Depression isn’t something cured overnight and it’s not something that you should be trying to cope with all by yourself because your mind might get too dark for you to handle. But there are some things that you can do as a first aid kit, simply to ease the pain that’s been tearing you apart for too long. Of course, the ultimate thing you can do for yourself is seek help from a therapist who can help you see the reasons hiding behind your depression and also help you heal from that dark mind of yours. But when you’re home alone and coping with depression, do some of these things to make it a bit easier:

1. Cuddle with pets

It’s scientifically proven that pets help people to cope with depression. Just by cuddling with animals, you can actually decrease your depression and they can help you see how beautiful and cute the world is. Take your dog for a walk or sit down and cuddle with your cat for hours. You don’t have to hurry anywhere. This is your time with them; it’s to help you heal.

2. Write

Your mind can get too cluttered with negative thoughts and although it might be hard for you to put them to words, maybe you should try it, simply to make sure that you’ll get them out of your head. Your chest will feel lighter after you’ve let go of all those unsaid feelings. For that same reason, if you’re too afraid to talk, than write it all down. Don’t do it for someone to read, you’re not publishing a book (or maybe you are?), but do it for yourself, to clear your mind of all the unnecessary shit that’s been going through it.

3. Watch inspiring videos

We’re so happy to have this online community where we can find lots of inspirational content to lift our moods. So, go on Youtube and find your favorite content creator, laugh, cry, listen to what inspires them and try to find your own inspiration while watching. Don’t just dwell in despair and don’t drown yourself in pain. There are so many amazing things you can do that can help you to find your way back to happiness.

4. Daydream

Psychologists say that when we daydream, we create blueprints for our future, daydreaming is the best way to visualize your healing process. Lay down and imagine the beauty of the world that you’re surrounded with, daydream about the day you’ll finally be free from depression and make yourself happy with seeing the bright future that awaits you. Imagine it all knowing that you will achieve that level of joy!

5. Take a mental health day

When you wake up in the morning feeling like the whole world is against you or like you don’t even want to get out of bed, know that you can always take a day off and make it your ‘mental health day’. You should really make your mental health a priority and never forget that there is nothing more important than that. You can search for things that people do on these days, but my personal favorites are taking a long bath, reading, writing, watching movies and eating healthy foods. At the beginning, ice cream seemed like the perfect food for these days, but it’s only good for a moment—afterwards you really do regret it.

6. Take care of your body

When we get depressed, it also can be seen on our bodies. We forget that our body needs nurturing, it needs healthy foods and a lot of water. It needs sunlight! Take your body out for an energetic walk or a run. I know that it may seem too hard right now, but once you start, it’ll get easier. It’s extremely therapeutic!

7. Take a nap

I know that on some days you don’t even feel like getting out of bed, but it actually might be that you are in need of a good night’s sleep or simply a nap to recharge. So give yourself permission to shut down and go offline to sleep as much as you need to recharge your energy and when you wake up, the world will look different.