Stress Center Peer Support

I have noticed while reading through the postings, that a lot out there need to know how to overcome depression, since, it just wants to linger around for quite a while!!!!

I have learned to embrace 100% any negative feeling which comes my way. These are my feelings, and I own them. Running from your own feelings only intensifies the symptoms!!! Stop running, and embrace those feelings, today!!!!

Send them an open invitation, and really mean it!!! These are just feelings, and feelings cannot hurt you, in any way. They can make you feel really horrible, but, you can combat them!!! By embracing your feelings, you are actually cutting their life-span in half, if not more!!!

Focus on all the things you have to be thankful for. Allow room for humor in your life. Learn to laugh at yourself. Get out there and do something that makes you feel better about yourself...Ask yourself.."What can I do right now to make myself feel better?"

Become spontaneous. Try doing new things. Act silly!!! Say silly things!!!! Just see how goofy you can really be!!! Make up some goofy song, and sing it out loud!!! Put a smile on that face, even, if you don't feel like smiling!!!

Use your imagination to embrace laughter!!!! Imagine yourself embracing it, with all of your being. Focus on the positive things in your life. Let go of all the negativity!!!

Take a bubble bath, or a warm shower. Imagine while taking your shower, that you are at the most beautiful waterfalls. Imagine yourself, becoming more and more relaxed as the water washes over you!!! Breathe a deep sigh of relief!!! Doesn't this feel great????

Stay busy...Try and keep your mind occupied, at all times!!! Read a book, take a nature walk, contemplate on your life's good fortune...The simple things!!! Observe nature. Notice how balanced out it all is...Watch as the trees sway, notice, how they do so with no effort.

Nature just rolls with the flow, and I think that is what we all need to do. Just accept whatever comes our way. Just take one day at a time and roll with the flow!!!!

Give someone a hug, today. You will make them, and yourself feel much better. Think how blessed you are to have these people in your life!!!

Know that you are not alone. Everyone has their "down moments"...We all need each other throughout this journey!!!! You are needed..You are valuable...You have much to contribute to this world!!!

Do something nice just for you. Buy yourself a gift, go out with some friends, better yet, visit a spa. Baby yourself, as you have always babied others. You are worth the effort!!!

Practice deep relaxation exercises!!! Listen to soothing music. Get on the internet..Google all the inspirational videos and slideshows!!!

Make sure that everything you watch, read, or listen to is very positive. Watch and read things which are motivational. Watch every nature slideshow and video you can find on the net!!! Do these things every chance you get!!!

Pray or read something inspirational!!! Focus on all the things you love about yourself!!! Be proud of all your accomplishments. Pat your self on the back!!!

Begin today...Set realistic goals. Don't live in the past, or the future. Living in the past causes depression, and you are missing your precious, present moments. Living in the future, sets you up for anxiety!!! Live in the NOW!!!!

Stop worry about things that will never happen. Change those negative thoughts to more realistic, truthful, positive thoughts!!! Find out who you really are. Write those compassionate love letters to yourself!!!!

Keep a journal. Vent all of your feelings and thoughts in this journal!!!! Take this journal with you when you go out for that nature walk. Write in there all the beauty which surrounds you. Become poetic. Try to make it rhyme...Make a rhyme, every time...

Keep in mind, you are never alone, although, you may feel very alone. There are millions of people in the world, you just need to find people of similar interests, and get out there and enjoy your life!!!

You are loved!!! No doubt about that one. You may not feel loved, but, that doesn't change the fact, that you are LOVED!!!

Share your feelings with a trusted friend!!!

Remember, life is too short, so, don't waste one more precious moment of it dwelling on your misery. Don't play the victim "Poor Me"...Believe me, the nursing homes are full of people much worse off than you. Try visiting one for yourself...This can be a real eye-opener for you.

You are Blessed. No doubt about it!!! Make that conscious decision today, to make the very most out of your life!!!! Don't waste another moment drowning in your fears and depression!!!

May God Bless Each and Every One of You Is My Prayer!!!!

PS..Never put off tomorrow, what can be done today. Live each and every day, as though, it were your last, and I guarantee you, you will be sooo much happier!!!!

BTW...If you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always gotten!!!

That was great! I ust do not know how to live in the present moment, im always thinking of stuff, past and future, my brain doesnt stop! I am hoping to change my meds soon, so hopefully my brain activity will calm down. I just dont know how tolet go anymore and live in the moment!!!! ugh!!!

CG...If you have the program, then you need to work on replacing each and every negative thought with a thought that makes you feel more content, safe, healthy, and secure!!!!

If you don't have the program, then, I suggest you get it ASAP....God Bless!!!

I am reposting this one for those who are new to the forum!!! God Bless

Dear Mrs T,

You have such a good/kind soul & funny spirit about ya - all great hun.

I'd like to share an experience I had during my experience w/ depression:

I had not yet returned to working. This depression was all new to me, never having experienced it before. My soul/spirit felt completely & totally depleted, kind of like I was zapped w/ a stun gun tazer thingy. I became someone I did not recognize. 1 day, on a FRIDAY MORN to be precise, I was feeling particularly BLAH x's 1000. This local radio station (I live in NJ - so NY area station) usually has this "kiss the week goodbye" friday broadcast. I told myself, "well I should @ least go listen to it. Heck(I used another word), it probaby won't do any good. They play all music - but on friday's, they play music(all types) that just make you want to get up + dance + move your tushy. I sat there initially listening to the music. I was home alone & honestly - initially felt "so what". WELLLLLL, lol - the 1st song I remember, that started the soul moving in my body was "DEVIL WENT DWN TO GA" - I felt my foot tapping. Next, I think that song fr Risky Business "old time rock n roll" - then my tushy started moving. Well heck, by the next song(which I so don't remember:):) ) I was there up in my kitchen, SEVERE DEPRESSION & ALL, moving my tushy + dancing around the kitchen + singing the most off key & tone deaf you everrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr heard & as God is my witness - my soul felt lifted. Pardon my language, I literally told depression, "the H.LL w/ you, I am gonna sing & dance". I made myself listen to the entire broadcast: great songs & funny stories by the dj's & I made myself a promise - every fri, particularly as I was experiencing depression & not working YET, I would have a DATE - w/ that station on FRI MORNING'S (just me & them). So, I did just that. I FORCED myself to do it. Sure, I didn't think it would have any effect on me - my soul was stronger than the depression & as terrible as I do sing, hahahahha, I enjoy doing it. MUSIC is food for the soul - uplifting in the best ways.

Depression, fr my experience w/ it, will attempt to create a state of being - in the most negative way - attempting to totally deplete your soul + spirit + desire + drive + enthusiasm for any & all things. It attempts to give you every reason NOT TO - while simultaneously attempting to convince you that YOUR BEST INTERESTS lie in NOT DOING THOSE "CERTAIN SOMETHINGS"(in my 1 ex - the dancing on fri morning in my kitchen). No matter how hard it was - I DID IT STILL. I did, 9x's out of 10, the very opposite of what depression was telling me. It creates a fausaud, all a FRAUD. I simply didn't listen.

All my best, friend to friend,

LENORE

Lenore... I loved your inspirational story!!! Thank you sooo much for sharing it with all of us!!!

I also know these two songs...The devil went down to Georgia, and that Old Time Rock 'n' roll!!!

I love that song...Old Time Rock 'n' roll!!!
I enjoy doing silly things, myself!!!

The sillier the better...LOL...

Nothing like a little humor to brighten up our days!!!

I really appreciate you...Lenore...You are a great person!!! Thank again...God Bless

reposting for those new to the forum

REPOSTING...