Mental Health for Writers
I once read a tweet where someone asked a well known author whether you had to be depressed to be a writer. It may seem an odd question, but many well known writers have grappled with depression.
The answer of course is that depression does not help you to write - at its worst, it is debilitating, and robs you of creativity and any desire to write. Surveys have shown that writers do have a tendency towards depression, partly due to isolation, irregular income. However, I suspect that as writers tend to live in their minds creating stories, and think a lot, we can easily think ourselves into some very bad places. How we think is important.
As a writer who grapples with depression, I have learned a lot about managing it, and anyone who is struggling particularly with Lockdown fatigue, or feeling low, these tips can help. I have learned to be conscious of my moods, my thoughts, and if I start feeling low, then I make a point of doing more of these things.
Clinical depression is a different beast though, and you may well need medication to help you beat it. If this is you, see your GP.
1) Be grateful
Get into the habit of appreciating what you have, rather than thinking about what you don't have. Look around you, and find things to appreciate and be thankful for - the roof over your head, food in your cupboard, family, friends, pets etc. I do have favourite quotes up in various spots around the house to remind me of good things.
2) This too shall pass
I have this stuck up on my wall. When we see a negative situation as never ending, it is easy to start feeling low. Nothing lasts forever, even the current crisis.It may continue for a long time, and I suspect the world will never be the same again, but it will come to an end. The only way out is through, and you have to keep on going until you get there. I liked the saying from the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel that 'it will be alright in the end. And if it's not alright, it's not the end.'
3) Do something you love
When you're feeling low, or struggling with depression, things you used to love lose their appeal, and you actually don't feel like doing them. It takes effort to force yourself to do these things, but when you do, it does make you feel better.
4) Make contact
When you're feeling low, the tendency is to isolate yourself more, which in turn makes you feel worse. Right now, meeting up in person is not easy, but phone a friend, use WhatsApp or Zoom for a video call.
5) Exercise
Excercise is important for both physical and mental health. If you are able to take a short walk (staying 2m away from people who don't live with you), a bit of fresh air and sunshine will help you feel better.
If you can't go out, there are loads of options out there:
- Joe Wicks, the Body Coach, is offers workout sessions online that you can do on your own, or with your kids.If his workouts are too intense, you could try
- Yoga with Adrienne, offers a range of workouts and sessions to help body and mind. She does a 30 day yoga journey every January, and you could work your way through one of them.
- Zumba is another option, and there are plenty of workouts on Youtube.
- If there is something else you want to try, or learn, search for it on Youtube.
6) Be kind to yourself
Self talk, the way we talk to ourselves in our minds, can be very descructive if we don't teach that inner critic to be quiet. Be kind to yourself, celebrate your successes, learn from your failures, and accept that no one is perfect.
Additional resources:
If you would like further help, then try:
- Dr Henry Cloud, a psychologist who offers sound advice, and currently runs a daily radio talk show on Youtube, offering advice to callers.
- The worry Box is one of the best books I've read with practical tips for dealing with depression and anxiety.
'Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass: it's learning to dance in the rain.'
Image: ALBERTO H. FABREGAS from Pixabay