What Newton Can Teach You About Overcoming Your Depression
Why Staying Stuck Feels Easier Than Moving Forward—But Hurts More
Depression feels like being trapped in quicksand. No matter how much you want to move forward, everything seems heavy, exhausting, and pointless. It’s not just about sadness—it’s about feeling stuck. When you’re in this state, even the smallest actions feel impossible.
But what if science could explain this feeling? Newton’s First Law of Motion states:
“An object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an external force.”
This law applies to depression in a metaphorical way. When you’re stuck, it takes an initial push to break out of that inertia. But once you get moving, staying in motion becomes easier. The secret to overcoming depression isn’t some grand, life-changing event. It’s about small actions that create momentum.
Understanding Mental Inertia
In physics, inertia is an object’s resistance to change. The heavier the object, the harder it is to move. Depression works the same way. The longer you stay in a rut, the harder it feels to break free.
Think about it:
The first step out of bed feels like lifting a boulder.
Cooking a meal seems like climbing a mountain.
Even watching TV can feel like too much effort.
The longer you stay in this state, the harder it is to move. This is why typical advice like “just exercise” or “be positive” doesn’t work. These suggestions assume you’re already in motion. But if your mental energy is at zero, how do you even start?
How Small Actions Create Momentum
Newton’s law tells us that an object in motion stays in motion. This means the key to escaping inertia is not waiting for motivation but creating momentum through tiny, effortless actions.
Instead of thinking about big goals like fixing your entire life, focus on the smallest possible movement that gets you going:
Can’t exercise? Stretch for 30 seconds.
Can’t read a whole book? Read one sentence.
Can’t journal? Write a single word.
These tiny steps may feel meaningless, but they build something powerful: psychological momentum. When you complete even the smallest task, your brain gets a dopamine boost. That tiny win makes it easier to take the next step.
The Psychology of Momentum
Momentum isn’t just a physics concept. It’s deeply connected to human behavior. When we accomplish something, no matter how small, our brain rewards us. This is why checking items off a to-do list feels good. It’s also why breaking tasks into smaller steps makes them more manageable.
Think about a snowball rolling down a hill. It starts small, but as it moves, it gathers more snow and gains speed. Your actions work the same way. One small task leads to another, and soon, you’re moving without forcing yourself.
Depression breaks this natural momentum by making everything feel pointless. But once you start moving, even slightly, your brain begins to shift. It starts recognizing that effort leads to progress. That’s when the cycle reverses.
Flow: The Mental Equivalent of Momentum
Psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi introduced the concept of flow—a state of deep focus and effortless action. When you’re in flow, time disappears, tasks feel natural, and you get completely absorbed in what you’re doing.
Flow is essentially mental momentum. It happens when a task is challenging enough to engage you but not so hard that it feels impossible. That’s why video games, writing, or even cleaning can sometimes feel enjoyable once you get into them. Your brain locks into a rhythm, and movement becomes automatic.
The problem with depression is that it disrupts flow before it even begins. It keeps you stuck in overthinking, preventing you from getting absorbed in anything. The key is starting small enough that flow can take over.
How to get into flow when depressed:
Lower the difficulty. If reading a book is too hard, try a short article. If writing feels overwhelming, jot down a single thought.
Remove distractions. Flow requires focus. Silence your phone, sit in a quiet space, and commit to a short session of anything productive.
Set a tiny time goal. Instead of thinking about hours of work, tell yourself you’ll do five minutes. Once you start, you might not want to stop.
Flow helps because it removes resistance. Once you start something engaging, your brain naturally wants to keep going.
Breaking the Cycle with Micro-Movements
The trick to overcoming inertia is not to fight it directly. Instead, trick your brain by taking micro-actions. If the goal is too big, your brain will resist. But if the goal is ridiculously small, your brain won’t see it as a threat.
Here’s how to apply this in daily life:
Lower the bar. If you feel stuck, set the easiest possible task. Open a book instead of committing to reading it. Stand up instead of planning a full workout.
Build on tiny successes. Completing small actions gives you dopamine, which makes the next action easier.
Let movement create motivation. Most people wait to feel inspired before acting. But movement itself generates motivation.
A rolling stone keeps rolling. Your goal is to start rolling—just a little.
Conclusion
Depression makes life feel impossible. But overcoming it doesn’t require massive effort—it requires momentum. Newton’s First Law reminds us that once you start moving, it’s easier to keep going.
Small actions lead to tiny wins. Tiny wins create momentum. Momentum builds into flow. And once you’re in flow, the weight of depression begins to lift.
So don’t focus on changing your whole life. Just take one small step today. Open a book. Write a sentence. Stretch for 30 seconds. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s motion.
Because once you’re moving, staying in motion becomes natural. And that’s how you break free.
Read this article to know the next step
