3 Proven Daily Practices to Help Cope with Depression
- Hope Bolinger Author
- Updated Jul 16, 2020
No doubt, the events of this year have left us frazzled. And whether we’re dealing with clinical, seasonal, or temporary depression, we may not know how to evade the overwhelming feelings of hopelessness or apathy.
As someone who has personally struggled with depression for nearly 10 years, I know how hard it can be to emerge from the gloom that accompanies this. Nevertheless, along with encouraging Bible verses, and examples we’ll include in this article, we’ll take a look at three daily practices that can help you cope with depression—whether temporary or clinical.
I should add the caveat that these should not replace meeting with a Christian counselor.
Many Christians can often get skittish about the idea of meeting with a counselor or seeking medical attention to help with depression, especially clinical depression. Know that depression is a real disease. It is not something that's, “Just in your head,” nor something you can often, “Pray away.”
Often believers who have not suffered from depression can, in a misguided attempt to help a fellow brother or sister, may utter similar sentiments.
Know that seeking medical attention and a counselor is completely healthy and recommended, and does not make you have any less faith than a brother or sister who does not suffer from depression or who does not see a Christian counselor.
With that caveat out of the way, let’s dive into three of the many practices that can help us cope with depression on a daily basis.
1. Regularly Exercise and Take Care of Your Body
Trust me, as someone who suffers from depression, I know it may seem as though I am asking you to do the impossible. Depending on the severity, getting out of bed may feel like an accomplishment for that day.
Know that exercising and taking care of yourself doesn’t look the same for everyone. Someone’s jogging three miles may look like someone else’s walking up and down the stairs in their house.
Exercise releases endorphins and helps to ease one’s mind off of the stress that can trigger the symptoms of depression. As recommended in the Mayo Clinic article, try to exercise for at least thirty minutes 3-5 days a week.
Even if we can’t muster enough energy to exercise for long, we can take care of our bodies through eating healthy foods. Try to find a way to incorporate a fruit or vegetable in every meal, and drink lots of water.
Whenever possible, try to trim sugar from your diet.
2. Stay Connected with Friends and Loved Ones
Depression has a funny way of making you want to do the opposite of all of these coping mechanisms. It makes you want to bury yourself under blankets and not reach out to loved ones.
Or worse, it makes you believe that loved ones don’t want to hear from you and that you’ll be too much of a burden on them if you reach out.
Friends, the enemy likes to use our depression to keep us isolated from those who can cheer us up or help alleviate the symptoms. After all, Satan is the father of lies. If he can keep us in our own heads, filled with toxic thoughts about ourselves and our value, he can distract us from carrying out our mission to spread the Gospel (John 8:44).
Despite how you feel, try to reach out to at least one friend or family member. If you cannot meet in person, especially with a global pandemic surrounding us, attempt to get on a Facetime or phone call with them.
Surround yourself with an encouraging network. Be transparent with them about how you feel, and remind them when you could use prayer or rallying. After all, God's word says two are better than one (Ecclesiastes 4). He wants you to reach out.
3. Create an Emergency List or Coping Kit
Back in college, my RA brought something known as a “grounding” kit to our floor. Whenever we felt particularly stressed or overwhelmed, we’d immerse ourselves in items from the kit: Bible verses, coloring books, etc.
In the same way, when you feel able-minded, create an emergency list or kit of things that cheer you up. Maybe this looks like your favorite foods, a funny TV show or movie, an uplifting song you’ve heard on a Christian radio station, etc.
If you find yourself in the throes of depression, reach out to friends who know you well and ask them what they’ve found to cheer you up.
Once you have that list or kit at the ready, give yourself time. It may take an hour or two to muster enough energy to turn on the funny movie or draw in a coloring book. No matter what the case, allow yourself grace and time. It’s okay if you don’t bounce back right away or if it takes a while for symptoms to subside.
3. Encouraging Bible Verses for Depression
I would recommend the entire book of Psalms here, but I don’t have the space. But definitely do look at the example of David. During the Old Testament, they didn’t have a word for clinical depression, but I’m willing to bet the man after God’s own heart understood the impact of depression.
Prayer and the Bible verses don’t always make the symptoms go away. After all, even Paul dealt with a thorn in his flesh after he prayed multiple times for the Lord to remove it.
But turning to Scripture can remind us of God’s goodness and that, in the end, depression (and all other sicknesses and ailments) will disappear forever.
Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the darkest valley,I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Psalm 40:2 “He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.”
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Find more encouraging Bible verses here.
No matter whether you deal with temporary or life-long depression, know that God’s grace is sufficient for you. And he can often work through our weaknesses to uplift others. Trust him, and know how much he loves you.
Recommended for You:
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3 Famous Christians Who Overcame Depression with God
7 Encouraging Psalms to Help Battle Depression
Is it True You 'Can't Heal What You Won't Feel?'
5 Things You Need to Know about Your Spouse Who Struggles with Depression
Can You Really Pray Anxiety Away?
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/stockfour
Hope Bolinger is an acquisitions editor at End Game Press, book editor for hire, and the author of almost 30 books. More than 1500 of her works have been featured in various publications. Check out her books at hopebolinger.com for clean books in most genres, great for adults and kids. Check out her editing profile at Reedsy.com to find out about hiring her for your next book project.
