Get It Done When You're Depressed by Julie A. Fast Page B

physical discomfort.

Treat the Depression, End the Discomfort
    Uncomfortable physical problems caused by depression can go away when the depression is being treated successfully. It’s also important that you move your body, take care of it, and focus on work instead of how you physically feel. If someone has ever said to you, “You sure are antsy,” “You seem to go to the doctor a lot,” or “Careful—you get into a lot of accidents,” listen to these statements and let them be a sign that maybe depression is causing physical problems that need your attention.
    Here are some other thoughts to consider:
    • Exercise in the morning.
    • Force yourself to stay in one place no matter how you feel.
    • Notice if you’re pacing and not getting anything done.
    • Stretch and do yoga at your desk. (Don’t worry, no one is watching!)
    • Avoid too much caffeine or being too hungry.
    • Be sure an antidepressant is not causing the physically uncomfortable feelings.
    • Watch your posture while you work.
    • Walk, run, or go to an exercise class during lunch.
    Remember: Uncomfortable physical problems and accidents are an unfortunate part of depression. The more aware you are of your body, the safer and more comfortable you can be.
    Ah, now I can get up and take a walk!

19
    Just Sit Down
    On some days, the act of sitting down in front of a project can be just what you need to keep going. You can say to yourself, I’m just going to sit. That’s the first step. I don’t have to do anything more. Then I will move my hands and type, or make a sales call.
    When you’re depressed, you can feel like a hand is physically holding you back from sitting down and starting something. It can feel like you’re fighting with an unseen force. It’s just sitting, you might say to yourself, but when your brain is misfiring and you’re having trouble making decisions, feel uncomfortable, and want to cry, sitting down is a big accomplishment.

Sitting—That’s Easy, Right?
    What’s the big deal about sitting down to get something done? Sitting is easy, right? But it’s often more than just sitting. Sitting down in front of a project—whether it be artistic, sales oriented, or working with a child’s homework—can be daunting. It’s often much easier to put off projects until they are so backed up they never get done. But no more! From now on, tell yourself you will commit to sitting and go from there. Sitting down when you need to often triggers a work response that helps you get things done.
    Are any of these signs you need to sit down familiar to you?
    • Pacing or wandering aimlessly.
    • Getting coffee you don’t need.
    • Talking with others.
    • Feeling so overwhelmed by an entire project that you don’t start at all.
    • Avoiding the location of the project like the plague.
Michael’s Story
    I have actually walked around my office for hours without sitting down for an extended period of time. There is my office chair; I can see it looming at me. In fact, my whole office is a scary space. I tell myself, Just sit down and get started, yet I still keep walking around, getting coffee, talking with colleagues, copying stuff I don’t need.
    But now I have a rule. When I get to work, the first thing I do is go into my office and sit in my chair for three hours. I have my coffee with me, and I tell people I can chat when my time is up. Once I’ve sat down, the work goes easier and I find it a lot easier to stay seated throughout the day.
My Story
    I lost years of work because I couldn’t do something as simple as sitting down in a chair in front of a project. I could sit in chairs in restaurants and on airplanes—those chairs that had nothing to do with work—but chairs that represented work were another story.
    After I thought about it, I realized that sitting down in a chair isn’t really the problem. The problem must be what the chair represents. I determined that I see the sitting as the first step in a