Lesson 11: Practical ways to get out of a rut

Whether you experience depression or not, we all have days that make us feel as though we're "in a rut" or just feeling down. The worst part of feeling that way is when you feel like you can't get out of it. With depression, this kind of feeling can be the only way of life that someone knows. For the longest time, being in a rut was something I considered safe because I had never really known anything different. In reality, the rut isn't a safe place at all because once you're stuck there, your thoughts and feelings just take off with you and it can be really scary to see where you end up.

Over the last year I've learned a few ways to help work my way out of a rut - it's not instantaneous by any means. It takes patience and perseverence you get yourself up and out of those thoughts and feelings. It doesn't just happen because you've tried one thing or another. I've put together a list of some of the things I've found to help me and what I've heard from other people help them:

• Journaling - even if you're not usually one to keep a journal, having something where you can just write down phrases that come to mind or feelings you have throughout your day can help you process what all is going on. If you are an avid journaler, go at it! I sometimes have a contest against myself to see how many pages I can write that are positive versus those that are negative.
• Reading - if you're a student, this one may sound daunting, but try reading something you enjoy. Even if you don't like reading, if you find the right book, blog, etc. you may just find a new favorite pastime.
• Logic problems - no joke - those obnoxious things Mr. I. used to make us do in math actually serve a purpose!! When you have to focus so much thought toward something so complicated, it is really challenging to keep your focus on your problems. You'll also have great satisfaction from figuring it out!
• Exercise - now, don't go over the top with this one, but taking half an hour every other day to do something active like zumba, yoga, pilates, weight lifting, running, wall climbing, ice skating, swimming, dancing, or whatever you like to do will release endorphins (good feeling hormones) and keep you in shape. Plus, a physical challenge distracts you from your mental challenges as well.
• Crafting - not to sound too girly, but sitting down and creating something with your hands can be really relaxing. Knitting, crocheting, paper crafting, writing letters, etc. are great ways to keep your hands and mind busy. I like to pop in my favorite movies to play in the background while I'm working because then my thoughts really have to work to keep up.
• Spend time alone with God - this is the most important one of them all. No doubt it is not usually the first thing any of us want to do when we're feeling low, but it is the only thing that will truly get us up out of our rut. I've noticed that when I force myself to read the Bible, pray, or have time in worship, my attitude toward what it can do for me slowly changes. Like anything else, it's not instantaneous, but with patience and God's help, it works.

Lastly, I've found that if you have one or two friends that you can call on for support, it helps a lot with processing the thoughts and feelings that are going through us. Keep in mind, though, my post about healthy boundaries.

Your friends are the second place you go after you've already taken it to God.