June 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

If your friend or loved one seems depressed, healthline.com has great tips on How to Help a Depressed Friend:

Listen to them
Help them find support
Support them in continuing therapy
Take care of yourself
        Set boundaries
        Practice self-care
Learn about depression on your own
Offer to help with everyday tasks
Extend loose invitations
Be patient
Stay in touch

Things not to do:

Don’t take things personally
Don’t try to fix them
Don’t give advice
Don’t minimize or compare their experience
Don’t take a stance on medication

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 

June 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

According to healthline.com, if a friend or family member is experiencing depression they may:

Seem sad or tearful
Appear more pessimistic than usual or hopeless about the future
Talk about feeling guilty, empty, or worthless
Seem less interested in spending time together or communicate less frequently than they normally would
Get upset easily or be unusually irritable
Have less energy, move slowly, or seem generally listless
Have less interest in their appearance than usual or neglect basic hygiene, such as showering and brushing their teeth
Have trouble sleeping or sleep much more than usual
Care less about their usual activities and interests
Seem forgetful or have trouble concentrating or deciding on things
Eat more or less than usual
Talk about death or suicide

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 

June 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

19%, 1 in 5, adults in the United States suffer from some form mental illness. HERE is a simple, clear graphic about the prevalence of common mental illnesses, from the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

According to Blue Cross Blue Shield over 9 million people suffer Major Depressive Disorder. Who knew?

Those folks are 2 times more likely to suffer from one or more chronic diseases, 3 times more likely to suffer from a pain related disorder, and 7 times more likely to suffer from alcohol or substance use disorders.

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 

June 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

Beth in Show – How to be Happy.

Love her!

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     

June 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

The distorted thinking of depression masks clear thinking. You feel paralyzed, unable to make a decision or pick a direction to go. It makes it hard to move forward.

As the riots in Los Angeles in 1992 were winding down, a reporter asked the actor and L.A. resident Edward James Olmos what people could do to fix things, what they could do now. He replied quite profoundly: “Pick up a broom.”

“Sweep the floor” is a classic dictum across many spiritual and religious teachings, both eastern and western. It means do the task in front of you.

So, pick up a broom. Take a positive step in some direction; it doesn't really matter what direction. Do something. Pick up a broom.

Wax on, wax off.

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     

June 1, 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

With the dog days of summer upon us in the Northern Hemisphere, and heat waves in many areas of the world, don't forget to drink enough water.

One of the many effects of dehydration is a feeling of listlessness and depression. It's an easy fix for many of the things that ail you. Drink water!

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 31, 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's a Monday holiday in the United States, and for those lucky enough to be employed there may be great relief in having an extra day off this week.

Maybe your job is contributing to your depression?

Are there proactive steps you can take to change your situation – even in a tough job market with high unemployment? Skills you can acquire? Groups you can join to make contacts? Career counseling you can get?

Taking positive steps toward improving your situation can truly alter your state of mind. Think about what you can do toward creating a work life that doesn't sap the life out of you!

Take one step this week toward building a better work environment, whether at your current job or in a new situation. Baby steps!

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 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

HERE is an article on coping with depression, with some solid tips. It's a quick read, so check it out.

“The first step is to remove substances that are a major contributor to depression. Illicit drugs, like cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, hallucinogens, and others, are associated with depression...

“Illicit drugs are not the only substances that impact your depression; alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, and even caffeine can change your mood and affect your overall mental health...

“A healthier diet will lead to improved energy, motivation levels, and the possibility of decreased depression...

“Get out and exercise!...

“In the beginning, a trip to the mailbox or down the street will suffice. Many small changes lead to big results.”

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 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

Britain's National Health Service has great ADVICE on coping with social isolation in this time of pandemic.

Find out about your employment and benefit rights.
Plan practical things like getting food, medicine, household supplies, ongoing medical treatment.
Stay connected with others.
Talk about your worries.
Look after your body.
Stay on top of difficult feelings.
Do not stay glued to the news.
Carry on doing things you enjoy.
Take time to relax.
Think about your new daily routine.
Look after your sleep.
Keep your mind active.

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