CWD Daily

May 10, 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

Nature calms anxiety.

HERE is a live webcam of the Hawaii humpback whale sanctuary at Maui Sands. It's migration season so you may see some whales, but at any rate the view is amazing.

HERE is a highlight reel from 2012 – so if you don't see any whales live you can still witness their majesty.

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

May 9, 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.

Sometimes friends with mental health issues can provide the best referrals. If you have a safe relationship with a trusted friend, ask them if they have a suggestion regarding therapists or programs.

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com

May 8, 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

Do you resist going out or being with people? Try to socialize, at least a little!

If necessary, if anonymity feels essential, then do something with strangers. Look for events at the library, or a paint night, or even a movie. Get out among people.

In the time of COVID there are still ways to be around people and absorb the energy of socializing. You can social distance easily at a park, an outdoor shopping plaza, an outdoor movie or concert, a skate park or any other open-air venue.

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com

May 7, 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

Depression and poverty are fast friends. Depression can actually mean poverty, as in “the Great Depression”.

“Being in debt, broke, and unemployed can lead to depression, but the converse is also true: depression can precipitate financial meltdown...

“Holding down a job while you are in the throes of the symptoms of major depression can be very difficult for some people – although there are people who find functioning at work far easier than functioning at home. Job loss or unemployment is not uncommon in those with depression.”

This article presents realistic advice about “Depression and Money Issues”.

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com

May 6, 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

Exercise? Right.

“Even on the days when I feel mentally well enough to exercise, there’s no guarantee that working out is going to boost my mood. Of course, there is research that shows a correlation between exercising and reduced depressive symptoms for some people with depression – but that doesn't mean it's a clinically proven cure. Aside from that, being told that it will make me happier by people who don’t understand the constraints of a mental health issue is as ill-informed as it is annoying.

“I go through days when working out simply isn’t in reach. I’m too fatigued and feeling too hopeless to do so much as open a curtain. Feelings of lethargy are common in people with mood disorders, and exercising when you’re feeling that low-energy can be as close to impossible as it gets. Asking us to transcend the symptoms of our illness and do something that isn’t currently within our reach is a patronizing strategy.”

– Beth McColl

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com

May 5, 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

Exercise – hit the gym, hike, bike, walk, jog, swim, play tennis or ultimate Frisbee!

Nothing lifts the mood like endorphins released through exercise!

Exercise may also take your mind off present problems.

And a change of scene and situation can break you out of a tape loop of negative thinking.

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com

May 4, 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

“ADD and depression frequently coexist...

“This is not hard to understand when one considers the typical life experience of someone with ADD. Since childhood, the person with ADD has felt a sense of chronic frustration and failure.” (Edward M. Hallowell, John J. Ratey)

Sound familiar?

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com

May 3, 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

It seems like a silly question, but after not feeling much of anything for a really long time, how do you recognize true emotion? How do you know when you're getting better?

Look at yourself – maybe as you walk past a store window or in a photo on your phone. Do you have life in your face and stance? Do you notice a positive change?

It's one sign you may be starting to feel better.

If your affect or appearance still seems depressed, keep working on it. You can do this!

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com

May 2, 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. Ask your doctor about TMS.

“Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of depression. TMS is typically used when other depression treatments haven't been effective.

“This treatment for depression involves delivering repetitive magnetic pulses, so it's called repetitive TMS or rTMS.

“...It's thought to activate regions of the brain that have decreased activity in depression.

“Though the biology of why rTMS works isn't completely understood, the stimulation appears to impact how the brain is working, which in turn seems to ease depression symptoms and improve mood.”

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com