Six Ways to Be Productive When You’re Depressed

Depression makes everything feel harder. Seemingly simple tasks like getting out of bed, taking a shower, or making lunch can feel like huge challenges. Needless to say, trying to get work done feels impossible. I know, I started experiencing symptoms of depression when I was eleven. Managing to be productive is a struggle, but over the years, I’ve developed a lot of coping mechanisms to stay on top of my to-do list. Now I want to share six of the best ones with you.


1. Be Prepared

The boy scout mantra still works. Most people who struggle with depression have periods that are better than others. Try to get ahead on stuff (whether it’s school work, a project for your job, or housework) when you’re in one of those better places. The less things you have to do when you’re very depressed, the easier it will be to get it all done. It’s also helpful to foster good faith in your teachers/employers by completing tasks on-time, and participating actively when you can. If they know that you really are dedicated, they’ll be more likely to cut you slack when you’re struggling.

2. Ask for Help

I know this can be scary, but I promise that asking for help doesn’t make you weak and it can yield wonderful results. If you’re worried about stigma around mental illness (because I can’t pretend it doesn’t exist), you can be vague in your explanation of why you need help. “I’m going through a rough time right now,” might be sufficient, especially for an employer. I will say though, I opened up to a lot of professors about my depression, and all of them were incredibly understanding and willing to help me out, whether that meant excusing an absence or giving me an extension. I have found though that contrary to popular belief, it’s actually easier to ask for permission than forgiveness. People are more understanding if you approach them about leniency before you need it. For instance, ask for an extension if you think you might need it days before a deadline, rather than the day of, or after it’s due.

Friends, classmates, and co-workers can also be helpful. Do you need notes from classes you’ve missed? A classmate might be able to help. Is your depression making it hard to get insight on a project? Ask a co-worker to look it over for you. You may also find working with someone else on a task can make it easier for you to keep going past the point you’d give up if you were alone.

3. Work in 20/10s

This is an idea introduced to me by Unf*** Your Habitat, and it’s really helped me to be more productive. The idea is to do work for twenty minutes, then take a ten minute break. Breaking up work this way can make it feel more manageable. It’s daunting to say, “I’ll work for two hours,” it’s a little easier to view it as six sets of twenty minutes, taken one at a time, with breaks in between. Setting a timer can help keep you accountable during the twenty minutes, and help you focus on the tangible endpoint when you get to rest. If you’re really having a hard time getting started, flip the equation and start with 10/20s, working for ten minutes and resting for twenty. You’ve just got to get started and chip away at your to-do list in increments.

4. Prioritize

Often when we’re depressed, we dwell on every single thing we have to do, mentally piling minute task onto minute task until we’ve built an insurmountable mountain of a to-do list. The reality is often less daunting than we make it out to be. Before you go to bed or when you wake up, write down the three things that are most important to accomplish that day. Then focus on those three things. Obviously, you may have more than three things that have to get done some days, but even then, you can prioritize. Think about which tasks could be put off later in the day, or would be less detrimental to skip or accomplish later. For example, a paper worth 30% of your grade probably should take priority over reading for a class (my freshmen year, a professor told me you won’t be able to read everything you’re assigned and it’s true, plus you can always catch up on reading later).

Prioritizing is also something you can ask for help with. A counselor, teacher, or loved one can be an excellent resource in helping you stay organized, and being honest about what matters most when you’re making your list of most important tasks to least.

5. Get Out of the House

If you can, I really recommend trying to get out of the house most days. It’s easier to be productive without distractions like bed (I can sleep endlessly when I’m depressed). Take with you only what you need− and if that includes a laptop, consider using an app like Self Control. Go somewhere where you can breathe and focus. It doesn’t have to be a library. It can be a coffee shop, a park, a friend’s home, anywhere where it’s a little easier for you to work. This can also help remind you there’s a world out there and you are capable of being a part of it. Sometimes the momentum of getting out of the house can give you the boost you need to get stuff done.

6. Above All Take Care of Yourself

Going to your therapy appointments, taking your medication, resting, that’s how you stay productive. By taking care of yourself. By making sure you’re getting all the help you need and using every tool available to stay afloat. Because if you’re drowning in your depression and rejecting every life vest available, you won’t be able to get anything done. More than that, you deserve to care for yourself. You deserve to try to cope with your depression and encourage yourself to keep going day after day. That is the unwritten number one priority that should be at the top of every list. You are worth more than a GPA or a degree or a job. School and work are important, but you’re more important. Value your self-care. Yes, it’ll help you be more productive, but it will also help you stay with us, and that matters more than anything.

source: thefemmeinist.com