It's hard to get off your couch. It can be hard on a day when it's nice and sunny, and even harder on a day like today. Don't let depression detour you from living your life! Here are additional tips for managing your symptoms, the last one being my favorite:

Keep (some sort of) a schedule. It's Friday, what's there to do? What about next Tuesday? What makes life happen for you? Plan for it, put it on your schedule, and DO it!
Connect with your social capital. Human contact is SUPER important to get us through tough times and to remind us there's a world outside of ourselves. Who's your community? Don't shut them out! Let them in...
Take your thoughts less seriously! There's an average of 60,000 thoughts that go through our minds each day, and yet, we put a lot of weight on some and not on others. Having a regular meditation practice is one way to help you notice your thoughts as nothing more than just thoughts.

Here are tips from an earlier post.

Need more and wish to come into the therapy room? Call me up!

Ada Pang

March 7, 2016

depression, support

5 Tips for Managing your Depression Outside of the Therapy Room

Ada Pang

March 7, 2016

depression, support

Everywhere you look you see the evidence of spring. The days are getting longer, there are intermittent sun breaks, and the flowers are budding. Somehow you think your depression should be lifted by now; yet you still feel crummy. When you're feeling low, chances are you'd want to watch 5 hours of Netflix, eat a gallon of ice cream and crawl into bed. It is very counter-intuitive to leave the house, go for a walk, soak up some sun, or call up a friend.

And, that's exactly what is going to help you get through that funk! If you wait until you feel better before doing something, it might never happen! And even if it does happen, it'll be sporadic and very mood-dependent.

Here are 5 tips for managing your depression outside of the therapy room:

Get some physical activity. I'm not talking exercise, because when I say exercise, people think of the gym. Go for a walk, do yoga, shoot some hoops. Any activity that gets your body moving is better than no activity at all.
Go do something you enjoy! Is it strolling the farmer's market, picking up your guitar, or watching a funny movie? Pleasurable activities disrupt the cycle of depression and rumination.
Choose healthy food options. Eat even when you don't have the appetite and slow down your eating if you have a tendency to overeat. Food is fuel, so what you eat and how much you eat matters.
Bathe in the sun. Sun exposure will help your brain release the hormone serotonin, which is a natural mood enhancer.
Have a regular waking and sleeping schedule. Get the optimal amount of sleep that's needed for your body. When you're tempted to nap, transition to a less sedentary activity.

Stay tune for more tips! Need more help than reading a blog? Give me a call!

Ada Pang

February 16, 2016

support, couple relationships

"I Heart You" Days

Ada Pang

February 16, 2016

support, couple relationships

Valentine's Day is so overrated. Pink and red everywhere, packed restaurants, overpriced menus and flowers... All these cues set expectations for how to behave, between lovers.

What about those not coupled? What about family relationships and friendships? What about a relationship with yourself?

While I can appreciate a reminder to love, I want to extend that to our everyday. Why not celebrate, “I heart you” day everyday?

Relationships are important to us, whatever form they may take. If you find it difficult to connect with those around you or to have a healthy relationship with yourself, let me know how I can help!