One thing I always try to get my patients to do is to schedule a pleasant activity into everyday. Something that gives a sense of enjoyment or achievement.
Sounds easy, right?
Not so when you're battling a depression, probably lacking motivation and finding it hard to find enjoyment in anything. Not wanting to do anything can add to a sense of hopelessness, which, in turn exacerbates the depression, resulting in less motivation to do anything and so on and so on.
It's extremely important to try and break that depressive cycle and, when people do, they often find they can get some degree of pleasure.
It's not a bad strategy for all of us really. How many of us are snowed under by family, work and social commitments to the point that we neglect to 'self-care' ourselves?
I know I'm guilty. So, I'm going to make a concerted effort to set aside half an hour each day to do something because I really want to, not because I have to. To select something for pure, personal pleasure. Today, I think I might tuck myself away in the depths of the garden, with a good book and no phone.
What about you?
