How do YOU keep your depression at bay?

Holly J · Post by **Holly J** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 1:00 pm

Just curious how everyone copes with their depression. I suppose I just try and distract myself with silly things on the internet or go out. But sometimes my depression gets so bad )-:

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 2:46 pm

Hey Holly,

This is in no particular order.

I will watch something funny (for me The Simpsons is good for this.)

Being Christian, Psalm 150 for some reason puts a smile on my face and lifts me.

I'll play video pool.

If I am depressed and it's night time, I'll go to bed early.

I'll work on a business project.

Much of my depression comes from situations and my resulting displeasure/frustration/etc. I have felt that the majority of my depression stems from negative thinking. Lately I have been reading Albert Ellis's How to Stubbornly Refuse to Make Yourself Miserable About Anything Yes Anything. I am going on the offensive, attacking the beliefs and thoughts which bring on my depression.

Talk to my wife about non-depression things.

Dixie1980x · Post by **Dixie1980x** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 10:56 pm

I guess we each cope a bit differently, but I like to listen to good music, spend time with family, surf the net, watch some tv, look for funny things anywhere I can, fix things around the house (currently fixing up my "new" place), pray, sing in the shower, remind myself that many others in the world are worse off than me, visit this site a lot, etc. Hope this helps.
p.s. I believe that nutrition is very important also.

Mary Wargo · Post by **Mary Wargo** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 1:55 am

What works for me in keeping depression at bay is to be grateful. I go over in my mind all the things that I am grateful for.
I find that if I concentrate on gratefulness that depression becomes an impossibility.
For example, I am grateful that I have 2 great kids....so I think about this and it makes me smile and be appreciative of this fact.
If I focus on bad things from the past or if I fret over what could possibly come my way in the future, I am giving in to depression.
So I focus on today and continually remind myself of the so many things that I am and can be grateful for. Hope this helps.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 6:20 am

I am very grateful for this program and the "blurbs" from others that have the same issues as me! Thanks for all the imput; I've just recently started the program and so far so good!!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 7:39 am

usually I talk with my kids on the net as this usually removes the focus from me and brings joy. also, I take a long walk if it's good weather. Listening to good music or watching .an interesting program on tv, reading my bible always help. However, SOMETIMES THE DEPRESSION GETS EXTREMELY BAD !

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 10:36 am

Pamela, when the depression gets really bad what do you do?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 11:29 am

I have bipolar (manic-depression) and I had a bad spell yesterday. I could feel myself spiraling down FAST...we have friends coming over tomorrow (they have six kids) and I wanted to enjoy it, not be all bummed out and weird. I decided to just do things I knew were good for me and take it easy on myself. Usually I break into the chocolate, but since I started the program I've tried to go easy on that. I ate a banana instead and got on the Nordic Track for a few minutes...I didn't want to over do it because I haven't been exercising regularly and I didn't want to wear myself out and be exhausted on top of it. It took a lot of will power to exercise, but telling myself that I only had to do it for two minutes really helped me to just do it, and it was enough. I also just told myself that if I was depressed when my friends came, so be it. They're my friends right? They'll love me anyway. Within a few hours I was feeling better. By that evening the depression was totally gone! Usually when I start to feel that way it lasts for at least a few days, most often a few weeks. I was very pleased with myself for that success. Today has been absolutely WONDERFUL by the way. I came across a method called Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)this morning. I'm hoping this will help me with the next bout.

Be-Positive · Post by **Be-Positive** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 6:40 am

little ol' me: That is awsome how well you were able to turn your mood around! That was good encouragement for me. Thanks for posting

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 11:23 am

I have had depression for quite a while, and my mom suggested I use peppermint essential oil mixed with lotion on my face to help things lighten up a bit and it really has helped.