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Three Tips For Getting Out of Bed When You Feel Depressed

July 8, 2018 Brandy Eaklor

Need some tips for getting out of bed when your depression wants to keep you in it? Check out these tips for getting out of bed at HealthyPlace.

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. 

APA Reference
Eaklor, B. (2018, July 8). Three Tips For Getting Out of Bed When You Feel Depressed, HealthyPlace. Retrieved on 2024, March 19 from https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/toughtimes/2018/7/three-tips-for-getting-out-of-bed-when-you-feel-depressed



Author: Brandy Eaklor

Find Brandy on InstagramTwitterFacebook, and her blog.

Tex Hooper
January, 5 2023 at 4:07 pm

I wasn't aware that stretching could help with mental health. I guess that is important considering you need to feel comfortable in your own body. I'll have to consider getting a counselor to help with my depression.

Julie Middleditch
October, 23 2019 at 11:20 am

One small step at a time. Start to exercise whilst still in bed. Stretch one leg longer than the other alternately: rotate your ankles: flop bent legs from side to side: stretch your arms above your head, whilst trying to reach for the end of the bed with your feet: breathe deeply to the count of 7 in and 11 out: now swing your legs over the edge of the bed and sit up: continue with the breathing: acknowledge your thoughts but don't engage with them: find three things you are thankful for, and say "thank you". now, congratulate yourself! quickly make your bed to discourage yourself from going back.

Pauline
July, 12 2018 at 7:39 pm

When it is so hard to get out of bed, how do you manage to take a shower?
Just looking at taps on the sink is so hard some days.
The thought of excersise or stretches is impossible and I confess that sometimes I get back into bed. It also does not get made until bedtime. I feel so guilty and lazy and also abnormal.
Reading the article was interesting.
I’m going to start trying these suggestions but not a shower first .
I.will have to stay with baby wipes for now.

Lizanne Corbit
July, 9 2018 at 5:16 pm

Excellent read. Suggestions to get out of the bedroom are so key. Sleeping in or oversleeping can be so easy to do when depressed, but it can have a really detrimental impact on our mental state. Taking steps to get up and out can be so beneficial.

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