If you're struggling with depression, a bad day is filled with profoundly cynical, pessimistic, and distorted thoughts that you just can't shake. You feel emotionally wrung out, physically limp, and weary. Depression is an experience of depletion and you often feel that nothing is worth fighting for. That means that on extremely bad days soothing yourself can be excruciatingly difficult. These tips are a few ways to help you feel better;

1 Get out of bed even if it's just to move to the couch.

2 Eat two spoonfuls of something...anything.

3 Read this sentence once a day:" It won't always be like this". This is one of the most important items on the list. Depression lies, it tells you that you've always felt this way and you always will. But you haven't and you won't. You WILL get back to a place where you know you are more than your depression.

4 Move your body around-even just a little.

5 Break tasks up into small chunks.

6 Avoid spending long periods of time alone even though you feel the need to isolate.

7 Communicate with your loved ones about how you're feeling.

8 -Back away from stressful situations and cancel non-urgent commitments.

9 Allow yourself to cry if you need to. Write your thoughts in a journal. Practice self-care, compassion and forgiveness.

10 If possible, find positive distractions. Take a break from social media if it's affecting your mental state.

11 Just breathe (yea, really breathe). Get some sunlight. Immerse yourself into another world by reading a book (it's hard but try).

12 Watch something funny on TV or the internet. Make someone else's day a little better.

13 Write little positivity notes to yourself and leave them where you'll see them. Cut out substances that may be toxic to your depression.

14 Sing out loud until you're feeling better, it really doesn't matter how good or horrible you sound, sing.

15 Overindulge in self love and care-paint your nails, treat yourself to a quality skincare routine, take a warm bath etc.