5 Ways I Reset My Life after a Depressive Episode

Living with depression means depressive episodes come and go. When I was on the healing path (I still am), but when I was really in it, I would be triggered by so many things. Depressive episodes happened regularly. Sometimes they would last for weeks to up to month(s). I’m happy to say that now they last from a few days to maximum of a week.

I can make another post on depressive episodes, but what I want to talk about today is the 5 things I do to reset my life after my depressive episodes. This list is based on my own experience and is what works for me after having depressive episodes regularly. I found myself doing the same things to pick myself back up afterwards. And now I want to share them with you all.

The 5 ways I reset my life after a depressive episode

1. One to Two days of kindness
   When I am ready to come back to civilization, it starts with an ease in. Every time I jumped in with tough love, I failed. So the first step is to meet myself with kindness. Seriously, be kind to yourself.
   Your mind and your body just went through torture. It is emotionally draining. So for the next one to two days, be kind to yourself. Journal. Take a nice relaxing bath. Whatever you do, don’t hate yourself ok?
   
2. Clean Eating
   I’ll be the first to say it.. Uber eats is my ultimate friend during depression episodes. Since I live downtown it’s way too easy to hit that order button. And what do you know.. by the time I’m recovering from my episode, Uber Eats gifts me with five 40% off coupons. Say no and back away from uber eats because we are going to eat clean!
   
   This my friends is where I highly recommend grocery delivery. Grocery delivery has truly saved my sanity. For the price of roughly $7 CAD, I get my groceries delivered directly to my apartment door. It saves me time and for that reason the $7 CAD is worth it. (Before you come at me, I am a slowwwww grocery shopper so grocery delivery is worth it for me.
   
   The two grocery companies I use are: Superstore and Walmart.
   
   I like Superstore because I can get Optimum points. (if you’re not making the most out of optimum points, you’re missing out!)
   
   If I’m not earning points on anything, I’ll look at Walmart because they generally have affordable pricing overall.
   
   If you do not like either of those then you’re still in luck. Save-On-Foods and T&T are some other grocery companies that do delivery. Just check your area.
   
3. Get Outdoors for fresh air
   During my depressive episode it’s most likely I have not made it outside… let alone outside my bedroom. So the next thing up is to just get outside. Maybe it’s only for 5 minutes. Maybe it’s just across the street. Maybe you have to put on a full balaclava. That’s ok! Just get outside. Feel fresh air on you skin and in your lungs.
   
4. Shower/makeup
   I admit. This part is tough on it’s own, but if I can do steps 1-3, then the next step is to pull my physical self together. That means take a shower, curl my hair (only takes 10 mins and goes a long way in making me feel put together), and putting on a little makeup.
   
   Makeup used to stress me out! And I used to be a makeup artist. I realize the key is to KEEP IT SIMPLE. Do the bare minimum. For me that means foundation, eyebrows, curling my eyelashes (mascara is sometimes even too much), and a dab of lip tint.
   
   Keep it simple.
   
5. Clean my apartment. (Or tidy a smidge)
   This means whatever you can do. Don’t beat yourself up for not deep cleaning. If I only have a little bit of energy, I will:
   – Take out the trash
   – Put dishes in the dishwasher (they most likely have been sitting in the sink) and run it
   – arrange my couch pillows and clean off my coffee table.

It’s incredibly hard to get yourself out of a depressive episode. If that is all you can do that is still amazing.

Elizabeth Gilbert said something amazing when I saw her speak in Vancouver. It’s something I never forget and I tell people often- when you’re going through a tough time, treat yourself like a new rescued dog from the shelter. Shower yourself with love.

I’d love to hear how you all get out of a depressive slump. Feel free to leave a comment!