This article was originally published on Wed, 18 Aug 2021.

Feeling down? 10 ways to improve your mood right now! 

Feeling down? If isolation, anxiety, economic uncertainty, and the daily onslaught of bad news are taking a heavy toll on your mood, you’re not alone. The stress of social isolation, the worry about work, money, and health, and the profound feelings of loss that many of us are experiencing at the moment can trigger depression for the first time or exacerbate symptoms if you’ve already been diagnosed. When you’re suffering from depression, life can seem overwhelmingly bleak and hopeless. It can interfere with your ability to think straight, drain your energy, and make it difficult to get through the day. Even as some restrictions are being lifted, life is definitely not yet back to “normal”.  But no matter what circumstances you’re living under at the moment, there are strategies you can employ to counteract loneliness, ease negative thoughts, improve your mood, and cope with symptoms of depression. Please, if you are feeling suicidal…When depression makes you feel suicidal, your problems don’t seem temporary, they seem overwhelming and permanent. But with time, you will feel better, especially if you get help. There are many people who want to support you during this difficult time, so please reach out!

If you are experiencing a MENTAL HEALTH EMERGENCY or are in an immediate danger to self or others, CALL 9-1-1 and ASK for a CIT officer (Crisis Intervention Team) Mobile Crisis Response Team Santa Clara County Suicide Crisis Hotline: 1-855-278-4204, National Suicide Prevention Helpline: 1-800-273-8255, Crisis Text Line: Text RENEW to 741741

How the Pandemic has affected our mood: 

This is a distressing, uncertain time. Living in the age of coronavirus can have a profound effect on your mood. Isolation and loneliness fuels depression. Human beings are social creatures. Months of social distancing and sheltering at home can leave you feeling isolated and lonely, having to face your problems alone. Anxiety can lead to depression.

All the fear and uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 means it’s natural to worry. When your worries spiral out of control, though, they can cause panic and anxiety. Since anxiety and depression are believed to stem from the same biological vulnerability, one can often lead to the other. Stress levels are soaring. Experiencing a major change in your life, such the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, being diagnosed with a serious illness, or financial or relationship difficulties, can bring overwhelming levels of stress. As a result of this pandemic, you may be experiencing of these major stressors at once, making you more vulnerable to depression. We’re turning to unhealthy ways of coping. The boredom, loneliness and stress of being in lockdown, struggling financially, or having to juggle a job and home school your kids, can prompt unhealthy ways of coping. Maybe you’re drinking too much or overeating junk food in an attempt to self-medicate your mood. While these methods may provide a brief respite, in the long-run they’ll make your depression symptoms much worse. There’s no easy fix for recovering from depression, and finding the energy and motivation to take the first step can be tough. But you have more control over your mood than you may realize. It’s true that these are painful and worrying times, and few people have much to be cheerful about at the moment. But at the same time, depression can make things seem even worse than they really are. When you’re depressed, everything is filtered through a lens of negativity. By simply recognizing that, you can start to change your focus and take the first step to feeling more optimistic. To ease symptoms and shift focus, try choosing from some of the following healthy strategies to boost your mood and ease your depression. 

1. PRAY! Have a conversation with Jesus! 
2. Stop being so hard on yourself. 
3. Get up and move. 
4. Surround yourself with people you love. 
5. Find something to make you laugh. 
6. Eat something healthy 
7. Take some deep breaths. 
8. Spend time with animals. 
9. Do something spontaneous or “different” than your routine. 
10. Read something inspiring.

Still worried about your mental health and wellbeing? Contact Pastoral Care at 408-99-5110 for more resources and information about our growing Mental Health Ministry.