47 days here. Depression seems to be getting worse. Am exercising regularly, going to bed earlier etc. Anyone have similar and any advice?
On paper, sounds like you're doing everything right. Don't get discouraged. Something I've harped on w people on here and in my personal life is "get a win". And treat it like one! No matter what it is - a great workout, finishing a book, helping someone out, completing a task - get that win and oqr yourself on back! You are doing great!!!
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I found I could do all the self care in the world but it didn’t mean much unless I felt a sense of purpose and/or community. Connecting + being of service to others has helped quell the depression a bit. Stops me from isolating, which I tend to do when sh!t gets tough.
What does your recovery support currently look like? do you attend meetings of any sort? I went at it alone for 4.5 months and just recently started going to meetings in person. It has tremendously helped me in realizing, in a more palpable way besides here, that I have others to lean on locally. Even to just join me for a walk to trade the bs in our lives, in real time when I’m in it heavy.
Additionally, volunteering or any acts/gifts of service in all capacities. Being involved in a mutual aid group, community center, etc. Even the smallest donations of your time can be quite meaningful to others. I recently acquired a puppy which has lead me to meet a lot more of my neighbors while out on walks. I’ve learned of their trials + tribulations and I am able to use my own “gift” of caretaking/feeding others to ease their suffering, or at the very least give them one less thing to worry about, while also keeping my own mind distracted in the process.
I am sure you can examine some of you own “gifts” that can be useful to those around you and share them. My teen also struggles with their mental health, they are still finding their “gifts” in the larger sense but right now they find purpose in mowing the lawns of those in our neighborhood that are unable. Small, yes. But again it keeps them active out in the fresh air and providing one less thing for the resident to worry about physically or financially. This one act alone has brightened the day of giver and receiver. Over and over weekly.
If you like reading I have a few books you might enjoy on this subject I can gather and come back with a list.
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If you can swing it, therapy has helped me a lot.