Category: Getting better

Conquering the Blues with Silly Sayings: A Dose of Laughter for Depression’s Downers

On By debdebtigIn Bad day, Busy, Depression, Getting better, Happy, Relax, Smile, WellnessLeave a comment

Depression can feel like a heavy cloak, muffling joy and zapping motivation. But even in the midst of the storm, a little laughter can peek through the clouds. And what better way to find that sliver of sunshine than with some silly sayings?

Sure, they may not be Shakespeare, but these nonsensical nuggets of fun can bring a smile to your face, even if it’s just a tiny one. And sometimes, that’s all it takes to tip the scales in the right direction.

So, let’s ditch the doom and gloom and dive into the delightful world of silly sayings! Here are a few gems to get you started:

  • “I’m on a seafood diet. I see food, and I eat it.”
  • “My therapist told me to act like a duck in life. Calm and collected on the surface, paddling like hell underneath.”
  • “I’m not lazy, I’m just highly motivated to do nothing.”
  • “My brain is like a browser with 100 tabs open, most of them useless.”
  • “I’m not sure what’s wrong with my phone. I keep pressing the home button, but I’m still stuck at work.”

Remember, laughter is the best medicine (okay, maybe not literally, but it’s pretty darn good). So, share these silly sayings with your fellow depression warriors. Spread the laughter, lighten the mood, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll all find a reason to smile again.

Bonus Silly Sayings:

  • Feeling stressed? Just remember, you’re basically a walking bag of chemicals. Take a deep breath and chill, your mitochondria will thank you. 
  • Can’t sleep? Don’t worry, sheep aren’t judging. They’re probably just as awake as you are, counting all the ways their lives are better than ours. 
  • Feeling down? Think of it as practicing for your superhero origin story. Every great hero has a rock-bottom moment before they rise to the top. 
  • Brain not working? Don’t panic, it’s probably just on energy saver mode. Grab a coffee and hit the reset button.
  • Having a bad hair day? Just tell yourself you’re channeling your inner Einstein. Messy hair = genius, right?

Remember, the key is to find the silly sayings that resonate with you. They’re not a magic cure, but they can be a powerful tool in your depression-fighting arsenal. So, laugh it out, embrace the absurdity, and let the sillies chase away the blues!

P.S. If you’re struggling with depression, please know that you’re not alone. There are people who care about you and want to help. Reach out to a friend, family member, therapist, or anyone you trust. There is hope, and there is help. You deserve to feel happy again.

I hope this post brought a smile to your face, even if it was just a small one. Remember, laughter is a powerful tool, so use it liberally! And above all, be kind to yourself. You’re doing great.

Now go forth and spread the silly!

10 Ways to Cope with Depression When You Can’t Afford Therapy

On By debdebtigIn Depression, Get help, Getting better, WellnessLeave a comment

As someone that has dealt with depression for many years, I feel that the access to help when depressed is critical to everyone. But, as mentioned below, it isn’t always something that everyone can afford. Read on to find out more about what to do when you can’t cope with the cost of therapy but still need to cope with depression. Remember there are always options when you need help right now. See my earlier post on Where to get help.

Depression is a common mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It can cause a variety of symptoms, including sadness, loss of interest in activities, changes in appetite and sleep, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. Depression can have a significant impact on your daily life, making it difficult to work, study, and maintain relationships.

If you are struggling with depression, it is important to seek professional help. However, therapy can be expensive, and not everyone can afford it. If you can’t afford therapy, there are a number of things you can do to cope with depression on your own.

