Dealing with stress and depression: my personal story

Trauma, Stress, PTSD
1

It’s taken me a long time to come to terms with my struggles with stress and depression, and it’s taken even longer for to get the help that I need. It’s not an easy journey – in fact, at times, it has felt like there was no hope in sight. I always felt like I needed to keep it all together on the outside while crumbling on the inside.

My ‘breaking point’, so to speak, came when I started neglecting my health. I found myself sleeping less, eating unhealthy foods, and practically doing anything and everything to keep my mind off of my troubles. But obviously, this only made things worse. On top of that, constantly feeling like you’re not good enough leads down a dangerous path; leading to low self-esteem, negative thoughts about yourself, and any number of other problems that can arise from mental illness.

So now I’m working on taking care of myself both physically and mentally. Finding activities that make me happy helps significantly; going for a walk in nature rather than continually scrolling through social media has worked wonders for me in terms of de-stressing after my day is done. Additionally; talking about how I feel openly with trusted family and friends instead of keeping it bottled up has been key in managing my mental health as well as helping me stay accountable and remind myself that there are others who will be there for me if needed throughout this process.

I may still have days where it just feels too hard or insurmountable but I am thankful that now I know how to provide myself with the comfort I need and work towards being kinder to myself during these challenging times.

2 Likes
2

Hey there, I can really relate to what you’re going through. It’s hard to admit that we need help, and it’s even harder to actually seek it out. I found myself in a similar place where I was neglecting my health and just trying to distract myself from the tough stuff. It’s awesome that you’re now prioritizing your physical and mental well-being. I’ve also found solace in nature and just talking to someone about how I’m feeling. It’s not always easy, and there are still tough days, but knowing that I have these coping mechanisms in place is really comforting. It’s great to hear that you’re working towards being kinder to yourself too - that’s something I’m trying to focus on as well. Hang in there, and remember that it’s okay to not be okay sometimes. We’ve got this!

3

It’s really great to hear that you’re taking steps to prioritize your mental and physical health. It’s not easy to open up about struggling with stress and depression, but it’s such a crucial part of the healing process. I’ve been in a similar place, feeling like I needed to keep it all together on the outside while crumbling inside. It’s tough, but finding activities that make you happy and talking openly about your feelings can really make a difference. I’ve found that nature walks and confiding in trusted family and friends has helped me a lot too. It’s totally okay to have tough days, but knowing how to provide yourself with comfort and kindness during those times is a huge win. Keep taking those small steps and being kind to yourself, you’re doing great!