a little and get myself something to eat. Just getting out of my house is the main thing I am challenging myself with today.

You really have to fight to keep severe depression from getting worse. I know where you are. You know what you need to do but find it hard to do. I think you have to work up the courage to just to do one thing for yourself and you might find it easier than you originally thought it would be. Good luck.