If you’ve ever experienced depression, you know how debilitating it can be and how much energy it takes to do anything. Your legs feel stuck in quicksand, and your body moves slowly. You lose interest in things you once enjoyed and want to isolate yourself from the world. Then there’s the change in eating habits and disturbed thinking patterns. So, to function and get moving can be beyond draining!

The thought of getting out of bed when depressed can seem daunting. So, when someone mentions that exercise can help you feel better, that’s probably the last thing you want to hear.

So, what steps can you take to improve your mental health?

1. Find your reason to keep going.

What gets us out of bed every day is hope, even when we don’t feel there is any left. And though it may be challenging to discover what that is, we must find a reason to keep going.

Some people find their pets give them hope, knowing they are accountable for them. For others, it may be their families, friends, or careers. Still, it must also include self-care by doing something nice for yourself.

For instance, you may like taking a walk or a lavender bath. Whatever gives you a reason.

2. Take it one step at a time.

Going from depression to mental wellness is not an overnight process. In other words, most people won’t go from depression to swimming twenty laps the following day. So, rather than diving all in and expecting to accomplish everything rapidly, take it one step at a time.

For example, a person might only be able to go from the bed to the couch. Upon mastering that, they might brush their hair, make something light to eat, and so on. The goal is to take on and accomplish one task at a time, helping you gain self-confidence.

3. Practice radical acceptance.

Radical acceptance is a skill used to keep pain from turning into suffering. The notion is that pain doesn’t come from our suffering but rather from our attachment to it. For instance, rather than attaching our feeling to depression, it’s about not allowing the pain to make us feel worse.

Radical acceptance is acknowledging your pain without judgment by accepting it for what it is. In other words, momentarily acknowledge your pain without judgment rather than blaming yourself or trying to escape the painful feelings. Then, allow yourself to move on.

Practicing radical acceptance isn’t easy work, but it will become more manageable through repetition. Plus, it truly beats self-criticism.

4. Get moving.

Once you have mastered the other tasks, moving your body is vital for your overall health. You can start with simple tasks, such as getting off your couch every hour and walking around inside your house. Or, you can do some light exercises during commercials while sitting on your couch.

Over time, you’ll hopefully be able to do more cardio activities such as biking, walking, swimming, or joining a gym. Ultimately, do something that you will enjoy and that keeps you motivated.

Remember that exercise releases stress hormones, thus decreasing anxiety and depression.

5. Seek support from others.

It seems men who suffer from depression are less apt to reach out due to shame, stigma, or feeling weak. Still, isolating oneself can lead to dangerous coping skills such as abusing substances, self-harm, or death by suicide.

It’s critical to understand that many men struggle with depression and shouldn’t have to suffer alone needlessly. Being around other men experiencing similar situations, who can empathize, can make all the difference.

One such place is Barty’s Adventures, where they hold special events and adventures to help men feel better about themselves by keeping active, thus improving mental health. Barty – We Are A Mental Health Initiative

They have special events and adventures to help men feel better about themselves by keeping active, thus improving mental health. Plus, if you join the community, as part of the event – whether one day or three days – you will have access to a professional in the room.

There is Help

No matter what you’re going through, you deserve to be supported.

Hopefully, these points could give some comfort, but sometimes just reading quotes isn’t enough. Online therapy can be a great option if you or a loved one is looking for more support.

Therapy through BetterHelp.com/Barty can be more affordable than traditional therapy and allows many options to communicate with your therapist from the comfort of your home. Most importantly, remember that it is okay not to be okay, and you are no less of a human for feeling your emotions and being vulnerable.

To receive 25% off your first month, head to BetterHelp.com/Barty

Feel free to drop by if you’d like to chat and just say, ‘Hey Barty,’ in strict confidence, and you can be anonymous if you wish. Or do not hesitate to leave a question in the comments section below at any time.

If you’ve ever experienced depression, you know how debilitating it can be anIf you’ve ever experienced depression, you know how debilitating it can be and how much energy it takes to do anything. Your legs feel stuck in quicksand, and your body moves slowly. You lose interest in things you once enjoyed and want to isolate yourself from the world. Then there’s the change in eating habits and disturbed thinking patterns. So, to function and get moving can be beyond draini