5 ways to feel less depressed

Sometimes one second doesn't seem long enough to get anything done. Other times, one second seems to linger like the stench of sour milk. Unpleasant and dreadful.

For the times when one second feels like a dark, heavy, looming veil, below is a compilation of what I do to feel just a little bit better, and I hope that they will help you too:

1. Clean

For a few years, the hollow and empty sensation that sometimes crept up on me often threw me into a frantic internal turmoil laced with piercing anxiety. After awhile, I noticed the sensation was exacerbated if my immediate surroundings were not clean and tidy. As if there were too much external stimulation and my mind could not process them in an appropriate manner I became overwhelmed and stressed. Noticing that, my first step now is usually to muster enough energy to tidy my space the next time the hollow sensation starts to creep in.

When I am in an anxious state of mind it is utterly crucial to set very small and achievable goals. This is because if I set big goals, like cleaning my entire house, then the task will seem daunting and exhausting. I would not know where to start. Very quickly this effort would transition to feelings of being stressed and overwhelmed. Consequently, I would give up and feel worse.

To mitigate the disappointment, I'd set small goals and celebrate the small victories as I accomplish them. For example, I would focus on tidying one small area first, like my bed, and work my way around my room.

2. Read a fiction book (or watch a movie, or play a video game)

When real life feels defeating I'd try to indulge in some form of escapism. This is why it is imperative that I emphasize fiction books here.

Non-fiction books are usually my go-to reading choices because they are informative and applicable to how we function in life, but when I am in a state of apathy the last thing I want is more information on how I can be more productive in my life. I usually want to take a breather and dream. Fiction books serve as a portal to a different world than the one I am living in. Sometimes a little escape is all we need to reset.

This escapism can manifest in many different ways for different people. For example, movies and video games also serve as portals to another world than the one that we are a part of. They all illustrate another story that we can temporarily engage in when ours take an unexpected erratic and unbearable turn.

The important thing to recognize here is that these stories/escape portals are not permanent and we need to remember to always return to our own lives after.

3. Write

Introspection, the process of looking deep into your thoughts and dissecting your values is an important part of understanding your identity and how you wish to express your identity. When you understand who you are, you become more confident and are not subject to those feelings of being lost and empty. Some effective introspection requires the transcription of our thoughts into writing. Many people, including myself, find solace in writing because it provides us with a means of expressing who we are. This may be especially true as technology becomes more advanced and texting/messaging become more integrated with daily functioning.

Writing stories, poetry, reflection, etc. all tap into the creative side of your mind and sometimes revealing parts of you that were obscured before. It is this sense of clarity that helps me feel better about my sense of self, and in turn, alleviates the hollowness that I feel.

4. Go outside

I once went to a seminar hosted by former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, the Rt Hon. Beverley McLachlin, where she revealed that when she encountered a problem that is difficult she would go for a stroll. She wouldn't sit in apprehension pull her hair out at a problem she couldn't solve. Instead, she went for a walk while keeping the problem at the back of her mind. By the time she came back, she usually had some idea on how to approach it. The type of problem-solving technique that she likely utilized is her creative problem-solving ability.

Creative problem-solving abilities, in contrast to analytical problem-solving abilities, tap into your expertise and uses your experience to assess the problem in a more holistic point of view. Whereas analytical thinking tends to breakdown your problem step by step, creative thinking tends to look at the bigger picture. Both are effective problem-solving techniques depending on the situation that you encounter.

An effective way to stimulate your creative problem-solving skills is to get some natural sunlight, take in some fresh air, and change your environment. I find that usually helps me view things from a different perspective.

Additionally, being in nature helps me feel a certain type of way as to be in awe of the natural beauty of life that surrounds me.

5. Talk to someone you care about

This last idea is fundamentally crucial. When my heart feels sunk and I don't think anything I do will be sufficient, I will seek out people I care about and have an impromptu conversation with them.

This reminds me that I have a purpose.

This method has the most profound effect on those dreaded one seconds that last too long for me. Because humans are social creatures I acknowledge that those that I care about and those who care about me are essentially the foundation of who I am. When I connect with these few people I am reminded of that this dreadful one second will soon pass and "normality" will soon resume.

"This too shall pass."

Frequently, I remind myself that this angst is only fleeting and temporary. I can get through it and I will get through it.

Once this dreaded one second passes, I'll never have it back.