Tuesday, October 4, 2016

How to Deal With Depression As A Bookworm (Do's and Dont's)

Hey, everyone!

I know I haven't been on in a long time, but if you read the title of this post, you know why. I'm back now, though, with some advice that I've gained over the past few months from other people and myself.

So without further ado, here's what to do and not do when when you have depression as a bookworm.

DONT'S

  • Don't tell yourself to get over it. Despite what the stigma in today's age might tell you, depression is not something you can just 'get over'. It's a serious mental illness that can debilitate you and needs to be handled as such. Trying to force through it can be detrimental to yourself.
  • Don't do things you normally wouldn't to try and buck up. By this I mean, don't force yourself to be outgoing and spontaneous when all you want to do is cry. Sometimes, a break in bed is something you need, and going against that could push you further in your rut.
  • Don't force yourself to read anyway. Reading while your depressed is not fair to you, your time, or the book itself. It won't be fun, and you might even feel because you're guilty for not being able to enjoy the book. I know this is the last bullet point, but in my specific case, it was the most important.
DO'S
  • Do take a break. Sometimes, reading isn't possible when you feel like this, and that's okay. There's no rush. Renew those library books, or put the newest purchase back on the shelf. Try to let go of the pressure. Easier said than done, I know. But if you can manage it, put the book down.
  • Do nothing. Sometimes the best thing to do with depression is simply nothing. Doing nothing can give your brain a chance to relax.
  • Do take your time. There's no time limit to how long you should be depressed. Take as long as you need to function once again. And if you get to that point and you still don't feel like reading, that's perfectly fine, too. Just keep taking it one minute at a time.