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Mental Health Support

In reply to the discussion: All I do is sleep. [View all]
 

Flying Squirrel

(3,041 posts)
12. Suggestion:
Wed May 29, 2013, 07:14 PM
May 2013

Last edited Wed May 29, 2013, 10:52 PM - Edit history (1)

Before you go to bed, write down ONE thing you'd like to accomplish the next day. Make sure it's something you can definitely get done. Don't say "clean the entire house" if your house is a disaster. Don't even say "wash all the dishes" if the thought of getting them all done is overwhelming to you - say "wash ten dishes." The point is to have an attainable goal, something you can actually accomplish, which will get you moving. It's easy to stay in bed if you're overwhelmed with the number of things that need to be done, so instead you do nothing.

Also, just because you're getting up doesn't necessarily mean you have to go out and face the world. Be ok with staying at home while out of bed. Focus on making your surroundings just a little bit better. Read a book. Listen to music. Find some way to enjoy what you have. If you equate getting up with having to face the world, and you don't want to face the world, you won't get up. Get up first, then after you've been up awhile you can decide whether or not you're feeling up to doing anything that involves 'facing the world.'

Just make sure you don't make a goal you can't accomplish - if the small goal you do set is finished, and accomplishing it has given you a bit of energy, go ahead and do something else that needs doing - but remember it's gravy and don't feel bad if you can't get it done to your satisfaction.

Also keep a bottle of water by your bed. Vitamins can't hurt.. melatonin helps reset your sleep cycle. If you drink coffee, it might not be a bad idea to put the coffeemaker by your bed and have it all set up to make some in the morning.

Since I quit drinking 4 years ago I am of course biased but I'd avoid alcohol if possible.

That's all I have for now but be really careful about coming off the depression meds - I weaned myself off over a couple months and was soon very suicidal.

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