how to help yourself

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-30-2003
how to help yourself
8
Wed, 11-19-2003 - 12:52am
ok, i just read rainyday's post about sharing and andrea's post about how bad things are today, and this is what i have to share with all of you...

i know that for each person with depression we each have our own stories, hardships, and lives. what we all share is this yucky disease depression. i think many of us have been in worse places then we are now and have developed coping mechanisms for trying to help ourselves not have to return to that place. maybe if we all shared some of our coping mechanisms, it would remind ourselves to use them and also help others with ideas for overcoming their depression. i hope it is ok that i post this, i know it is a bit unconventional, i just was sad that andrea was sad and wanted to feel like we could share and help each other like rainyday said.

here are some of mine:

when i start feeling depression kicking in,

-i try to call friends or family members that i know i can talk to and get it all out.

-i used to call my therapist too and if it was really bad i knew he would talk to me and otherwise i would tell the receptionist i needed to be put on the waiting list for the next cancellation (because sometimes it takes too long if you just make an appointment, many therapists will do this).

-i light candles and take a bubble bath and listen to my favorite music.

-i keep funny forwards and read them until i start laughing.

-i wear my pink puma shoes and they make me smile.

-i hug my teddy bear if there is no one else to hug.

-i make myself leave my apartment and do something- anything- even run a quick errand.

-i think of all of the people who care about me.

- i post here!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Wed, 11-19-2003 - 1:25am

Great Idea Vogue Girl


*I read Piers Anthony Xanth books, they are full of stupid, silly puns, like punwheel cookies and cherry bombs that look like cherries, but explode.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-18-2003
Wed, 11-19-2003 - 10:23am
Thank you VogueGirl and Trac for your suggestions. I hope this post keeps going for a while, so that one of these days I'll be able to add something to it. But until that time comes, I will check back to it and keep trying the new things that show up on it.

Peace, Love & Light,

Foggy T

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-18-2007
Wed, 11-19-2003 - 10:33am

((((((((((Voguegirl)))))))))), what a great idea!

 

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CL-ladybug987

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-01-2003
Wed, 11-19-2003 - 2:20pm
Vogue Girl,

What a wonderful suggestion. I hope this post stays up for a while, so we can see some different suggestions. We know that facials are out for me.


Hugs- There is medical proof that hugs help the body, so hug another human, your pet, or anything that makes you feel good.



Music- The children’s songs are always great ones to put a smile on my face. Who could resist “Skip to my Lou” or “Clemintine.”


Jump on the bed with the little ones.



Exercise- run, I come from a family that likes to run.


Post here and other boards.


These are just a few.



Warm Regards,

RainydaysArgon




iVillage Member
Registered: 07-15-2003
Wed, 11-19-2003 - 3:39pm
Honestly, I have lost myself so much that I find very little enjoyment in life. I am a born country girl, and I live in town. I am completely unhappy living in town.

I want to be able to go out and ride my horse, not that I have one right now, mow the lawn, weed the garden, swing in the hammock

Pamela

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-18-2007
Thu, 11-20-2003 - 11:08am

BUMP!!!

 

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CL-ladybug987

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-18-2003
Thu, 11-20-2003 - 11:23am
voguegirl:


this is what I do to feel better.

--I look at pictures of my son and smile

--I play with my dog Lola

--Take lola to the beach for walks or stay and walk around the neighborhood

--call friends

--go out and dance

--listen to all of my favorite music at full blast and dance and sing around my room

--clean

--Take a hot shower

--talk with my neice and watch disney movies with her

--post here

--go and see old friends

and that is what I do to feel better and there are many others that make me feel better

but not enough time ansd space for it all.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-30-2003
Thu, 11-20-2003 - 1:46pm
i love that everyone is responding to this! i know i need to remind myself of those little things that make me happy often. i hope people keep posting! :)