Aside from meds, what are some things that you have found to be helpful when you are feeling down (leaning toward depression)/in a slump?

I find upbeat music to be very helpful. Either listening to it or even playing it myself. When I'm feeling down, it sometimes helps to get out my guitar. If I'm feeling really down, it helps to get out my banjo and play some bluegrass.



Some other things I've thought of or have read here and there:

Get a good amount of sleep, but don't oversleep.

Keep bright lights in the house. (Don't worry about the bill).

Play or Listen to upbeat music (already mentioned above)

Call a friend-- ask how they are. Don't just complain. (but don't over do this one and stay on the phone/keep calling people all day).

Go out and help someone else. Volunteer at a nursing home, at church, etc.

Put together a Jigsaw puzzle with your son/daughter

Brush your cat. Walk your dog.

Go for a bike ride. (One reason why I don't like winter).

Go for a walk. Have a destination.

Get a haircut. (I even cut my own hair).

Put on some make up. Paint your nails. (women only)

Dress-up (Like the song in Hello Dolly "Put on your Sunday Clothes When You Feel Down and Out").

Do something productive. Even something small. (Like cleaning out a junk drawer).

If you have a "TO DO LIST." Make it reasonable in length so that it is somewhat challenging (not boring) but still achievable.

Pray. Meditate. Sing praise songs, (if you're so inclined).



These are probably important too, but I don't do them:

Cut back on the carbohydrates

Cut back on the caffeine (actually, I don't do this, because I take in almost no caffeine to begin with, so there's nothing to cut back on).

Eat regular meals

Try to keep a regular schedule/Habits. (I'm not good at this).

Plan a trip

Journal

Get/give a hug

Shop (within reason)

Color/paint

Send cards to people, for any occasion, by the internet.....I like bluemountain.com

Read a trashy novel.

I look around and find something I can do that I will do well and complete. The trick for me is to choose something small enough that I can do it well and properly. Many times it's only been the dishes getting washed that I thought I might be able to see through.

I've found that if I can get physically moving by doing something the rest just flows. I have learnt to aim low... way low on the first task though because if I miss it takes me a while to muster the strength for another attempt.

I start by asking myself.. "what CAN I do?" and start from there.

Go for a drive...

Or go for it... dive right into depressed morose thoughts, follow them where ever they go... right past the ridiculous... that is usually where I can let go of them.

Get some sleep.

But it wont hurt

Drag your cursor over the Bears (http://www.nobodyhere.com/toren.hier)

Originally posted by Garry Lawton
But it wont hurt

Drag your cursor over the Bears (http://www.nobodyhere.com/toren.hier)

Cute :D

Originally posted by itschaotic
I look around and find something I can do that I will do well and complete. The trick for me is to choose something small enough that I can do it well and properly. Many times it's only been the dishes getting washed that I thought I might be able to see through.

I've found that if I can get physically moving by doing something the rest just flows. I have learnt to aim low... way low on the first task though because if I miss it takes me a while to muster the strength for another attempt.

I start by asking myself.. "what CAN I do?" and start from there.

I loved this, this was one fo the first times I have seen my own advice from someones mouth. I am part of a 12 step program where my sponser used to tell me, some days, staying clean and sober is all you can ask for, other days its stay clean and sober and grow. I have used that as a way of letting me off the hook when laundry seems like an overwhelming event, and coffee grinding is just one more chore and another way to dirty dishes, when I contemplate whether or not I truly have to go to the potty or can I hold it til I have more gumption? Somedays I have to remember that getting up and taking my meds is a big deal and thats ok. Funny thing is, the days I need to let me off the hook and be gentle are the very days I am hardest on me and full of self hatred.................I am the oxymoron.

I sometimes get in a sprialing-downward-funk and it is hard to shake. My emotions roll me. What I have to do is get away from the computer and and the office at lunch. I go out to my car, or sometimes under a nearby oak tree and I write in my Journal and and read my Bible. The perspective I get from writing in my journal almost always makes things better for me. I am learning that my emotions are not very reliable, they toss me to and fro. I am not saying that emotions are no good, I am a very emotional person, but to my detriment sometimes and I need to do things such as Journaling, etc that ground me and clear my heart and head of the emotional noise and clatter that is there for me.
Going for a walk can also be good for me, or writing a poem because it helps me focus in to the root of what is going on within my downcast spirit.

Originally posted by Lafnalot


I loved this, this was one fo the first times I have seen my own advice from someones mouth. I am part of a 12 step program where my sponser used to tell me, some days, staying clean and sober is all you can ask for, other days its stay clean and sober and grow. I have used that as a way of letting me off the hook when laundry seems like an overwhelming event, and coffee grinding is just one more chore and another way to dirty dishes, when I contemplate whether or not I truly have to go to the potty or can I hold it til I have more gumption? Somedays I have to remember that getting up and taking my meds is a big deal and thats ok. Funny thing is, the days I need to let me off the hook and be gentle are the very days I am hardest on me and full of self hatred.................I am the oxymoron.

