Why Depression Can Make It Hard to Get Things Done

“There are a number of different reasons why it's hard for many people with depression to get things done,” says Rebecca Brendel, MD, an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School in Boston and a former president of the American Psychiatric Association. “So many of them have to do with both the mental and physical symptoms of depression itself.”

Find out what experts recommend to help you stay productive when you live with depression.

Along with a sad or low mood, depression is also often accompanied by symptoms like difficulty falling asleep, oversleeping, fatigue, or a lack of motivation, says Elspeth Cameron Ritchie, MD, a psychiatrist at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC.

“And [getting things done] can be even harder if someone had a hard time falling asleep or woke up in the middle of the night and is feeling tired as well as depressed,” says Dr. Ritchie.

“Although it can be hard to do things like meet deadlines and multitask if you have depression, the consequences can be very real,” says Stephen Peterson, MD, a staff psychiatrist at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC.

They can affect your health, your career, and more, Dr. Peterson says. “And not accomplishing goals and tasks can even . . . potentially seriously impact [your] relationships,” says Ritchie.

If your depression is getting in the way of being productive, it’s important that you have ways to cope, says Dr. Brendel. These five strategies can help you get things done.

1. Break Tasks Into Smaller Chunks

If the thought of having to make dinner throughout the week is overwhelming, try making a larger amount of food one night — it takes about the same amount of energy to make a large pot of chili as a small one, for example — and freezing the rest to heat up on other nights. Or if you like wearing makeup but don’t have enough energy for your usual routine, consider choosing only one item to wear that day, such as mascara or lipstick, and leaving the rest for other occasions when you feel more up to it, Ritchie suggests.

If you have a project at work that feels daunting, consider breaking the project down into smaller, more manageable tasks that you can complete on different days.

2. Ask Your Doctor About Adjusting Your Meds

If you take your antidepressant early in the day and find yourself sleepy throughout the day, Ritchie suggests talking to your doctor about whether you could try taking the drug closer to bedtime so that you’re more likely to feel awake during the day when you’re at work.

And if that doesn’t work, consider asking your doctor to adjust the dose of your antidepressant or switch you to another one that might not make you feel as tired, Ritchie says. “The doctor should be able to drill down on which medication is right for you, based on what activities you do during the day and when you need to be at your most energetic,” she says.

3. Ask Friends and Family for Help

Asking for and accepting help is so important for people with depression, says Peterson. “You not only get encouragement to accomplish your tasks and enjoy your life, but you can also get help with basic needs,” he says.

For example, says Peterson, maybe a friend or relative could help you purchase or keep stock of certain items you need around the house, like soap and toothpaste, for which you could later reimburse them. “Keep a list of things you need so that you can get them yourself or ask a friend or relative to add them to their shopping list,” says Ritchie.

Consider choosing a friend or relative you can reach out to when you need help finishing a task such as housecleaning, cooking, or errands, she suggests.

4. Get a Head Start Whenever Possible

If the thought of getting started is a challenge for you, consider getting a head start on something you know might be difficult. Do some of the necessary steps in advance so that you’re already ahead of the game when you need to get a task done.

“Think through your day the night before and get as many things ready as you can,” says Brendel. “Need clothes cleaned at the dry cleaner for the weekend? Put them in a bag by the door as soon as you think of it, so you can grab them on your next trip out.”

If you know you’ll need to cook for yourself or your family, consider ordering your groceries online for delivery at a certain time of day or purchasing precut vegetables, for instance, to get ahead and save yourself a few steps, suggests Ritchie.

Or before you head home from work for the weekend, consider making a schedule in advance of the following week so that getting started again each Monday feels less overwhelming for you.

5. Take Advantage of the Sun’s Energy

Taking a walk during the day, for instance, can help energize you, says Ritchie. “In addition, seeing nature has its own benefits for lifting spirits, and the exercise you’ll get from the walk releases endorphins, brain chemicals [that] make us feel better,” she adds.

Not feeling up for a walk? Sitting by a sunny window can still energize you and boost your mood, which in turn can help you stay productive, says Ritchie.

• Depression can significantly impact ability to handle daily tasks and responsibilities, making life feel challenging and overwhelming for many.
• Simple tips like breaking tasks into smaller steps and embracing natural sunlight can help you be more productive and manage depressive symptoms.
• Seeking help from friends, family, and healthcare providers is also crucial for maintaining your well-being.