Needing some tips to be productive with depression?
How often has it happened that your counselor has told you that you have to “retrain your brain” or “combat the symptoms”. While this is all true counselors- including myself- do not always give details on what that means.
When a depressive episode is severe, it can limit one to their bed, cause worthlessness, hopelessness, lack of hygiene and many more symptoms that limit productivity. Yet again no one is telling you how to be productive when you are depressed.
Related Post: How to help someone with depression
Allow me to alleviate some stress by informing you of some things you can do to ensure you are productive even in the face of depression.
Tip #1 How To Be Productive With Depression: Be Proactive
Know what you need to do the next time you get depressed instead of reacting after the fact. Although you take your medication as you should, you show to therapy and see your doctor routinely, there is more. There will still be a time when you may have an episode and you need a relapse prevention plan for when or if it happens.
Have an active social support that knows your “red flags” and triggers to depression or low moods. There are many times my friends have noticed a change with me that I have not noticed myself. At times it can be small things to you such as not showering or cleaning your home that signal something is wrong to others.
There are many ways to plan your day so that you are not overwhelmed but still be productive with depression. I recommend a planner, dry erase calendar or dry erase board that keeps you on track throughout the day. Be sure to include self care activities such as exercising, reading, journaling and the like to ensure you are doing things each day specifically for your mental health.
Watch Jessica Gimeno’s video on How To Get stuff Done When You Are Depressed
Tip #2 How To Be Productive With Depression: First Things First
Set boundaries with yourself and prioritize to be most productive when depressed. Tell people “no” and limit access to yourself while you are in a vulnerable state. Although easier said than done, let your motivation be the success of the friendship or relationship.
The more you pour into others the less you have for yourself. Put yourself first by knowing which activities you absolutely need to do to remain productive while depressed. The best quote I have heard and used “If you can’t say no then your yes’s mean nothing”.
I know from day to day there are many task that need to be accomplished. However, you need to focus on what actually needs to be done in order to remain productive while depressed. Focus on assignments, hygiene and other task that are important and urgent.
If you have children these tips may help you! It can be difficult to put your mental health as a priority when you are also a parent, but it must be done. Cut yourself some slack and grant yourself some leniency. You will not be a bad mom if you have take out for dinner or watch television with your children instead of reading with them. You are giving yourself what you need, a break!
Tip #3 How To Be Productive With Depression: Do The Hard Stuff First
As you think of the task you must get done, tackle the hard activities first to ensure productivity. Of the task that need to be completed, identify which is the hardest, do that first! While depressed it can be difficult to tap into energy and motivation to get thing done.
Although not depressed, I too lack motivation, energy and do not want to get out of bed. This happens often when I am really anxious and feeling overwhelmed. If this happens to you these tips may help you out!
What I noticed helped my clients- and myself- is getting up knowing the activities that need to be done and knowing I do not have to accomplish it all. I give myself the grace I so easily give others. If someone comes into session and states that I was the only reason they have gotten out of be in weeks, I take it and affirm their ability to get out of bed. Yet, I would not give myself that same energy!
It is true that you need coping skills, therapy and medication. You also need a plan, boundaries, limited task and self care activities to manage your mental health and have stability in life.
What helps you when you need to be productive but are depressed?
Diane
August 25, 2019 at 2:48 pmI had a hard time saying no at work, and would often find myself stressed and anxiety-ridden because of it. I wasn’t very confident so I felt like I had to do everything I could to get noticed. Over the years I allowed myself to be confident in my position and it helped me make better decisions over what needed my attention at work.
justjess18
August 27, 2019 at 2:13 amI used to be the same way! It is so rewarding to have the adequate boundaries in place
Molly @ Transatlantic Notes
August 27, 2019 at 1:00 amI can hit bad lows and become very unmotivated and unproductive when I struggle with the anxiety I get so all of this resonates on some level.