Here are 10 ways to cope with depression when you can’t afford therapy:

  1. Talk to a trusted friend or family member. Sometimes, simply talking to someone you care about can make a big difference. They can offer support and understanding, and they may be able to help you come up with other coping mechanisms.
  2. Get regular exercise. Exercise is a great way to improve your mood, reduce stress, and boost your self-esteem. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.
  3. Get enough sleep. When you’re well-rested, you’re better able to cope with stress and manage your emotions. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep per night.
  4. Eat a healthy diet. Eating nutritious foods gives your body the energy it needs to function properly. Avoid processed foods, sugary drinks, and excessive caffeine and alcohol.
  5. Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgment. It can help to reduce stress and anxiety, and improve mood. There are many different ways to practice mindfulness, such as meditation, yoga, and deep breathing.
  6. Spend time in nature. Spending time in nature has been shown to have a number of mental health benefits, including reducing stress, improving mood, and boosting creativity. Try to spend some time each day outdoors, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
  7. Engage in activities you enjoy. When you’re doing something you enjoy, it takes your mind off of your worries and helps to boost your mood. Make time for activities that you find pleasurable and relaxing, such as reading, listening to music, spending time with loved ones, or pursuing hobbies.
  8. Join a support group. Support groups can provide a safe and supportive environment to talk about your experiences with depression and connect with others who are going through the same thing. There are many different types of support groups available, both in-person and online.
  9. Take advantage of free resources. There are a number of free resources available to help people cope with depression. For example, many libraries offer free access to mental health books and resources. There are also a number of online resources, such as websites and apps, that can provide support and information.
  10. Be patient with yourself. Recovering from depression takes time. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately. Just keep taking small steps each day and be patient with yourself.

If you are struggling to cope with depression on your own, please know that you are not alone. There are people who care about you and want to help. Reach out to a trusted friend or family member, or seek professional help from a therapist or counselor.

Additional tips

  • If you are feeling suicidal, please reach out to a crisis hotline or mental health professional immediately. There is help available, and you don’t have to go through this alone.
  • If you are taking any medications, be sure to talk to your doctor before making any changes to your routine.
  • Remember that you are not alone. Millions of people struggle with depression, and there is help available.

Depression – What is it?

On By debdebtigIn Depression, Get help, Getting better, WellnessLeave a comment
  • Depression is a common mental illness that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest in activities that once brought pleasure. Depression can also cause changes in sleep, appetite, energy levels, concentration, and thoughts.
  • The symptoms of depression can vary from person to person. Some people may experience only a few symptoms, while others may experience many. The symptoms of depression can also vary in severity.
  • There are many different risk factors for depression. Some of the risk factors for depression include:
    • Family history: People who have a family history of depression are more likely to develop the condition themselves.
    • Personal history: People who have experienced a traumatic event, such as the death of a loved one or a serious illness, are more likely to develop depression.
    • Substance abuse: People who abuse drugs or alcohol are more likely to develop depression.
    • Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid problems and cancer, can increase the risk of depression.
    • Life stressors: People who are going through a lot of stress, such as financial problems or relationship problems, are more likely to develop depression.
  • There are many different ways to detect depression. Some of the methods that can be used to detect depression include:
    • Self-assessment tools: There are many different self-assessment tools that can be used to screen for depression. These tools are usually available online or in doctor’s offices.
    • Clinical interviews: A doctor or mental health professional can conduct a clinical interview to assess for depression. This interview will typically include questions about the person’s symptoms, medical history, and family history.
    • Biological tests: There are some biological tests that can be used to detect depression, such as blood tests and brain scans. However, these tests are not always accurate and are not usually used to diagnose depression.
  • Early detection and treatment of depression is important. If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, it is important to seek professional help. Depression is a treatable condition, and there are many different effective treatments available.
  • If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, there are many resources available to help. You can talk to your doctor or a mental health professional, or you can contact a crisis hotline or support group. There is help available, and you don’t have to go through this alone.

Today is Mental Health Awareness Day

On By debdebtigIn Depression, Get help, Getting better, WellnessLeave a comment

Today, I will share my truth. I am plagued by depression. Depression doesn’t have me, but depression does fight with me.

It fights with me to stay in bed and not start the day.

It fights with me to not be positive and bring light to the world.

It fights with me to not go out shopping.

It fights with me to not go visit my grandbabies.

It fights with me to not go out and play with the dog.

Know this:

I WILL get out of bed and start my day!

I WILL continue to be positive and try to bring a light to the world.

