Overwhelming Depression Makes Daily Tasks Difficult

I have been feeling overwhelming depression for the past couple of weeks. Living with a mental illness can make anyone exhausted, turning simple daily tasks into daunting and dreaded foes. My responsibilities loom before me like an abysmal darkness that I cannot escape. Practicing self-care feels impossible. Even thinking about housework or errands exhausts me. Welcome to the hard days of overwhelming depression.

I've been struggling with doing things I know I need to do, such as exercising, showering, getting dressed, and styling my hair. I personally feel better when I wear makeup; however, lately, there have been many days in which I simply haven't had the energy to apply it. The act of getting out of bed has been an accomplishment for me the past few weeks. On some days, that is enough.

With that being said, however, we all must admit that we need to find healthy ways to manage the overwhelming side of depression. Of course, we should seek medical care to help with depression, but there are also some things that we can do to make daily tasks seem less overwhelming for us.

Ideas to Minimize Overwhelming Depression and Complete Daily Tasks

As previously mentioned, sometimes even the act of showering can seem overwhelming to someone with depression. One thing I do is to choose a body wash with a scent that I really like. This way I can look forward to showering because I get to enjoy a pleasant aromatic experience. It's aromatherapy right in your very own bathroom! If I'm feeling extremely tired and overwhelmed, I'll take a bubble bath. I make it extra special by turning off the lights and using candles, and then I play relaxing music. It's a nice way to unwind and practice self-care at the same time (Baths vs. Showers and Why this Schizoaffective Prefers the Bath).

One thing that can be an overwhelming source of stress for me is preparing dinner for my family each night. I have found some ways to make this less stressful and less likely to exacerbate my depression. First of all, I create a weekly menu and post it on the refrigerator. I make the grocery list and shop for the week. This way, everyone knows what's for dinner, and I have all the ingredients on hand. Second, my older daughter helps plan the menu and often cooks dinner one or more nights a week. Finally, my teens help clean the kitchen almost every night. This is a good plan for a couple of reasons. Not only am I finding ways to feel less stressed and overwhelmed, but my teens are learning valuable life skills and empathy as well.

I've also found that on my hardest days with depression, when I'm feeling the most overwhelmed, that if I can manage to do one small task, then eventually more will follow. Often that initial step is the hardest. I suggest starting small and breaking your tasks into manageable chunks. If you do just one thing today, then that's great.

Build small rewards for yourself into your chores and self-care routines. Enlist the help of friends and family; have plans in place before you start feeling overwhelmed. Find ways to make your depression less overwhelming. It is difficult, but we can manage our depression and learn to be productive, even when we're feeling overwhelmed.