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Depression: Fighting to Stay Awake and Have Energy

Sleep can be a coping skill, too. Many times, resting clears my thoughts and helps my mind reset. Sometimes I take a nap to regain my energy to finish the day stronger. Other times sleeping helps me take my thoughts away from an emotional rollercoaster after a disagreement. However, too much sleep can be a sign of depression. 

    Whether the trigger was a separation from your partner, loss of employment, financial hardship, loss of a loved one, or relationship issues, sleeping too much can be a tale tell indicator of depression. Depression can be a normal response, but when it sets in and effects an individual’s ability to function, take care of responsibilities, personal wellbeing, and inability to connect with others, this state of mind demands professional help.

    Again, my energy drainer resurfaced. Still, I am coping with my depression. However, I’ve gained some relief by committing to the activities I’ll discuss in this blog article. Moreover, these tips may help you increase energy, improve mood, and enable you to gain some comfort and healing which goes along with professional support. Currently, I recycle the following tactics in conjunction with my anti-depressant medication to overcome oversleeping and lack of energy due to depression:

1. Realistic Journaling

2. Therapy

3. Vitamins

4. Walking

5. Regularly checking-in

    First, the “realistic journal” is a great confidence booster unlike the scary excessive things to do list, which can take both sides of the paper! The realistic journal reflects complete assignments for that day. Therefore, it’s a record of those tasks you’ve accomplished. I use the realistic journal for both work and personal self-care. For example, I might list medication, breakfast, walking, and meditation or prayer for self-care. and, for work, list how I followed through on returning documents via email, or submitted notes on clients, and made progress on projects. The realistic journal is a reminder of how you took care of yourself and responsibilities.  

    Therapy is a significant help for overcoming depression. Now whenever I identify my depression, I schedule more sessions to release negative thoughts and create better strategies to manage recovery. I encourage everybody to get a therapist whether you have a diagnosis or not because it is healthy to speak out about stressors and to develop methods to address them. Therapy is especially helpful to get through challenges with depression because you learn more coping skills.

    I used to simply take multivitamins, but now I see the advantages of many other vitamins. Therefore, I encourage you to consider taking vitamins to boost energy and mood.

    Walking and regularly checking-in are activities you can do with others. You may even consider making a walking group and have fun it by use of a pedometer to compete for the most steps. Walking is a great way to strengthen muscles, boost energy, lose weight, and to socialize. While a check-in with friends and family could help you look forward to the chat and encourage you to get moving.

    Lastly, professional treatment may be something to consider managing depression, because these techniques are coping skills, and not treatment. In fact, these coping skills demand ongoing commitment but remember they cannot replace treatment. Again, I personally use these methods to boost my energy, control sleeping habits, and help improve wellness. I encourage you to consider these tips to help with your depression that is realistic journaling, therapy, vitamins, walking, and regular check-ins.


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