Throughout my life, I’ve battled depression, trying numerous treatments such as ECT, TMS, and a wide range of antidepressants, none of which provided significant or lasting relief.
Finding out what truly helps me has been an incremental journey of small steps. However, I am finally discovering methods that aid in managing my depression and provide some reprieve in the daily, often hourly, struggle.
Exercise
When dealing with depression, the last thing you may feel like doing is exercising. Yet, I am a living testament that working out—despite your initial mindset—can be incredibly beneficial. A good workout has the potential to rejuvenate both the body and spirit.
I engage in intense workouts daily, as long as my 72-year-old body is not recovering from some ailment. In my younger days, I would often work out twice a day: once in the morning and again in the afternoon, to boost my energy. Now, I commit to 50 minutes on the bike or elliptical, irrespective of how I feel. I must admit, I dread it. Deep down, I doubt it will help, which is a sign of how deeply entrenched I am in my depression.
Yet every morning, I tell myself, “Think of this as an experiment; just do it and see if you feel better afterward.” Once I start, the first 15 seconds feel like an eternity, and I often think, “How can I sustain this for 50 minutes?” I refocus my attention to just the current minute, disregarding any thoughts about the next. Minute by minute, I count down until I’ve reached the end, and with every passing minute, I eventually complete my workout.
It works. Every time, I feel an improvement. Completing the workout gives me a tangible sense of achievement and those endorphins certainly help too.
In my darkest days, even until I turned 60, the energy and mental boost might last only 15 minutes or a few hours, but I always thought that something is better than nothing. Now, after 12 years in this ongoing transformation, I find that my workouts energize me for the entire day. If I encounter an energy-draining situation, I can mentally revisit my morning workout, which provides me a satisfying sense of accomplishment and a surge of endorphins.
Travel
A change of scenery sometimes offers a fresh perspective on your life at home. It can alter how you view the people, your lifestyle, and your daily routine. Experiencing new places and meeting different people can provide insight into your relationships and, more importantly, help you learn more about yourself—what you truly need and desire.
After being compelled to leave my community college teaching position due to safety concerns, I recognized that I would miss the structured routine it offered. I needed a new focus to help prevent me from slipping back into despair.
What I seized upon was the chance to follow Bruce Springsteen’s tour in Australia. I was inspired by his energy, humanity, and enthusiasm, which had deeply resonated with me over the past year. His presence made me feel alive and hopeful, and by immersing myself in his ‘Springsteen magic,’ I hoped to keep myself from falling into the abyss again.
Traveling was daunting for me, and I dislike being alone. Just a year prior, I hadn’t even known who Springsteen was. I didn’t embark on this trip to undergo personal transformation; I was simply seeking a new structure: with his tour schedule, all I needed to do was reach each concert venue. Yet when I returned, I found I had changed immensely.
For the first time, I was filled with positive energy and had a story I was proud to share about resilience. The kindness I encountered from strangers in Australia profoundly affected me. Back home, people often mocked my pursuit of a rock star, failing to understand that I was fighting for my very existence. But in Australia, many called me brave. Young individuals expressed that they struggled to encourage their own parents to engage in activities they used to love.
Whenever someone offered positive words, no matter how skeptical I felt, I tried to see myself through their eyes. Bruce Springsteen and the people I met abroad helped me discover a newer, more uplifting perspective about my identity and my place in the world.
The Power of Music
Music possesses incredible power; it can alter your mindset, uplift your spirit, and free your heart. It has the unique ability to connect with your innermost feelings, allowing you to experience emotions that may have previously eluded you.
For me, witnessing Bruce Springsteen perform is magical. He grounds you in the moment, connecting you with him and the thousands of audience members surrounding you. In those moments, you find yourself dancing, clapping, and smiling, completely immersed in the present, unburdened by past or future worries. You experience aliveness and unity with The Boss and the crowd, feeling an overwhelming sense of fulfillment.
Long after those concerts, his music enables me to revisit those exhilarating feelings.
Writing
Writing about your experiences and feelings helps foster a connection with both yourself and others.
Upon returning from my trip, I realized I had a powerful story to share—a story about the journey toward feeling better, learning how to move forward, dream again, and embrace enjoyment. It’s about perseverance, hope, and openness. I wanted to engage in a dialogue about resilience and the belief that it’s never too late to make a change. By sharing our stories, we might light the way for one another, offering hope, inspiration, and even a bit of joy.
Perseverance
“All you have to do is try. If you try and fail, that’s alright. Because no one can do more than try.” I kept reminding myself of this, and I urge you to do the same. Repeat it to yourself. Acknowledge that you are doing your best—after all, that’s all that anyone can expect of themselves. By doing so, you maintain your self-respect. Keep pushing forward and allow yourself to celebrate your progress.
I firmly believe in taking baby steps. Any movement forward, no matter how small, is success. One day, one step at a time. Even on my worst days, I would still manage to drag myself onto that exercise bike. Although overcoming my fear of flying to Australia was challenging, I didn’t back down; I made it happen. As long as I gave it my best, I could take solace in knowing I had done all I could do. I embraced perseverance, hope, and the willingness to be present, regardless of my circumstances.
One night, Springsteen moved back and forth across the stage, asking, “How do you get through the day? How do you survive and remain alive inside?” Hearing him share this with an arena full of fans led me to reflect, “If Bruce Springsteen can articulate these struggles, then I can’t be the only one feeling this way. It’s alright to struggle; it’s okay to keep trying.” His words resonated deeply with me, reminding me that I wasn’t alone in my feelings and emphasizing how vital it is to continue striving forward. It filled me with hope.
Managing my lifelong battle with depression was always an aspiration of mine, and I’m finally learning how to do it. It’s the small steps that truly make a significant impact—along with a bit of inspiration from an aging rock star.
About the Author
Anne Abel is an author, storyteller, and influencer. Her debut memoir, Mattie, Milo, and Me (2024), was inspired by her victory at a Moth StorySLAM in New York City. She holds an MFA from the New School for Social Research, an MBA from the University of Chicago, and a BS in Chemical Engineering from Tufts University. Anne has contributed to various publications and was featured in Newsweek‘s article, “Boomer’s Story About How She Met Her Husband of 45 Years Captivates Internet.” Her latest book, inspired by her success at a Moth StorySLAM in Chicago, is High Hopes: A Memoir. She resides in New York City with her husband, Andy, and their cavapoo puppy, Wendell. Connect with her on anneabelauthor.com and follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok @annesimaabel.
