It’s starting to change, but there has been a stigma around depression that makes people ashamed of having to deal with it. And many folks go to the point of hiding it as well…

But as attitudes toward dealing with depression change, folks can learn a lot from each other about different strategies and how to cope on a day-to-day basis.

People on AskReddit talked about how they deal with their depression.

1. Gaming.

“I turn on one of my favorite solo RPG or Adventure games, like FF or Zelda.

I don’t need to focus because I’ve played them a thousand times, yet when I’m paying attention to destroying monsters, I don’t have to think about other things either.”

2. The future.

“I think about my future.

About how some day I’ll grow up and move away and go to college and have a career.”

3. Music helps.

“Songs I listen to: 1. My favorite things 2. Singing In The Rain 3. Orchestra 4. Disney (Specifically, The Next Right Thing, and Show Yourself Instrumental) I also have taken the time to learn to write music.

Whether I’m writing music or listening to music, it gives something else to think about, because I’m focused on the bass line, the melody, and small little things I notice in the music.”

4. You do you.

“I write poetry and eat junk food that isn’t good for me and then I sleep and dream about everything and then I wake up in a bad moo.

But then my best friend brings me out of that bad mood then I’m happy until I get home from school.”

5. Hug it out.

“I hug people a lot. When there are no people, I hug pillow or teddy bear (I got it from my sister so I can be with her and my family even when I am alone).

I also watch a lot of comedy and cute animals to cheer myself up.
In long term, daily routine proves itself to be very important.

Going to bed and getting up early (or at least not too late), having regular meals, going for walks and doing some work help me to keep functioning in daily life.”

6. Good stuff.

“I struggle with depression, and some things I do to cope is cuddle with my kittens, listen to music, and sometimes I just like to blast it so I can’t hear the thoughts telling me I’m not good enough.

But, more often than not, I do cry, and let it out. I like to be alone, even if it’s bad for you, but I don’t like other people seeing me fall apart….”

7. Dancing machine.

“I like to dance where no one can see me. Turn up the music and just move any silly way I want to.

Sometimes I cry, sometimes I laugh but in the end I always feel better”

8. Building a fort.

“I just lost my dad.

I suddenly found myself building a fort in the woods. I didn’t even realize it was a coping mechanism, until I was standing in my 20×10 hideout equipped with solar power banks, heated sleeping bag, and art supplies.

And I remember being 10 years old and having done the same thing (with much less money) when my parents divorced. Oddly, building my fort made me feel way better than crying or drinking.”

9. Comedy relief.

“Comedy, especially stand ups. Lee Evans is my fave.

I like to share jokes with people as when it makes them laugh it also cheers me up to see other people happy.”

10. All kinds of things.

“I have huge problems with my level of endorphins so..

I avoid ibuprofen.
Don’t drink to much alcohol especially when I am in a bad mood.
Sports! Even when I think I can’t. (You can start in your bed raise your legs and try to hit the ceiling.)

I talk to people that I love about things that I love.
Sometimes I look in the mirror and make silly faces and fake smiles.
Avoid TV, Netflix and Co.

I read a book, a good one, nothing that tells you how to do something right!
No plans!
Feeding my pets.

Clean up my flat, then taking a long bath and put my best dress on and take a walk in my neighborhood.
Getting to bed and build up my own super hero world (super powers, accessories and villains) and try to sleep…”

11. Isolation.

“My favorite thing to do is to go to an isolated place, preferably outside. I will talk out loud to myself, the person who made me feel this way, God or really anyone else in my head and when I get it all out and feel completely emotionally drained, I sit back and appreciate what my senses can soak in.

Smell the fresh air. Look at the endless sky. Touch the grass, dirt, rocks, etc. Taste the fresh water in my bottle. Many people around the world don’t even get those little things, for one reason or another, and we tend to take it all for granted.

So, in my head, I’m substituting the good for the bad in my life and reminding myself that it’s better than nothing.”

12. Time to laugh.

“I listen to comedian podcasts like Conan O’Brian and Marc Maron. While not all Marc’s shows are funny, he has suffered a lot of tragedies this year and keeps going. And he shares how he feels completely and honestly.