< loose lips >

Thanks for piping up.. After I posted I re-read what others had written and thought how "unlike" others my approach is. My wife was reading over my shoulder as I discovered your post and said of your post, "You could have written that". I had to agree.

What other things work well for you? This one of "What can I do" is where I always begin. It reminds me a bit of working with horses. When I was training up my mare I never knew what we would be working on or how far we would go until we began to exchange responses. Some days she drank it up all very quickly and we advanced to new elements of training and on other days the lessons learnt were only right at the beginning and about getting in and out of the barn safely.

Animals were the first relationships that I trusted. I began with dogs and then got distracted in a moment of impulsivity and bought a green two year old Arab filly. Everyone for miles around shook their collective heads.. and my wife simply slumped! ehh I think there is much to be said about what we can learn from animals and what we learn about ourselves in the process.

Two books that have helped me very much in learning some patience with myself are the two noted below. "Adam's Task" I have read more than a dozen times. There are some very interesting concepts about communication explored in that one. The "Monty Robert's book is an inspiration to all who struggle and again has many good things to say about our humanity.

Although I have used this company indicated in the links below and was happy to have a good used book selection I have no affiliation with them other than as a customer.

"Adam's Task"
http://www.alibris.com/search/search.cfm?qwork=114531&matches=31&qsort=r

"The Man Who Listens to Horses"
http://www.alibris.com/search/search.cfm?qwork=4139541&matches=427&qsort=r

As many of you have likely guessed I too am a product of nearly 13 years in a twelve step program. I have recently stopped attending meetings though as I am reviewing almost everything in my life... and I hate the smoke. < g > Sponsors are a wonderful thing but my "coach" has been able to help implement change in ways I never dreamt of previously.

One other thing that has made a big impact recently is a comment from Jon (healthwiz) about setting goals. I have been trying to set three goals for the day first thing in the morning. I have of course over done it in my enthusiasm but I continue to back it off and ramp it down to try and find three goals that I can attain during the day. Jon was kind enough to send me a lot of details regarding his practise that he has learnt. Thank-you Jon. < vbh > (short for very big hug!) < g > My goal right now seems to be to try and find levels of goal setting that I can succeed at. Too much failure and I am bound to crash and burn. Thus.. "what can I do".. heh For me there seems to be something really powerful in the accountability of writing some commitment down or in stating it to my coach or partner... even the kids seem to help in this respect. The first time I tried Jon's three goals in the morning routine I couldn't forget about it all day.. forgetting is my speciality and one I'm looking to loose!

I have a day timer that helps me to no end. I've been meaning to get into the commentary on PDA's on this board but have run out of time in the day to cover everything..

Ok.. that's enough scattered rambling from this babbler. I had opportunity to talk to a member here on the phone the other day.. that was pretty cool too.. I love not being alone with this stuff.

< / loose lips >

I was relived and excited to find your post. Thank-you very much... it'll help me keep my chin up while I fight this cold and enjoy my day at work.

Thanks again David for your efforts in making this board possible.

Cheers! Ian.

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Hehehehe!!! Now my boyfriend thinks I've officially lost it. There is something so ridiculous about those bears, Gary, that it was funny!! :D

Monty Python is always a gauranteed lift to my brooding spirits. Either the 'Holy Grail' or episodes from the Flying circus. I also have a double CD of their skits and music too that's hilarius.

Also the British comedy "Absolutely Fabulous"; it's so over the top that it's just wrong!

Screw ball comedies. Like 'The Court Jester'... but not to many people are into Danny Kaye. I also like 'My Man Godfrey'; with Carol Lombard. Classic!

I also like to read 'Pride and Predjudice'. I cannot explain why, but somehow it levels my head (I think it's Austen's style of writing). 'The Princess Bride' is great too, but I have yet to finish it (been trying for a few years!). I also love watching the BBC miniseries of Pride and Predjudice, they did a great job. And, my favorite miniseries, 'Shogun'; it's marvelous. But I have to do these in chunks, of course!

It also helps to go to a comedy club too, for an evening. But not on ametuer night, and I wouldn't reccomend sitting close to the comedian- you might end up as a part of their act; most unwantedly.

Baking cookies! Extra chocolate chips! And eating them before they cool, with milk.

Getting the entire house as clean as possible, with all surfaces cleared and organized (that's the hard part for me, if I have to shove every piece of junk out of sight and into a closet then so be it!) right before I go to bed; when I don't have to leave the house for anything the next day. Then I wake up to a very crisp, serene environment and can relax and feel free to focus my mind on recreation... or just get into a project and destroy the place in the process!

So I guess my philosophy is; anything that makes you laugh, anything that you enjoy to read and watch, anything that can clear your head... and don't forget the cookies!

Don't forget Kids in the Hall! Oh, Canada!

America's Funniest Home Videos or any of the "blooper" programs. What's better than seeing some poor dude taking a shot to the berries from a two year old with a wiffle bat? (sorry if that's painful for you fellas, but I just can't help feeling better when I see that. I am busting up just tinking about it.) Benny Hill, Bugs Bunny or Roadrunner will do the trick as well.

go for long walks in the woods with my dog!

///oo\\\

Listen to self help CD's.