October 11, 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.

You may be exhausted and think that's why you're feeling down.

But when you are depressed, you're possibly not the best person to judge why you're depressed.

Seek help from a qualified professional if you're feeling particularly stressed or shaky.

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  

October 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

THIS five-step exercise can be very helpful during periods of anxiety or panic by helping to ground you in the present when your mind is bouncing around between various anxious thoughts.

Before starting this exercise, pay attention to your breathing. Slow, deep, long breaths can help you maintain a sense of calm or help you return to a calmer state. Once you find your breath, go through the following steps to help ground yourself:

5: Acknowledge FIVE things you see around you.

4: Acknowledge FOUR things you can touch around you.

3: Acknowledge THREE things you hear.

2: Acknowledge TWO things you can smell.

1: Acknowledge ONE thing you can taste.

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  

October 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

There are some songs that lift you up instantaneously. Make a mix tape of your favorites.

Petula Clark – Downtown
This is a fantastically cheesy video – sure to make you smile.

Bruno Mars – Uptown Funk

Three Dog Night – Shambala

Here's a whole playlist: 20 Happy Songs to Play When You Just Want to Feel Good

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  

October 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

Consider coffee and depression.

Numerous studies have been done, but they contradict each other. Some say caffeine is a great anti-depressant, while others say it's a placebo and others say it sends you crashing after the lift.

Split the difference. Limit your caffeine to 1 – 2 cups/servings a day. That's coffee, tea, chocolate and most sodas. When in doubt, moderation is usually the best way to go!

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  

October 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

What does minimum basic income have to do with depression? It turns out, a lot! Poverty sucks. (By the way, THIS VIDEO on the link between poverty and depression is from a U.S. mid-term election year [2018] which is why he's talking about voting.)

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  

October 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

“Standing naked under running warm water can be extremely healing and can help to clear away not just germs but also stagnant energy.

“Shower Meditation #1 – As you soap yourself, repeat the following mantra – “I cleanse myself so I may feel light, peaceful and at ease.” Keep repeating this mantra as you scrub your body all over. As you rinse off the soap, imagine all of the negative energy or energy that is no longer yours to keep going down the drain.

“Next, take your hand and make a flicking motion around the entire outside of your body, cleansing away any final lingering energy.

“Stand under the water one more time, close your eyes and visualize the water forming a protective golden white light all around your body. See the white light in your mind’s eye and take three deep breaths before opening your eyes.”

Click HERE for 3 shower meditations.

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  

October 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

“Symptoms of depression and weight management issues are linked, and the relationship is a two-way street. In fact, a study done in the Netherlands found that obesity increases the risk for depression in initially non-depressed people by 55 percent, and depression increases the risk for obesity in initially normal-weight people by 58 percent.”

HERE are some helpful tips to try to manage weight gain and weight loss in depression:

Examine the relationship between your depression symptoms and food.
Take it slow.
Turn the TV off and get moving.
Ask your doctor if your medications are interfering with your weight-management efforts.
Consult with a registered dietitian.

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  

October 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

Get help: College Resources

Active Minds:

“This national mental health nonprofit has chapters on college campuses throughout the country that empower students to speak openly about their challenges and seek appropriate support...

“Active Minds is powered by more than 550 chapters. Our chapters are located at high schools and colleges nationwide and also internationally...

“Active Minds is saving lives. Active minds is a change maker.”

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  

October 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

“Gerbera daisies are bright, cheerful, friendly flowers that bring a smile to your day and a warm welcome to guests...

“Gerbera daisies have an irresistible charm. Symbolic of innocence, purity, and cheerfulness, a handful of gerbera daisies creates an instant centerpiece or bouquet!...

“A few stems of gerbera daisies in rich reds, hot pinks, vibrant oranges, or a riot of bright colors radiate positive energy. A bouquet of soft creams or blushes whispers innocence. A single bloom on a nightstand or side table defines simple pleasures.”

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