April 30, 2021

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

Sometimes when you're depressed you act on impulses, which can create the vicious cycle in your life of depression, poverty, and being overweight. You're depressed so you spend money you shouldn't on a whim. Or eat. And eat. And eat.

When considering any sizable purchase make it your habit to research it, wait until the fever to own it has passed, and wait until you can afford it.

Still, you may find yourself with things you don't need or even want.

Impulsiveness is something to watch out for if you're depressed.

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  

April 29,2021

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

“Anhedonia is the inability to feel pleasure. It's a common symptom of depression as well as other mental health disorders.

“Most people understand what pleasure feels like. They expect certain things in life to make them happy. Maybe you enjoy riding your bike, listening to the sounds of the ocean, or holding someone's hand. But some people lose the ability to feel joy. The things that once made them content are no longer fun or enjoyable. That's anhedonia.

“There are two main types of anhedonia:

“Social anhedonia. You don’t want to spend time with other people.

“Physical anhedonia. You don’t enjoy physical sensations. A hug leaves you feeling empty rather than nurtured. Your favorite foods taste bland. Even sex can lose its appeal.

“Anhedonia makes relationships, including those with friends and family members, a struggle. With the reward of enjoyment gone, it's hard to get motivated to spend time with others. You might turn down invitations and skip events like concerts, parties, and even one-on-one get-togethers because you no longer believe there's any benefit in taking part.”

– WebMD

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  

April 28, 2021

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

Instead of a “To Do” list make a “Today I...” list.

Today I:

Got up.
Had a decent breakfast.
Read the paper.
Went to work.
Had a healthy lunch.
Got gas.
Talked to a friend on Facebook
Did laundry.
Surfed the Internet.
Played games.

You get the idea. Write it all down and congratulate yourself on how much you accomplished. It could be a long list!

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   

April 27, 2021

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

Strawberries are full of antioxidants, making them delicious depression fighters.

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  

April 26, 2021

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

Getting enough sleep is essential to treating and managing depression. Unfortunately, sleep disruption is a symptom of depression. According to WebMD, “one of the common signs of depression is insomnia or inability to sleep.”

Can you say “Catch-22”?

In order to get enough sleep, try these techniques.

Get off the computer by 11:00 pm.
Make the bedroom as dark as possible, including covering the alarm clock and the phone.
Learn and do deep breathing exercises.
Meditate.
Listen to relaxing music, relaxation meditations, or nature sounds.

HERE are sounds of bird song and flowing water to get you started.

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  

April 25, 2021

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.

“The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25.”

Trevor Lifeline – The only national 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention lifeline for LGBTQ young people under 25, available at 1-866-488-7386.

TrevorChat – A free, confidential, secure instant messaging service for LGBTQ youth that provides live help from trained volunteer counselors, open daily.

TrevorText – A free, confidential, secure service in which LGBTQ young people can text a trained Trevor counselor for support and crisis intervention, available daily by texting START to 678-678.

IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO ALL THREE IS LINKED HERE.

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  

April 24, 2021

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

HERE is a great article with 26 ideas to shift your life, many of which are appropriate for fighting depression. And winning!

A few: unplug for an entire week (seriously?!?), declutter, make a budget and stick to it, invite new people into your life, tell your story, learn to walk away.

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  

April 23, 2021

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

Just for today, try to focus on things outside of yourself. Focus on the task at hand or on a loved one's needs.

Get out of your head and out of your own way. Shift your focus.

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  

April 22, 2021

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

When you feel that nothing you can do is enough and that YOU are not enough, remember that the amazing Karen Carpenter believed she was not enough, too.

She believed she was fat, and ugly, and a failure. She doubted herself so much that she literally starved herself to death. This amazingly talented woman allowed self-doubt to be her mantra.

Karen Carpenter had so much beauty and talent and grace – and so do you. Believe there is value to your life and that you are irreplaceable. Take care of yourself! Get help if you need it.

Eating disorders are real and dangerous. THIS summary from the Mayo Clinic is informative.

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