Depression Hurts

One of the hardest things about getting yourself out of a cycle of depression is that when you are in the low point of the cycle you often don’t “feel” like doing anything to help yourself. However, a basic principle of psychology states that action preceeds motivation. That is to say, you have to do something BEFORE you feel like doing it.

First, make a list of activities you enjoy and/or simple, concrete tasks you need to accomplish. Then, make yourself active doing something from the list. The sense of enjoyment and accomplishment you will feel AFTER you’ve begun the activity may just help pull you out of the cycle of depression.