How do you stop yourself getting down

krustylouise

Don't worry I can relate too! I feel like we're stuck in Groundhog Day! " oh...it's snowing AGAIN!?" All I seem to do is work and look after DD, I don't have time or money to socialise, my friends don't live close by either. DD is struggling to socialise at school ATM which is incredibly upsetting for us both, and my house is a tip because after a full day at work and doing homework with DD and bedtime routine the last thing I can be bothered to do is washing up and blooming cleaning!

I find getting fresh air always perks me up, if I get the chance to go out. Hope you feel better soon, and knowing your not alone feeling this way should hopefully help too xx

lemontart

Like you I am recovering (at least getting there slowly) have ongoing issues with daughters health to deal with not to mention totally skint,

My respite comes when I am alseep only place I stand a chance of getting peace providing the pain does not wake me or daughter does not wake me or dogs do not wake me - either that or a long hot shower with the head turned to massage spray.................when all are asleep and snoring............I just stand there letting the hot water warm me and relax me a little............

But also a small indulgence of pure pleasure at 39 pence is a Lidls fresh baked apple turnover ..........................to die for total sugar fix buttery melt in mouth pastry with plenty of apple in it and not that awful apple sugary stuff you get in some ...................

meritaten

I go on youtube and find 'funny' things to laugh at. or watch a film I know I find funny - and I find 'outtakes' and 'you've been framed' irisistably funny. half hour later and my mood is sunny again! Laughter really is good medicine!
I also take time to look about me and I mean to 'see' things! not just see the sky is gray and its raining - but to see that the path of York gravel looks really beautiful in the rain, some pieces shine like amber! that right now on my miniature willow tree, the buds are covered in rain which makes it look like strands of a crystal necklace. that the birds are still having fun in the huge plant pot saucer which is their bird bath - they get a bath and a shower! and they seem to queue up in the hazel tree for their turn.
then if the sun does come out - its like the world has turned into a huge jewellery box! magical!
I can get very depressed - but, I know the signs and I 'nip it in the bud' now. to sink into depression is too easy - been there a few times - aint doing it again! it does take a bit of work and it takes being determined to pull yourself out but it can be done without the aid of pills or potions IF you get to know yourself and your depression triggers and HOW to get yourself back up again.
Nobody knows you like you do - the answers are in yourself to what makes you happy or content or even just not depressed! and I swear that for me its little things like I describe above.

Rowan9

Some good posts here with positive things to do:)
In Edinburgh - well, depending on weather, can you:
*take a bus to Portobello and walk along the beach
*go to the Botanic Gardens (another poster mentioned going to a greenhouse)
*walk along Princes St Gardens and maybe have a flask of tea and some squash and biscuits in the shelter
*do you use Groupon? They have had a deal lately for Hendersons for soup and a salad for £3
Will try to think of other things but sending good wishes
W

sonastin

meritaten wrote: »

I can get very depressed - but, I know the signs and I 'nip it in the bud' now. to sink into depression is too easy - been there a few times - aint doing it again! it does take a bit of work and it takes being determined to pull yourself out but it can be done without the aid of pills or potions IF you get to know yourself and your depression triggers and HOW to get yourself back up again.
Nobody knows you like you do - the answers are in yourself to what makes you happy or content or even just not depressed! and I swear that for me its little things like I describe above.

I could have written this exact same thing (although no doubt far less eloquently!) It takes practice and a conscious effort but it is possible to change your outlook with nothing but willpower.

My finances are quite possibly tighter right now than they've been for a decade. Once upon a time, I would have been in pure blind panic. Right now, with the help of this site, I'm really enjoying the challenge of managing my money so that I can pay off my credit card in full before its due date and no hit the overdraft before payday. There's a bit of juggling of when things get paid for and an awful lot of budgeting and OS moneysaving going on and I'm starting to see light at the end of the tunnel but instead of letting it get me down, I'm feeling really proud of myself about how well I'm coping. And I'm looking ahead thinking if I can keep up with the budgeting and OS ways now that the cashflow crisis is passing, I can build up my savings again in no time at all. If I was in a black mood by now, the easing of the problem would probably be greeted by going out for a meal to treat myself and putting myself right back into trouble again!

