when you're depressed what makes you feel better:
- Thread starter netean
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Doesn’t sound weird to me at all. When we were all cuddled up for sleep or a movie or whatever, my wife would pet my hair or my beard the same way she would if she was holding our dog, lol. It was pretty much my favorite thing ever, especially when I was having a rough time.
Hugs were great, kisses were amazing, other stuff (ahem) was fantastic. But just sitting with me and stroking my hair made me feel more loved and cared for than all of that combined. When I think about rare times I was truly at peace, that is the first thing that comes to mind.
Hugs were great, kisses were amazing, other stuff (ahem) was fantastic. But just sitting with me and stroking my hair made me feel more loved and cared for than all of that combined. When I think about rare times I was truly at peace, that is the first thing that comes to mind.
When I have a period of depression, I can't do anything physically. For example, I can't make myself go outside, make dinner or breakfast, drink coffee, take water from the fridge. Many people advise me to watch a funny video, but I can't even do that. Then I start singing. You don't have to get up to sing, you don't have to go out. You don't have to turn on the music. You just sing and that's it.
When I'm feeling down, I've found a few things that help lift my spirits.
I find comfort in connecting with nature. Taking a walk in the park, sitting by the beach, or simply spending time outdoors helps me feel more connected to the world around me. It provides a welcome distraction from negative thoughts.
Painting. There's something incredibly therapeutic about putting brush to canvas and letting my creativity flow. Even if I'm not particularly skilled at it, painting allows me to express myself in a way that words sometimes can't.
I also use an app called Calmer. It's been helpful for me in managing stress and anxiety, which often accompany feelings of depression. It offers guided meditations and breathing exercises that help me ground myself and regain a sense of calmness.
I find comfort in connecting with nature. Taking a walk in the park, sitting by the beach, or simply spending time outdoors helps me feel more connected to the world around me. It provides a welcome distraction from negative thoughts.
Painting. There's something incredibly therapeutic about putting brush to canvas and letting my creativity flow. Even if I'm not particularly skilled at it, painting allows me to express myself in a way that words sometimes can't.
I also use an app called Calmer. It's been helpful for me in managing stress and anxiety, which often accompany feelings of depression. It offers guided meditations and breathing exercises that help me ground myself and regain a sense of calmness.
when i'm depressed or in too much pain i sometimes come to SF and bury my head here. especially when i'm suffering pain that's too high, it keeps me busy and holds back the depression until the pain meds kick in. and being depressed for pain or not i realize other people have it worse than me in some ways. being on SF took me from deep troublesome depression bad enough to concern my doctor to very minor depression easily handled
mike
mike
Like @1964dodge now SF is the main place I go to when I'm depressed. It makes me feel better to express my feelings here without being judged or seen as crazy. And to know that I am not alone and I can get through it.
Other things I would do to make me feel better are sleeping and eating. The food is not always healthy but I usually don't think about health when I'm depressed. Sleep is the best thing because it's like you "die" for a while and your mind doesn't exist when you're asleep. I get to forget everything when I'm asleep. It's just peaceful.
Other things I would do to make me feel better are sleeping and eating. The food is not always healthy but I usually don't think about health when I'm depressed. Sleep is the best thing because it's like you "die" for a while and your mind doesn't exist when you're asleep. I get to forget everything when I'm asleep. It's just peaceful.
SF helps, more than I can explain; there is nowhere like it, no one besides you all who get it. Going for a run and getting sweaty for at least 45 minutes - with a shower after is, and I find my work centering andsatisfying but only when I am in the midst of it. I used to have some friends but have drifted away over the last few years. I agree with LuberJack about laughter, and really grateful for when I get a no-dream sleep too.
Self-care is the foundation of depression management. I eat nutritionally, get enough sleep, and exercise. My exercise is walking and Tai Chi. Beyond that, I try to engage in small activities that bring small successes and keep my frustrations low. I also engage in distractions such as PC games. I play Taonga Island Farm and Hero Wars. I engage in light social activities such as going to church on Sunday and I attend online knit and crochet groups. My favorite scripture for depression is Philippians 4: 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
When I was depressed I leaned on the following:
Short Term:
- Soft Heartbreak (still useful now) - This is any scene in a film or TV show that makes you cry. Its a safe avenue to get some emotion out.
- Helping others - Helping others can validate you and also distract from your own problems.
- Reality Check - Have a one or more real tangible accomplishments which no amount of negativity can negate, my favourite was remembering anyone i really helped.
- Exclude all meaning - Don't focus on reason or even want to do something, or even the task itself, fuck everything and focus on the pure mechanics of it. one leg in front of the other, move your arms, etc. If you are just focused on the mechanics, every day tasks become almost like meditation.
