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Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, CDCES, MBA
by Vivian Nunez
Tough days can be unexpected, but that doesn’t mean you have to be unprepared.
It’s natural to expect that the beginning of any new season or year will kick off without a hitch. We wish for a clean slate and “only up from here” energy. But the truth is, like any other moment in life, even the new year is made up of a mix of easy and hard days.
Our mental health doesn’t adhere to the calendar; it can’t distinguish between April 27th and January 1st. It needs care and attention, no matter the date. Some days may even call for a lot more time and energy than you’re used to pouring into your self-care bucket.
If today is one of those difficult moments, you’re not alone and you’re not without tools as you search for ways to self care for depression. Reading this article is a great first step toward finding some support on how to deal with feeling overwhelmed. If you need even more guidance, our Calm Health Module is another resource to add to your mental health toolkit.
As you explore the best ways to manage your depression, here are some gentle reminders to hold onto.
You and your circumstances are different every single day. Turn to self-compassion as a guard against self-judgement. Your best is unique every day and you are allowed to let that be enough.
You are free to decide that today all you need to do is get out of bed, brush your teeth, and walk your dog. When your energy is low, allow yourself to view these actions as significant accomplishments.
If you’re struggling with being overwhelmed or feeling that your resolutions are impossible toreach, gently remind yourself that each baby step you take is an accomplishment in itself.
In the middle of a hard mental health day, try your best not to hold back the gestures and habits that can make you feel cared for. You know yourself best. Even if your day isn’t going as you imagined it would, you can still prioritize yourself.
What works for you on difficult days may change over time. Give yourself space to switch things up and experiment with healthy habits that may make a difference in navigating this slump.
It’s easy to fall down the rabbit hole of “Why is this happening today?” or “What did I do wrong?” Try your best to set those questions and judgments aside. You can self-reflect when your body and mind are better equipped. For now, just try to offer yourself some comfort and self care for depression.
Managing your mental health can be exhausting, especially on days like today. You’re doing great at trying to tend to your needs as best you can. If you’re realizing you need extra support, pick up the phone and turn to someone in your immediate support network (a friend or a therapist are good places to start). Navigating Depression with Practical Tools Calm Health's clinical program offers additional resources to help you navigate days like today.
Calm Health is not intended to diagnose or treat depression, anxiety, or any other mental or physical health condition. The use of Calm Health is not a substitute for care by a physician or other health care provider. Any questions that you may have regarding the diagnosis, care, or treatment of a health condition should be directed to your physician or health care provider. Calm Health is a mental wellness product.
We’ve made it easy to take the first step. Just download the Calm Health app, create your account, and answer a few simple questions to help us understand how you’re feeling. You’ll get instant recommendations for the Calm Health programs that will be the most helpful for you.
Our programs are created by licensed psychologists, and you can explore them at your own pace, in any order you like.
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