Thanks for sharing!
justjess18
August 27, 2019 at 2:13 amThats awesome you were able to relate! Hope it helps
Julie
August 27, 2019 at 1:05 amFirst and second are great points, but I’d never guess #3! That’s an interesting approach. But I guess accomplishing the toughest task may provide the greatest confidence boost to a down day. Thanks for the post!
justjess18
August 27, 2019 at 2:12 amThank you! So glad you had a take away!
Beth Gray
August 27, 2019 at 3:46 pmThank you so much – I love the “we forget to explain what we meant” and assumed you would know what we were talking about. And that’s so true for many situations of advice – it’s really easy you just need to … without ever explaining what it is or how to do it!
janice sisemore
August 28, 2019 at 3:47 amI love the one Do the hsrd stuff fitst
Hailey Miranda
August 29, 2019 at 10:35 pmGreat post! These tips can really help people. As someone who has had depression being productive can be hard. But with your tips they can certainly succeed. Thanks for sharing.
Kimberlie
August 30, 2019 at 12:52 pmThis is such an important topic to address because so many people are depressed without realizing it. Those that do acknowledge their depression, see it as something that’s inescapable. It’s important to help empower people who experience depression.
Elizabeth Holly
August 30, 2019 at 5:06 pmThis is a great post. I don’t medicate for my depression but found this advice to be useful.
Setting boundaries are so hard for me. This I need to work on.
I find keeping a flexible schedule for my tasks and even alarms helps tremendously. When I have a depressive episode, I forget everything and then become anxious with how backed up I am. This helps me a lot.
justjess18
August 31, 2019 at 2:04 amThat’s good! You have interventions in place to ensure you get things done
Sarah
September 9, 2019 at 3:10 amMy energy has been horrible after I struggled with depression, so thanks for the tips!
justjess18
September 9, 2019 at 11:24 amHope they help!
Kayleigh Zara
September 10, 2019 at 12:13 amThis is a really great post with some really great tips that are so helpful, I struggle with depression so this was a great read x
Kayleigh Zara 🌟 http://www.kayleighzaraa.com
Sarah
September 10, 2019 at 1:46 amGreat tips!! I especially love the one about doing the hard stuff first. Not only will it make the rest of the stuff seem that much easier, it’ll also help you feel more productive, confident, and proud of yourself!
Jenn
September 10, 2019 at 8:59 pmIt’s really hard for me to stay productive when depressed. I think maybe I can do things to put me in a better mood though when it does happen. Like making sure my room is clean. Because when im depressed and laying in bed, even when I do think of something I could be doing I look around and it just all becomes overwhelming for me. Thank you for this article though!
justjess18
September 11, 2019 at 1:31 amThats important to know! That means you need to set more attainable goals for the day. Like brushing my teeth or bathing tonight.
Tamara | The Gutz Life
September 13, 2019 at 12:31 pmThanks sharing. I have been working on #1 a lot lately. Knowing a relapse can come at anytime I want to be prepared.
I actually do the opposite of #3 and focus on the simplest tasks first and celebrate the small wins. Some days it is just getting out of bed long enough to brush my teeth or shower.
Jennifer Van Haitsma
September 13, 2019 at 12:32 pmSetting boundaries is really important. Especially with people who might be holding you back!
Jessica Mathis
September 21, 2019 at 5:22 pmI do the opposite of “hard stuff first”. When I’m depressed or just low mood/energy, I find doing easy, simple stuff helps to prevent that snowball effect. Things like picking up trash and just putting dishes in the dishwasher. It sounds so simple and easy! But it helps me not devolve into pure chaos and madness. Thanks for continuing to shed light on mental illness and how to cope! And I wish for your continued success in the blogging world <3
Jennifer Rock
January 30, 2020 at 3:54 pmI’ve definitely been struggling with this lately. What works best for me is making a list and physically checking off each list (make sure you put “making a list” first on your list so you have accomplished something super quick). I build up momentum with each item. It also helps me to set a timer and say, “just be on your feet for 15 minutes” and often it turns into more.
justjess18
January 31, 2020 at 12:31 pmThat’s awesome that you have developed and implemented use of an excellent coping skills!