CWD Daily

December 29, 2020

CWD Daily

Tips for Coping with Depression

If you are in a suicide crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline -
1-800-273-8255.

Tip of the Day

One way to get out of your own head and change your perspective is to visit a museum – in person or virtually. Keep your mind active and explore your world.

With video presentations, gallery tours, interviews with artists and history makers, there is something for everyone, including children.

20 World Online Museums You Can Visit for Free.

The 75 Best Virtual Museum Tours Around the World [Art, History, Science, and Technology]

CWD Daily is written by Julie Aiken, a layperson whose only authority lies in 40 years of coping with depression. Nothing in the newsletter should be taken as medical advice. Please do no self-diagnose or self-prescribe. Above all, please get help if you need it.

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com

December 28, 2020

CWD Daily

Tips for Coping with Depression

If you are in a suicide crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline -
1-800-273-8255.

Tip of the Day

Colors in doctors' offices and hospitals may contribute to patient health. You can bring these color schemes into your own environment with paint and fabric.

Red raises blood temperature and stimulates circulation. Red is used to care for people with anemia, fatigue, paralysis, and exhaustion.

Blue is soothing, and symbolizes the sky and sea. It lowers the heart rate, and helps alleviate tension, stress, and problems with the immune system.

Orange gives vitality to the body and is associated with the kidneys, urinary tract, and reproductive organs.

Purple is associated with the eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. It helps with head congestion and sinuses, and is known to calm the nervous system.

Pink is a healing color. Soft, natural pink tones calm and nurture our being.

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com

December 27, 2020

CWD Daily

Tips for Coping with Depression

If you are in a suicide crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline -
1-800-273-8255.

Tip of the Day

“Vincent Van Gogh, famous painter and artist, was labeled peculiar with unstable moods most of his short life. Many people have tried to give a definitive diagnosis of his illness through reading his personal letters. It seems clear that his depressive states were also accompanied by manic episodes of enormous energy and great passion. Van Gogh committed suicide at age 37.” (Famous People and Depression)

Considered one of the greatest artists to ever live, Van Gogh's short life has inspired many artists over the years, including the producers of the BBC television series Doctor Who, who created an incredible episode called Vincent and the Doctor.

The joy and melancholy that must have been Vincent is achingly apparent in THIS scene. And the poignancy of knowing that he killed himself no matter how many people loved his work, is stunning. It's an illness, folks.

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com

December 26, 2020

CWD Daily

Tips for Coping with Depression

If you are in a suicide crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline -
1-800-273-8255.

Tip of the Day

Get help.

Reading these tips may be very helpful to you. But you know what would be even better?

Professional help.

Even if you've tried before and think nothing can help you. Try again.

Get help.

10 Signs It's Time to Get Help for Depression

Hopelessness

An inability to concentrate

Unexplained aches and pains

Apathy concerning things you used to like to do

Alcohol or drug abuse

Changes in sleep habits

Changes in appetite and eating

Irritability, agitation, and moodiness

Feelings of worthlessness and guilt

Thoughts of death, suicide, or self-harm

- healthcentral.com

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com

December 25, 2020

CWD Daily

Tips for Coping with Depression

If you are in a suicide crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline -
1-800-273-8255.

Tip of the Day... 'Tis the Season

Family may be gathering today for Christmas, and that may be a true trial for some who suffer with depression (and many who don't!).

Remember a few things to stay stable:

You only owe yourself mental health, not anyone else.

You're trying really hard and that counts for a lot.

Family may love you but they also may not understand depression.

You cannot make someone understand depression.

You are OK just as you are.

The holiday is not about explaining your depression.

This, too, shall pass.

You've got this!

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com

December 24, 2020

CWD Daily

Tips for Coping with Depression

If you are in a suicide crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline -
1-800-273-8255.

Tip of the Day... 'Tis the Season

On the 12th Day of Christmas Depression Gave to Me:

12 Fights with Loved Ones

11 Bouts of Guilt

10 Moments of Exhaustion

9 Outbursts of Anger

8 Feelings of Inadequacy

7 Overwhelming Problems

6 Resentments at Being Told the Meaning of the Season

5 Crying Jags

4 Panic Attacks

3 Overdrafts

Two Broken Toes

And the Exasperation of Decorating the Tree.

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com

December 23, 2020

CWD Daily

Tips for Coping with Depression

If you are in a suicide crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline -
1-800-273-8255.

Tip of the Day

A walk in the snow can be invigorating and almost magical. Followed with a cup of cocoa, a walk can turn a dark, gray day into pure delight, and help you beat those “winter blues”

Mental Health Effects of COVID: Nevada

"In nearly 2,300 hours of hotline conversations, COVID-19 was mentioned as a stressor during about half the calls, and depression, anxiety and social isolation was mentioned in about 80 percent of calls.

"'There will be some people who will never get over this. They’ll always have some kind of anxiety,' Reedy said.

"The good news, as she sees it, is that more people are taking mental health seriously and realizing what it's like to suffer from a mental illness.

"Many of those enlisting help from Nevada crisis call centers are first-time callers, Reedy said. People who have never battled with their mental and emotional wellbeing are struggling to cope, and others who have suffered from mild symptoms previously have conditions that are now exacerbated."

- reno gazette journal

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com

December 22, 2020

CWD Daily

Tips for Coping with Depression

If you are in a suicide crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline -
1-800-273-8255.

Tip of the Day

Sit in the sun. From healthline.com:

“Exposure to sunlight is thought to increase the brain’s release of a hormone called serotonin. Serotonin is associated with boosting mood and helping a person feel calm and focused...

“Without enough sun exposure, your serotonin levels can dip. Low levels of serotonin are associated with a higher risk of major depression with seasonal pattern (formerly known as seasonal affective disorder or SAD). This is a form of depression triggered by the changing seasons.”

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com

December 21, 2020

CWD Daily

Tips for Coping with Depression

If you are in a suicide crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline -
1-800-273-8255.

Winter Solstice

“Light is Returning
Even though this is the darkest hour
No one can hold
Back the Dawn.

“Let's keep it burning
Let's keep the light of hope alive
Make safe our journey
Through the storm.

“One Planet is turning
Circle on her path around the sun
Earth Mother is calling
Her children home.”

Tip of the Day

Winter Solstice is the turning point. We have reached the darkest point of the year, and the light is returning as the hours of daylight slowly -- almost imperceptibly at first -- begin to grow.

For those suffering from depression, this can be both a literal and a symbolic turning point. SAD, seasonal affective disorder, increases depression in many people, with darker days contributing to darker moods. And symbolically, hope is returning with the light. We can recognize that after darkness there is always sun. Always.

This year, as the wheel of the year turns once again to awakening, growth and new life, the entire world embraces the sunlight of hope in dark times. Allow the promise of the arrival of the vaccine that will protect us from the horrible scourge of COVID-19 lift your spirits. Light is returning. We will hug again.

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com