Finding the best jobs for depression can be challenging, but a productive life can boost your self- esteem. Research shows that in cases of mild to moderate depression, people who work feel better and suffer less depressive episodes than those who don’t work.
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Increased activity and social contact can help you by reducing isolation. Even more, working helps reduce feelings of helplessness or inadequacy, which often goes hand in hand with depression.
It goes without saying that the big boost is to your pocketbook, which helps you financially and enables you to do things that you enjoy, like going out to eat or shopping for your favorite things.
Depression is more than just feeling blue or down. For many people, it can be a serious mental health condition that requires treatment, compassion, understanding, and a plan to move forward as one is able. Depression can be a chronic illness for many people.
Depression affects people in all walks of life, regardless of their age, race, or socioeconomic background. Some people are more likely to suffer from depression, like women and young adults between the ages of 18 and 25. Recovery can be difficult, but there is always hope.
Though it can be hard, it is possible to work with depression. Research shows that a person who is able to participate in their daily activities is able to recover better during their depressive episodes. Work is part of one of the daily activities that aids functioning at a better capacity.
Best Jobs For People With Depress (By Category)
Here are some tips for better outcomes in the workplace:
Work is important, but only one facet of your life. Remember, self –care needs to remain your top priority. Take care of you and you will function at your best.
It’s important to remember that there will always be difficult people, difficult situations, and stress in the workplace, just as there is outside of work. When you feel overwhelmed, focus on the positive reasons of why you work. Maybe it’s financial gain, or perhaps it helps you to feel better and enhances your self-esteem?
Don’t let a setback define you. Everyone has a bad day. Just because one day may be a huge mountain to climb doesn’t mean all days will be. Be proud of any progress you make, and just start over after bad days.
Break assignments into smaller, more realistic goals or steps so you don’t feel overwhelmed.
Remember, people are people. People who aren’t depressed also have to work with people who have different personality profiles that may cause issues. Conflicts can’t be avoided. They don’t say anything about you and don’t have to set you back.
Before we look at careers that are best-suited for people with depression, let’s look at those that research shows are the worst for people who suffer from depression.
Jobs that are more stressful jobs, offer low wages, or don’t get much respect tend to enhance depression in those that suffer from it.
Research has shown that jobs as in healthcare, food service, teaching, administrative support, maintenance, social work, and caregiving(especially nursing homes) are the highest risk jobs for exacerbating depression.
There are a few jobs that are better for people who suffer from depression. Here’s what we’ve found:
GARDENING AND THE FLORAL INDUSTRY:
With landscaping or gardening, you get lots of time outdoors or around beautiful flowers, which naturally helps with depression. Being outside brings up the vitamin D levels in your body, which boosts endorphins in your body and lend a sense of peace and well-being.
If you like getting in touch with nature and don’t mind getting your hands dirty, this may be just the job for you. Your career might blossom in this industry.
10. Gardening/Landscaping jobs are likely to have less stress than the corporate settings. It’s a slow-paced, relaxing field that does require a bit of physical movement, so keep that in mind. As a gardener or landscaper, you have control of how much work you are willing to undertake.
If you like caring for plants and flowers, lawns, digging, weeding, and all things gardening, this may be the perfect job for you.
Gardeners can earn as little or as much as they want, but serious gardeners and landscapers earn an average of $37,000 a year.
9. Floristry is a cheerful job. You get to work with colorful, attractive flowers and greenery. It can be very calming and lifting to create bouquets and centerpieces. Working with flowers places one in a cheerful environment, and the bonus is creating masterpieces that will in turn put a smile on someone else’s face.
Florists earn from $18,000 to $38,000 a year.
8. Garden Center Merchandisers are kind of a cross between gardening and floristry. It’s another great job if you enjoy caring for plants or like to give gardening advice. There are many opportunities in a garden center, from customer service to more hands-on activities with plants and flowers.
You may be allowed to put your creative talents to use by designing merchandise displays or help customers design their dream garden.
Garden center employees average about $24,000 a year during the busy season.
JOBS WITH ANIMALS
Many people with depression find comfort in being around animals. They exude a sense of comfort and tranquility. They can also lift the spirits of those who feel down. For some people with depression, being around animals is different than being around people. They feel more mutual love and acceptance by furry creatures.
7. Veterinary Assistants care for the well-being of animals. This can be highly rewarding for those who are fond of animals. Most of the work of a veterinary assistant is with animals, though there can be counseling and instruction to owners about how to best care for their animals.
The median annual income of veterinary assistants is $32,000 a year.
