When we’re deep in the well of sadness or depression, we often don’t feel like doing very much at all. We might find ourselves sitting on our sofas with nagging thoughts which flit from great pain to then great angst at all the things we need to do. The anxiety begins to pull at your guts and then you freeze and flop back against the cushions. These feelings can sometimes turn us into concrete. Bit by bit – first an arm, next a leg – until we’re staring at nothing. Soon our bodies are a lethargic mass of weight and it’s hard simply to stand up.

At times like this, and especially if some of the many things you have on your mind can’t be resolved, this state of emotion can leave us unproductive for hours, days or years.
But, we were not born like this. We’ve always had to face challenges, like learning to walk, for example. We even begin learning coping strategies from a young age – so could you revisit a time in your childhood when you learnt how to grow stronger? Could you use that same resource now?

One of mine was centred on a school play. I love to sing – even though I can’t. I’d only got a small part playing one of Alibaba’s men – I was part of the choir and I couldn’t wait to dress up. But the night before, a terrible argument had ensued between my mother and her boyfriend. My brother, sister and I cowered silently under the blankets. But then I started to sing. Quietly I began practicing the songs from the school play and soon they joined in. The lift that gave us was extremely helpful and it even bought about giggles and smiles.

When I recall such memories, I can feel my cheeks lift, a smile break on my lips. I still sing the same song today to help me get up from the sofa! Perhaps you can use a similar comforting memory to help you through your day to day tasks – you may surprise yourself with how well it can work.