sjprmc01

I actually cannot bear to be outside in the cold at the moment. I get frozen to the bone. I am working Sat-Tues ut I am off next weekend and next Mon and OH is off too, so maybe we can do something over Easter, I've NEVER managed to get Easter Sun off before and the kids want to do an Easter egg hunt (let's hope they don't have to search for them in snow) I can see reasons I SHOULD be happy I just cannot motivate myself to do anything it doesn't help that the hours I work are quite unsociable and that my travel to/from takes over 4hrs in all

And I'm fully aware my problems/the way I'm feeling is 'all in my head' and I just need to give myself a good talking to!

mishmash

I feel your pain!
I have what I call " my sky falling in days" they strike without warning, normally I feel like I'm a failure. I feel I'm a rubbish mum, rubbish at my job, my home is a mess. It just kind of creeps up and overwhelms me.
However I now recognise my early warning indicators and have strategies to manage it. My most successful is listing my reasons to be cheerful. Now there are the obvious ones, have my health, lovely healthy kids, good hubby, good friends, great family. But it's normally the random little things that make me smile inside, walking my dog, seeing the pair of robins that live in our garden.
However sometimes the storm sets in hard, I then give myself a self pity day, I lie on the settee with a comfy blanket, read a good book and lick my wounds. I'm only allowed to do this for one day, then I have to push my sky back up.
It works for me, just try and find that little thing that makes you smile inside. And hold on to the knowledge that the darkest hour is always before dawn, the sun will eventually shine again, and you will soon feel more positive again.

babyshoes

It can be really tough to pick yourself up when you're in the dumps. I find having a nice hot bubble bath often relaxes and revives me. I also have a new hobby which I am really enjoying, despite not being much good at it yet - I always come away from it on a high.

If you find you've fallen too far into the depression cycle to pull yourself up with suggestions like the ones in this thread, please don't feel you HAVE to deal with it on your own. If you think talking will help, the Samaritans are happy to listen and help you explore issues - and though they won't suggest answers or solutions, it can help just to talk things through with an impartial, non-judgemental volunteer. They are not just for people contemplating suicide, anyone in distress or despair is welcome to call. (I worked for them for a few years so I know how helpful some people find the service.)

If it's getting past being something that you can deal with by 'unloading' and discussing it informally, then please do speak to the doctor - they can prescribe both talking therapies and medicines. While antidepressants are seen as a big taboo because some people become reliant on them, they can help as a crutch for a short while to get you back to normal again. I was very against them when I got depressed again a few years ago, but a short course did help me to see just how far down I had been, and what it was like to react normally to a difficult everyday situation, and to be able to find pleasure in everyday things like meeting a cute cat in the street, seeing a pretty view in an everyday place, or even seeing child doing something funny.

stiltwalker

2 disabled kids, Ou courses for both DH and I, Family issues including aged and slightly doolaly parents - I so totally know where you are coming from!

I keep sane by always wearing matching socks, in fact the whole outfit is 'thought out' - If I pull any old cr*p out of the cupboard and put it on I feel like cr*p - so always make sure that I look respectable. Not that I am poshed up by any means, I just don't clash and look reasonable.

I also try to have a few minutes each day where no-one bothers me - it could be I disappear up to the attic room to 'sort' stuff or I nip out to Mr T for a much needed loaf of bread or a carton of milk.

I also have craft projects on the go - I may not get to them as often as I like and they may not be the most arty things ever but they are something I can sit and do that did not exist before I started them and they are 'all me' not anything to do with anyone else.

Good luck finding what is right for you. x

villagelife

I know its hard but just doing one tiny thing for yourself helps - I often wake first and sit and enjoy a cup of coffee in peace. I find I can cope with the day far better.
Also I have done easter egg hunts inside - no need to put them in garden and my children didn't like organised ones their grandparents took them once. Think it was because they got more eggs at home even if they were smaller.
Try and get fresh air I know its cold out but with layers hats, gloves and scarves you can keep warm for a short time.