Three Tips For Getting Out of Bed When You Feel Depressed

If you struggle with depression, you may need some tips for getting out of bed. Have you ever felt so depressed that it's hard to even get out of bed in the morning? Although I have gotten so much better with managing my depression, I have days like this all too often. In fact, this is the way depression affects me the most. Read this article to learn some tips for getting out of bed and what I do during these tough times. 

Three Tips for Getting Out of Bed

1. Acknowledge Your Feelings

One of the tips for getting out of bed when you're depressed is to simply acknowledge the feeling of wishing to stay in bed. For so long, I would bash myself for feeling the way I did. I would call myself horrible names, especially lazy, and end up feeling worse about myself. My depression sometimes makes me feel guilty for just being who I am. The best way to stop this train of thought is to acknowledge your feelings. 

Think to yourself, "I struggle with depression, and that is okay."

It sounds so simple, but this little shift has helped me so much. It helps me feel validated for my feelings and being the way I am in general. 

2. Do Something Relaxing Outside the Bedroom

I know myself well enough now to know that I can't just jump into an activity if I'm feeling depressed. For me, having a transition period helps me to not feel so overwhelmed by the day. 

Here are some tips to get out of bed by transitioning to the day slowly:

• Take a bath or shower. 
• Meditate for a few minutes.
• Do some easy stretching exercises. 
• Make your bed.

These are just a few ideas, but there are a lot of little things you can do to transition. Give these little activities your full focus. Try your best not to think about the whole day ahead of you or your to-do list. Take it one step at a time. 

3. Focus on Something Positive

When I struggle with getting out of bed, it is usually because I am focusing on negative things. Sometimes I get overwhelmed thinking about the day, and sometimes it is just negative thoughts in general. This can be easier said than done, but think of something positive that will happen during the day. I do my best to break down the day and only focus on the things I am grateful for. Depression can make this hard to do, so it may feel awkward at first. This is normal. 

One thing I want you to remember is that you are not alone. Just because you struggle with this does not mean you are lazy or unvalued. Try these tips for getting out of bed, but if your depression worsens, reach out to a mental health professional to help you work through it.