[ao98]

The best advice I been given: “when your problems seem overwhelming, get busy solving other people’s problems. Not only will you feel good about helping others and get that feeling of productivity, seeing what others are dealing with will also give you perspective on your own problems and a renewed sense of hope and energy”. Volunteer somewhere. Help a friend out. But try to do it in person where you can get more of that human connection.

[subjectsigma]

> The best advice I been given: “when your problems seem overwhelming, get busy solving other people’s problems. …”

As someone in the midst of trying this I can tell you personally it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. I think I’m starting to realize that this person is beyond my capability to help and all the time I’ve wasted helping them could have been spent improving my own situation

[allen_berg]

> it’s not all it’s cracked up to be

> this person is beyond my capability to help

I think there's something to be said about the difference between "solving other people's problems" and "solving someone's problems". If the whole idea is to not be so invested into one life and get perspective, volunteering somewhere ought to be on a different league then trying to sort one specific person's life.

[mettamage]

> I think I’m starting to realize that this person is beyond my capability to help and all the time I’ve wasted helping them could have been spent improving my own situation

From my personal environment: there are many people that are beyond my capability to help.

[shrimp_emoji]

Yep!

It sucks, but libertarians were right. ;p

[Glench]

Came here to recommend doing good deeds for others. I find when I'm doing things for the benefit others I feel a lot better (as long as I'm resourced enough to do it). A therapist used to tell me that gratitude and doing good things for others were the most effective evidence-based behavioral interventions for depression.

That said, depression, fear, and lack of confidence are multi-faceted things with many different mitigating and exacerbating causes. Even diet and digestive ability can play a role! I find light exercise to mitigate the effects, too. But a sense of warm-heartedness toward yourself and others will be helpful no matter what.