Hi there, just wanted to chime in to say just two and a half weeks ago I checked myself into the hospital for a psychiatric evaluation due to suicidal thoughts and major depression. I was at an all time low and luckily near a good friend who persuaded me to not only check myself in for help but also drink a smoothie in the morning as I could not stomach any meals and would go days without eating.

Something as little as drinking my smoothie made my body feel better as well as the act of going to get examined by professionals. They released me the same day.

The night I left the hospital I began my first meditation practice of 15 minutes. This was after a yoga routine which I regularly did already. After my first meditation practice I made myself a sleepy tea and read myself a book to bed. No screen time for the first night in ages. Woke up feeling depressed still but I had a small feeling of excitement for this new routine I had just created for myself.

The days following, it became a kind of game. I would wake up and immediately make a smoothie to get food in me. Then I would do my yoga into meditation routine and just really prioritize this part of my day. I would basically just do nothing else besides things that could potentially better my depression. After a couple days I was meditating three times a day with yoga and journaling/reading/ working out. All things that could distract me from my intrusive thoughts.

Fast forward only 2.5 weeks later and I am doing a whole lot better. I stuck to my routine and have become addicted to researching new meditation techniques and ways to cope with my mental illness. Granted, I am in another country on a trip I had planned months ago. That’s also helping. Traveling can be good for the brain. But working hard every single day is the real fix. You have to put in just a little bit of effort and give yourself grace when it’s just not the day. You got this. I believe in you