6. Dog trainers have a hands-on approach in teaching pet owners how to teach their dogs to be more obedient and well-behaved. Therefore, dog trainers may work with both people and animals.
Dog trainers earn an average of $37,000 a year.
5. Dog sitters and walkers may find these options more suitable if they desire a more flexible schedule and less people interaction. A dog sitter or walker is a more laid back approach to working with animals.
One can accept as little or as much work as they desire, but approaching this career choice full-time yields a similar salary to others in this field, $35,000 or so a year.
THE ARTS
People who suffer from depression tend to have a more creative mind. Sometimes utilizing those talents unleashes those artistic tendencies. The creative energy involved with the arts can take your mind off of the things that tend to make you feel down.
4. Writers often do the jobs they’ve always dreamed of. Imagine listening to your favorite background music, while in your own home, and penning your words to paper. You can be a freelance writer or a serious author. The freelance writing jobs available are endless range from blog posts, news articles, and more.
Upwork is one of the many venues that freelance writers get to hone their craft and make good money in the process. Working from home does require a bit of discipline, but perhaps on off days when you have a hard time getting started, you could pack up the computer and head to your local coffee shop to write?
Writers can earn a wide range of salary, but $35,000 is about average. Serious writers can earn more.
3. Graphic designers may work in offices or from home as a freelancer. As a freelancer, you would have the ability to set your own hours and work during more productive moments when you aren’t feeling so blue.
Graphic design work may involve animation, logo designs, layouts, motion graphics and more.
The median annual salary for graphic designing is $54,000 a year.
MORE IDEAS
There are other great job choices for people who suffer from depression. You might work better on your own terms, more productive when symptoms aren’t as bad, and laying low when symptoms are at their worst.
Perhaps you have a passion, like jewelry or antiques? Maybe you’ve always wanted to own your business? The great thing is that in today’s world, the world of entrepreneurism is one that can be worked from a brick and mortar shop or in the virtual world of online enterprises.
2. Entrepreneurs have the freedom to work at something of their own choosing, while being their own boss. Working at something you love can be a boost for your depression. You can set your pace which sets your salary. The sky is the limit.
The only trouble with being an entrepreneur is that there’s no degree you can earn, or no set method to be successful. You have to carve out your own path. In some ways, depression can be a hindrance here because it can be difficult to motivate yourself on bad days, especially if you are responsible for creating your daily tasks. Self direction, or being responsible for employees/contractors can be a serious stress factor and may worsen you situation, especially if you are dealing with anxiety as well.
However, for some people, being in control can be a source of pride and can help you focus on something other than your state of mind. Do you feel better when you’re sitting in your pajamas watching 12 hours of trashy TV, or when you’re out and about doing something? Seeing a project come together and even learning new things every day can be a very positive experience.
I’ve found that online entrepreneurship is great entry point for newbies because starting an online business is so cheap. Rather than getting a loan from the bank or pitching your ideas to investors, you need just $14 for a domain name, and the rest is basically writing articles for your website. There are many ways to start an online business, but this method is what I do. If you do end up working from home, just make sure to plan to get out of the house every once in a while!
1. Volunteerism is a great venture if you suffer from depression. Many people who have depression are also disabled. For those, perhaps salary isn’t as important if you receive disability benefits. Maybe you can’t work a regular job, have enough money not to worry about it, but still want to be productive in the world?
There are many things you can do from volunteering in your local soup kitchen, to helping out in local churches, to helping seniors with chores they can no longer do.
In research between volunteerism and health, it was shown that volunteering is associated with lower depression and increased well-being.
Volunteerism offers no pay except for the sense of fulfillment it gives your soul, and the use of your talents to those who need you.
There are many things you can do, even with depression, to lend a sense of purpose to your life as well as give you the financial security you need.
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Nathaniell
What's up ladies and dudes! Great to finally meet you, and I hope you enjoyed this post. My name is Nathaniell and I'm the owner of One More Cup of Coffee. I started my first online business in 2010 promoting computer software and now I help newbies start their own businesses. Sign up for my #1 recommended training course and learn how to start your business for FREE!
Karen Eckhoff
Just so you know, just about everyone in the veterinary medical or animal welfare field suffers from some sort of depression or anxiety. It can lead to great friendships due to “finding your tribe” and great conflict due to all the baggage we hit each other with. Other fields where you can be sure you will find co-workers who get you: the arts and any care-taking field. Just don’t forget you have to be willing to duck from other people’s issues coming at you in these fields, so don’t expect a perfect niche every time.