No one realizes how strong someone with depression has to be just to do daily stuff like shower, brush hair or get out of bed.

It’s a challenge to live with depression. Many people believe they will never feel anything, but sadness. The truth is you can live a satisfying and fulfilling life full of happiness despite having it. Take it from me, as many of you may know I’ve had it all my life. My main dilemma with depression is that it’s a vicious cycle. Once you think you’ve recovered you fall back. Therefore, it’s important to have a backup plan in case it has a full grip on you again. After years of battling with crippling depression, I have created a routine that I obligate myself to do before it’s to late.

When depression is holding on tight and won’t let go, I immediately go into fighting mode. My depression manifests as a lack of energy, insomnia or hypersomnia, isolation, feelings of worthlessness, suicidal thoughts, bad eating habits, irritability, poor concentration and memory, bad hygiene, and derealization. If I don’t act quick, all these symptoms make it difficult to get better. Through much therapy and self-evaluation. I learned how to pinpoint these symptoms in the early stages, but sometimes I don’t act on time. So, what’s my backup plan you may ask?

Well, I obligate myself to wakeup at 5:30 in the morning to drink a huge class of water, eat some fruits, change into my workout clothing and head out to the track for a walk and cardio workout. I emphasis on the obligating part because once depression creeps in, I do not want to get out of bed much less do anything. To get up I tell myself…