We listeners feel like close friends with how he’s shared the pain of this year and I’m grateful to have someone along on my cruddy year.

I also watch live streams on the Explore.org site. They are a nonprofit that has 93 live streams around the world. The sun goes down over Africa about noon EST and they have a live cam in the wild.

The polar bear camera in Manitoba shows the northern lights at night. And brown bears are fishing for salmon this time of year in Alaska. There’s even a kitten rescue cam.

They’re all great for clearing my mind and slowing it down.”

13. Turn it up!

“Blasting music.

It’s not great for my ears but it helps get my mind off things.

I also sometimes spend my time boxing which is a good alternative to self-harm!”

14. Dogs help a lot.

“Petting my emotional support beagle, Athena.

It just makes me feel so peaceful and content with life.

I feel like I’m living, which is a good thing.”

15. Small steps.

“Severe depression sucks energy, so I progress in small steps. When I got severely depressed this year, my boss told me to take time off.

I didn’t want to be cut off from my lovely colleagues (we all work from home during the pandemic), so I insisted on building up to full-time work. I started with 1 hour that day, then added extra time each day.

It made me feel useful, which raised my spirits. I was working full-time after 2 weeks.”

16. A quiet place.

“My answer to I deal with my depression is I go outside, find a quiet place to just sit.

And then I just scream my head off. I know that sounds ridiculous, but it actually works!”

17. Communication is key.

“I make sure my partner knows that I am having a rough time so we won’t inadvertently get into an argument b/c I’m extra emotional.

My partner makes sure I have taken my medication and offers me more if it’s needed.”

18. I guess it works?

“I take a shower and blast my music when I get back to my room.

And then I eat and eat and then feel bad bc I think I’m fat.”

19. Humor works.

“Well a way I cope with my depression is kind of just laughing it off.

I like to make lots of jokes and just put a smile on peoples faces and it sometimes helps a lot.

Or I just listen to music and sometimes make my own.”

20. Getting fancy.

“I take a shower, wash my hair carefully using scented products. I get dressed and put make up. Even if I’m staying home because I feel too tired or anxious. Feeling clean, smelling good and seeing my face taken care of makes me feel more human.

If the day is going to be hard or I am scared because of something, I use red lipstick. Is like wearing a shield to protect my vulnerability. And snuggling with my cats, makes me feel unconditionally loved and reminds me that I am able to love.”

21. It will pass.

“I try to remember that it might take time but will pass, and there are people out there who are having a hard time to.

I also like to smile and say a simple hello to random people. You never know, that random act may change their lives in a moment.”

22. Curl up.

“Curling up on the couch with my cat and three dogs while trying to work on my crochet projects.

I love making ripple afghans because having to count each stitch up and down relaxes me.

It’s so soothing sometimes that I actually fall asleep while crocheting!”

23. Nice and simple.

“When i was depressed I talked to my friends  a lot and that helped.

I also watched lots of funny videos to make myself laugh.”

24. Reading is good.

“Books.

I find some good books and immerse myself in it. You just have to find the right theme that works for you. Mostly adventure-fantasy, historical fiction and comedy does it for me.

Oh and some really really good music in the background.”

25. Good tips.

“Usually giving a huge hug to my dog, going out to the beach or into the forest and trying to take in nature to forget about my troubles for a little bit.

Or lastly, cook a comforting meal with my wife and just talk it over with her.”

26. Keep that in mind.

“Never forget that there are people out there who care about you.”

27. Get creative.

“I sing. I get anxious a lot and have problems because of it. But when I sing I feel like all my problems are gone.

Also, I read! When I read I’m not me anymore, I’m the book character and that takes all my problems away.”

28. It eventually goes away.

“Weirdly enough, I don’t fight it, I let it sink in until it’s past its prime, then it’ll fade away. I think my depression is not that bad.

Often, I have these suicidal thoughts. Of course I don’t act on them, I have a loving family who would be devastated if I ever did so. But sometimes when it’s overbearing, I would go to online support groups and read others’ stories, or do a research about the best way to kill myself and take notes.

Then I go to bed and the next day I’m happy again. I don’t know how it works but it works.”

Now we’d like to hear from you.

In the comments, tell us how you deal with depression.

Thanks in advance!