First, Physical Considerations.
What’s your exercise routine like? Exercise is the most underrated anti-depressant out there. Find a way to exercise every day.
What foods are you eating? Don’t feed your feelings, fuel your body. Your food choices have a huge impact on your mental state.
What are your sleep habits? You NEED good sleep. If you are having trouble sleeping, it’s very likely that you are not exercising regularly or your food habits are unhealthy.
Second, Finish a Project.
If you find yourself depressed, seek the fulfillment that comes from completing a project: clean out the garage, organize the drawer, fix the fence, or do something that you’ve been putting off so that when you get the task accomplished your body will produce endorphins because of the project finished. "The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul:" - Proverbs 13:19
Also, creating content is the act of a winner. So many of us are only consumers, but all of us need to balance creating content with consuming it. We are all consumers, but we all also have something to contribute to the world around us. Produce art, writings, poems, or create anything that will potentially bless others, and through which you will find personal fulfillment as you contribute to the lives of others.
Thirdly, Embrace Your Church Family.
In Romans 15:14 Paul explained that the church family at Rome were people “full of goodness, and filled with knowledge,” and therefore they were “able to admonish one another.” If you find yourself depressed, embrace your church family. Seek out the good and knowledgeable people in your church family who will offer you Bible-based counsel and wise advice. Let trusted church members pray with you, bear your burdens, and admonish you as needed.
To withdraw yourself from your church family will only make you more depressed.
In summary, three things to do when you’re depressed; make sure you’re physically balanced with food, sleep and diet. Finish a project and enjoy the fulfillment it brings. And, embrace your church family and let them strengthen and help you.
Being in a constant state of depression hinders you from accomplishing the plan God has for your life.
The above article was written by James C. Johnson. He is the Pastor of NorthStone Baptist Church in Pensacola. To offer him your feedback, comment below or email him at pastor@northstonebaptist.org.
Every Tuesday, SFL publishes relevant Bible-based content. Check back next Tuesday to read the next SFL article.
MORE SFL...
A Mother's Heart, Hurt, and Hope by Pastor James C. Johnson