INSIDE: With these simple self care for depression practices, you can give your mind, body, and spirit what it needs. By uplifting yourself in these ways, you can start to feel the sun coming into your life again.

 

Making the time and space to be present and treat ourselves with respect does wonders for our soul.

But while it remains important, it can be extremely hard for those who are depressed to gather the energy and motivation to practice any kind of self care for depression.

Hopefully this article will give you some inspiration to give yourself some extra self care.

7 Self Care for Depression Tips

Here are 7 simple and uplifting practices for your mind, body and spirit...

Meditate With Crystals

Depression is often triggered by the stresses and anxieties of life, and one way we can change our reaction to these unpleasant emotions is through meditation. 

A study done by Harvard University found that meditation can actually change and effect certain regions of the brain that are specifically linked to depression. 

The goal with meditation is not to block out or ignore any worries or anxieties, but rather to take note of them without feeling the need to instantly react to them.

Meditation allows us to tackle our obstacles with an objective perspective that in turn leads to wiser and healthier decisions.

Using crystals while meditating can amplify your practice and take your self care for depression to the next level.

Here are 3 of the best crystals for depression. They'll help uplift your mood and enhance your meditation:

Bronzite

Bronzite is a very powerful stone for overcoming symptoms of depression. It provides stability and grounding, while empowering us to overcome any self-defeating thoughts and actions. It also works to reduce pain and fatigue.

Lepidolite

Known as the "stone of transition," Lepidolite is a powerful crystal for helping with stabilizing our moods and increasing our awareness of any patterns that need restructuring.

It contains lithium, which is used in many medications for anxiety and depression and is known to reduce symptoms.

Citrine

Citrine absorbs negative energy and turns it into positive energy. It is also known as the “good luck stone” and has the ability to uplift us when we are in a rut. 

Amethyst

Amethyst is commonly used to treat symptoms of anxiety, stress, and fear. The stone radiates a soothing energy that brings a sense of peace and calmness to its user and it can also help to overcome self-defeating habits like addiction.

Essential Oils

Essential oils can elevate your self care for depression practices by simply working in the background.

They can affect and influence your limbic system, the part of your brain that is in charge of emotions, motivation and behavior.

You can use essential oils by rubbing them on your hands, wrists, or neck, diffusing them, or by adding a few drops to your bath water.

The following essential oils are great for relieving stress and anxiety and for uplifting your mood.

Lavender Oil

Not only does lavender oil relieve stress and promote relaxation, but it also boosts your immune system. Some ways you can use lavender oil is to sprinkle a couple drops on your pillow, add it to your bath, or diffuse it.

Rose Oil

Rose oil is known to help relieve feelings of depression and anxiety by promoting happiness and self-esteem. It also stimulates the libido and can enhance your creativity. You can use it by rubbing some on your wrist or neck (like perfume) or by adding it to a self care bath.

Jasmine Oil

Jasmine oil promotes a calming atmosphere and helps to relieve anxiety and stress. The uplifting scent creates feelings of happiness and can provide more energy and enthusiasm. You can use this oil by diffusing it or rubbing it behind your ears.

Lemon Oil

Lemon oil is a great oil to diffuse. It actually boosts both your dopamine and serotonin levels, which increases your overall state of happiness. It also helps clear your head of any worries and enhances your mood and your focus.

Eat Whole Foods

Nourishing our bodies with proper nutrients, vitamins, and minerals is a key to maintaining health and happiness. 

By opting for whole foods over processed foods, we can gain a variety of benefits for the mind, body and spirit. It lowers our risk of heart and health problems, boosts serotonin levels, and even reduces symptoms of depression.

Nutrients are best consumed as fresh whole foods. Whole foods include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.

Frozen and packaged foods have a much lower amount of nutrients, and they usually contain high levels of salt and added chemicals.

Instead of cereal in the morning, opt for a bowl of oats topped with a banana and walnuts, both of which contain dopamine, “the happy hormone.”

Move Your Body

Exercising is beneficial not just for your body, but your mind as well. When we exercise, our bodies release a chemical called endorphins, which trigger positive feelings. That's why we feel a sense of accomplishment or even euphoria after a good workout.

When we’re feeling depressed, it's a lot harder to find the courage to get up and get moving. But you don’t need to do a high intensity workout in order to release endorphins. Any kind of movement will do.

Low impact workouts like yoga and pilates are great options, but a simple walk in the park will do the trick as well.

Next time you’re in need of some self care for depression, opt for an activity you enjoy, otherwise you’ll find it too hard to gather the strength to do it.

Practice Positive Affirmations

Affirmations are positive statements that, when used, can help us overcome self-limiting thoughts and beliefs.

Practicing positive affirmations consistently uplifts our mood, boosts our self-confidence, and even helps us perform better at work or at play.

Speaking positive affirmations when we’re feeling down actually overpowers our negative thoughts and works to rewire the subconscious.

Here are 5 positive affirmations to practice as self care for depression:

1. I am enough.
2. I am capable of creating the reality I desire.
3. I am loved.
4. I am confident in my mind, body and spirit.
5. I am beautiful.

Stay Connected

Staying connected with friends, family, and loved ones sometimes is really hard for those dealing with depression, but social isolation is truly our worst enemy.

With everything going on in the world, we need a sense of connection now more than ever. While we may not be able to socialize as we normally have in the past, hopping on a video call instead of the usual text or phone call can directly affect our mood for the better.

If you find it hard connecting with others, try finding like-minded people you would enjoy connecting with on online forums, blogs, or social media.

Declutter

When we’re feeling depressed, staying on top of chores may be the last of our worries. But it’s important to know that a clean space can actually help to declutter our otherwise chaotic mind…

When we find ourselves giving up on routines and daily chores, maintaining or simply going to a clean, clutter-free area induces feelings of calmness and actually decreases the amount of worries we may be dealing with. 

That old saying, “out of sight, out of mind” can be applied here.

Final Thoughts About Self Care for Depression

Any little effort you make to provide yourself with much-needed self care will go a long way. So start small and choose a self care for depression practice that feels easiest to start. Maybe this article has even inspired you to elevate your own ideas!