Brushing your teeth is just one teeny-tiny little task.
It’s important for your health!
Having a clean mouth feels good!
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You actuallyenjoyhow you feel afterward!
And yet, you just cannot muster the energy to get out of bed and do it.
I don’t feel like it.
I’m too low energy," says Rochelle, a 22-year-old student at Drexel University in Philadelphia.
“That is the thing I struggle with the most.
While struggling with mental health issues, these daily chores of being human can be unmanageable.
It’s a symptom seen in a variety of mental illnesses and referred to asexecutive dysfunction.
What is executive dysfunction?
“Those with executive dysfunction experience a wide variety of cognitive and behavioral disorders and difficulties.”
Depression is just one of the mental health issues that can incorporate executive dysfunction as a symptom.
“The specific reason why this occurs will vary according to the specific mental illness.
It’s that your mental state makes you feel too fatigued to do so.
This is often because fatigue itself is a symptom of depression.
How do I cope when I’m too depressed to function?
One common tip is to keep a list of your daily tasks.
“Divide up daily tasks into small chunks that can be easily accomplished.
Each item on that list is crossed off and that cluster is done.”
“Pairing a task with something pleasant can help,” says Schiff.
“Say you’re gonna wanna do the dishes or somehouse cleaning.
This is something Rochelle has found useful even with smaller tasks, brushing her teeth included.
“I set a timer.
I put on a video so I don’t feel the time go by and it’s more enjoyable.
It’s a little easier to get it done,” she says.
“Sometimes, doing the smallest possible task is a step in the right direction,” says Nasamran.
“Maybe just washing your face instead of taking a full shower is progress.
Doing smaller versions of tasks can make what feels impossible more doable.”
Above all, though, forgiveness and patience with yourself is essential.
Dude, huge.'”
Rochelle has found strength in a similar attitude.
“The biggest thing is really just being patient with yourself,” she says.
