- Stop thinking.
- Take a blank sheet of paper.
- Write 1 simple task at the top, e.g. do the laundry.
- Do not write any more tasks.
- Put the paper somewhere in your face.
- Complete said task. Force yourself to do so.
- No interruptions, get it done.
- Cross off the task.
Congratulations, you've set a goal and achieved it. Trivial, but it's progress. You are now allowed to turn the brain back on and think. Momentum is good. Breathe deep! I noticed that at extreme low points I damn near stop. Perhaps this is why exercise is recommended so much, to help you move and breathe again.
Mentally I've found two things help:
- Knowing that there is a way forward out of this mess. May require outside help and support to convince you of this.
- Simplifying and focusing on one small thing at a time. There are very few things in life that really must be done right now, some will have to wait and until there is space there's no point stressing about them.
If you have understanding friends or family, TALK.