I WILL go shopping when I need to (Yup, today).

I WILL continue to go visit my grandbabies to enjoy their beautiful light and love.

I WILL go outside and enjoy the sun and play with Teddy.

Depression may plague me, but, *I* will define me!

Amazing Life

On By debdebtigIn Bad day, Depression, Getting better, Happy, Joy, WellnessLeave a comment

Feeling incredibly blessed. I have a loving family. Wonderful friends. An amazing man. And everything is going right with my world.

But know that when you fight depression and anxiety it’s an every day battle. Some days are amazing while others can be so hard to even crawl out of bed.

I’m very happy that I have so much in my life that makes me want to get up and join this amazing world every day. It definitely wasn’t always that way.

Depression and Cleanliness

On By debdebtigIn Bad day, Busy, Depression, Getting better, WellnessLeave a comment

Do you have a depressed friend that can never seem to get their house clean? Always dishes in the sink or the floor really needing to be vacuumed? Thinking back to my absolute worst days I can see my houses at those times and I just cringe at the sight. Clothes everywhere rather than in the basket. Dishes in the sink. And vacuum? You’ve got to be kidding.

Know that even if your friend doesn’t know they are depressed you are probably seeing someone that is having a really rough time. I had so many times where my house became the first visible sign of how bad my depression had gotten. I remember my mother saying ‘a messy house is a sign of a messy mind’ and she was usually right. How could I possibly wrap my head around cleaning my house when I couldn’t wrap my head around clearing the clutter in my mind?

Some opposites happened as well. A couple times I was smart enough to help someone else out financially while I dealt with the depression rather than making the depression worse by trying to clean or organize. On the other hand there were times where a specific thing would be neat and organized to the nth degree. I was told once by a psychologist that it was because it made me feel better to be able to control that one thing.

If you have a friend or family member going through this don’t JUDGE them, help them. Find out what’s wrong and how you can help pull them OUT of the depression even a little bit. Anything could help.

Yeah, I still see days when stuff builds up but nothing like I have before. And man am I glad I recognize it for what it is when it starts. If this is you. Just tackle it once piece at a time. Don’t get overwhelmed and take care of you! Ask for help if you need it.

Depression and memory loss…

On By debdebtigIn Depression, Forgetful, Forgot, Get help, Getting betterLeave a comment

Ever notice how your depressed friend seems to forget stuff? I didn’t realize when it was happening how bad the memory loss was. Looking back at my worst periods of depression I see it now.

I’d get those calls and messages from friends ‘hey did you forget to send me that info?’ Or ‘hey did you ship that thing?’ Or even ‘umm did you forget you were coming over?’ And yes I’d forget everything! Can you imagine how horrible that makes you feel when you were doing something nice for someone and a few weeks later they ask if you sent it only to realize ‘oh crap! I forgot again!’

If I ‘forgot’ about you in the past just know it wasn’t about you! It wasn’t that I didn’t care. It’s simply a horrible symptom of depression. And the more depressed you are the worse the memory loss can be! Of course, the more you realize that you forgot the worse you feel about forgetting and that causes you to beat yourself up even more making you more depressed. It’s a horrible and painful cycle.

If your there forgive yourself. If your friend is there forgive them! It’s not their fault! And if your there look for tools to help. To do lists do wonders. But don’t over do them either. They can be overwhelming for you if your depressed and can’t seem to get through them. Break stuff down into little parts and do what you can when you can. Every accomplishment helps! Even the tiny ones.

Hang in there. Your loved and I hope this helps you know you are NOT alone!

Busy bee…

On By debdebtigIn Busy, Getting better, Happy, JoyLeave a comment

I’ve been a bit absent here lately, for that I apologize. There is a lot going on in my world. I’m excited to start planning our weddings. (Yes, multiple as we are a multi-continent couple.) It’s interesting how quiet times can be either sad because I miss him so much or hectic because I’m so busy thinking about everything that needs to get done.

I hope this finds you happily active today and that you’re finding time to enjoy life not dwell on it. Take care and God Bless.