[Isesy1]

What's one thing that you have tried that has helped you with Chronic Depression even a little?

[TJean]

Exercise expecially when I joined a running group. It took about a month to start looking forward to running with the group and the activity helped with the depression, a lot. Unfortunately I stopped after a couple of years and now struggle with getting my activity level up as well as my depression under control - but don't give up!!!

[LittleEarthquakes]

Just forcing myself to do things. It sucks, but in the end I feel a little bit better.

[moodyblue83]

For me it’s just trying to find just one thing that makes me feel good or even one thing that will make me laugh or smile. Or watch something on YouTube that I find interesting. The main thing for me also is music. I let music take me to another place. And it’s not the past. I ride the notes into the future , into the unknown , high above my depression.

[regretful]

I agree with the exercise comment above. I exercised for years, and depression was not really an issue. I did especially well in a group exercise setting; then the pandemic hit and the gyms closed...and depression crept back in. The gym has finally reopned here and I'm back...only a week into it, and I'm banking on that helping.

Yoga, medication, nature, being social.

[Mr Muckle]

I use medical marijuana for pain. It usually eases my depression as well.

[sarahsweets]

Originally Posted by Isesy1

What's one thing that you have tried that has helped you with Chronic Depression even a little?

Meds and therapy saved my life.

[hvert]

I also think exercise helps a lot, especially outdoors, but it can be so hard to keep up the habit.

[T4bbyCat]

Another vote for exercise, specifically very strenuous. The physical exertion should displace everything else, at least temporarily. The "afterglow" that follows with rest seems to last a bit.

There's also socializing, such as going to dinner with friends and all. I'm not very social, but the pain sort of forced me to reach out along those lines.

[imchet]

Making a log and tracking what I've done each day. Sometimes looking back over my log, I'll pick up on some of the things I'm consistent, even if it's something relatively small that positive feedback can really help beat back catastrophizing, and black and white thinking.

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Having a frame (schedules that fit my level of energy) around my life. Try to balance rest, healthy food, physical- and relaxation exercises, repeating my own written rules for what works for me now and then, having a back up plan to use when the depression becomes too deep, finding out how much social life that is good for me, trying to put in some good experiences, work or similar (something that gives meaning to life), my spiritual life.

The main tool is my schedules. Without schedules I would have been stuck in an everlasting deep depression.

[hvert]

What do you think about having goals as something that helps? Maybe the goal is doing the dishes, maybe it's getting a degree - but having something to work toward seems to help, like having hope for the future.

[MimiBhaduri0]

Originally Posted by GoGo2

Having a frame (schedules that fit my level of energy) around my life. Try to balance rest, healthy food, physical- and relaxation exercises, repeating my own written rules for what works for me now and then, having a back up plan to use when the depression becomes too deep, finding out how much social life that is good for me, trying to put in some good experiences, work or similar (something that gives meaning to life), my spiritual life.

The main tool is my schedules. Without schedules I would have been stuck in an everlasting deep depression.

Originally Posted by hvert

What do you think about having goals as something that helps? Maybe the goal is doing the dishes, maybe it's getting a degree - but having something to work toward seems to help, like having hope for the future.

It does help. Long term goals like maybe to learn a new language and short term goals like doing the dishes.
One has to push himself/herself a little to do the chore, it is hard, but once it is accomplished you'll feel better.
Also when it feels to hard to go on, to take one day at a time and try to make it through the day.
A daily task list(schedules) helps as well.