- Build a heroic image - Tell yourself your story as grandly as possible. Have an image of heroism. Mine was that I was hurting and beaten and weak, and standing in front of the rage of the whole world trying to break me and telling it to go fuck itself because I wont yield. It made my pain feel like it had purpose.
Long Term:
- Antidepressants - These can be very hit and miss and staying on them too long can mean never getting off them, but they can also be a lifesaver. I managed to drop them when I got better, others cant, so be warned.
- Keep busy - The busier you are, the harder it is to wallow. Drown out your misery by not giving yourself time to think about it
- Be pressured into being ok - Having someone in your life pressuring you to be ok can be an extra agony on top of everything, but they also keep you moving, keep you from wallowing or collapsing.
- Make a resolution - Decide, once and for all, where you line is. I decided I would never be a suicide, even if I shut down entirely, I wouldn't kill myself. That was my line, and made everything less about "how much longer until I can stop" and more "how do I survive".
- Humour - Humour really is a lifesaver, even if it is the darkest grittiest humour, a laugh is still a laugh. Maintaining a sense of humour, no matter how morbid, can be a big help. "Better to laugh than cry".
- Diet and Environment - You eat crap and live in crap and you will feel like crap. The opposite is also true. Better surroundings and food will make you feel better.
- Occasional indulgences - Occasionally allow yourself miserable days to feel like absolute crap. Choosing specific days for it subconsciously builds the idea that the rest of the time is for "feeling better".
- Get good sleep - This is crucial for everyone. I feel 100 times better when I am rested than when I am not, even now. I feel stronger, smarter, happier, wittier, and if you already feel down on yourself you don't want to be any worse than you actually are.
- A helping hand - If you do happen to luck out and find someone who will make the hard choices FOR you, that can help when youre burned out.
Short Term:
- Soft Heartbreak (still useful now) - This is any scene in a film or TV show that makes you cry. Its a safe avenue to get some emotion out.
- Helping others - Helping others can validate you and also distract from your own problems.
- Reality Check - Have a one or more real tangible accomplishments which no amount of negativity can negate, my favourite was remembering anyone i really helped.
- Exclude all meaning - Don't focus on reason or even want to do something, or even the task itself, fuck everything and focus on the pure mechanics of it. one leg in front of the other, move your arms, etc. If you are just focused on the mechanics, every day tasks become almost like meditation.
- Build a heroic image - Tell yourself your story as grandly as possible. Have an image of heroism. Mine was that I was hurting and beaten and weak, and standing in front of the rage of the whole world trying to break me and telling it to go fuck itself because I wont yield. It made my pain feel like it had purpose.
Long Term:
- Antidepressants - These can be very hit and miss and staying on them too long can mean never getting off them, but they can also be a lifesaver. I managed to drop them when I got better, others cant, so be warned.
- Keep busy - The busier you are, the harder it is to wallow. Drown out your misery by not giving yourself time to think about it
- Be pressured into being ok - Having someone in your life pressuring you to be ok can be an extra agony on top of everything, but they also keep you moving, keep you from wallowing or collapsing.
- Make a resolution - Decide, once and for all, where you line is. I decided I would never be a suicide, even if I shut down entirely, I wouldn't kill myself. That was my line, and made everything less about "how much longer until I can stop" and more "how do I survive".
- Humour - Humour really is a lifesaver, even if it is the darkest grittiest humour, a laugh is still a laugh. Maintaining a sense of humour, no matter how morbid, can be a big help. "Better to laugh than cry".
- Diet and Environment - You eat crap and live in crap and you will feel like crap. The opposite is also true. Better surroundings and food will make you feel better.
- Occasional indulgences - Occasionally allow yourself miserable days to feel like absolute crap. Choosing specific days for it subconsciously builds the idea that the rest of the time is for "feeling better".
- Get good sleep - This is crucial for everyone. I feel 100 times better when I am rested than when I am not, even now. I feel stronger, smarter, happier, wittier, and if you already feel down on yourself you don't want to be any worse than you actually are.
- A helping hand - If you do happen to luck out and find someone who will make the hard choices FOR you, that can help when youre burned out.
I’m not a fan of theocracy, but I think that this Jesus guy is on to something. I do tend to go towards what I think on. I grew up in a church where the emphasis was on obedience. I mean there was a scripture that went something like, if ye love me, obey my commandments! So I have this early childhood image of JC being an authority figure, but when I see words that are more like, hey why not do this kind of thing, I sort of recognize it, ya know?