February 17, 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're depressed you may constantly remind yourself of everything negative you do and everything negative that happens around you. It's a lousy habit, but a persistent one.

It seems only fair, then, to acknowledge the positive things that happen, too.

Make a list.

Did you stick to your diet today? Run errands? Clean out your emails? Spend quality time with family? Do the dishes? Refill your prescriptions? Do your online banking? Take much needed time to do nothing?

Then today was a good day!

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 

February 16, 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

Quarantine to protect you and your loved ones from COVID-19 is a fact of life for many of us. For those with underlying medical conditions it could be a factor for a long time even as most of society opens up.

If you're quarantined with family, ease the isolation by having meals together at least once or twice a week. If you're kept away from family, use social media and on-line chat sites like Zoom to connect, or game sites like pogo.com to enter game rooms with friends. (HERE is a list of sites to play games with friends on Zoom.)

Take walks and talk to people you meet from a safe distance of 6 feet or more. Many events and celebrations involve drive-through get-togethers or gatherings in parks – at that safe distance.

Humans are social animals, and finding a way to stay social can prevent or ease depression.

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 

February 14, 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

“Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States, suffered from severe and debilitating bouts of depression, which were described by Carl Sandburg in his biographical analysis of his life. Lincoln once wrote in a letter to a friend, 'A tendency to melancholy…let it be observed, is a misfortune not a fault.'”

Have a great President's Day!

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 

February 13, 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

We've all heard of post-natal depression, but what about pre-natal?

The biochemical changes of pregnancy can affect mood while a woman is pregnant. (Of course!)

Nutrition, exercise and talk therapy are proven effective treatments.

Get help if you need it!

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 

February 12, 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

Indecision is a symptom of depression.

And it's not a great idea to make big decisions when you're seeing things through a negative prism.

But sometimes you have to make a decision, even a big one – even if you're depressed.

Ask for advice.

Make a list of pros and cons.

Assess the real financial cost if you make a mistake, and make sure you're able to absorb it.

And be strong. A mistake can be costly, but it can also be corrected.

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 

February 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

A very interesting study, linked HERE, suggests that just 30 minutes in nature each week lowers your risk of depression and heart disease!

The lowered risk was significant. The amount of time needed in nature was very small. And the study found a connection (not causation) between depression and heart disease.

Read the article and then follow the link to the actual report if you're so inclined.

Oh, and then get outside!

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 

February 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

One key aspect of taking care of yourself is managing COVID-19 anxiety. THIS website, from The Mood Disorders Society of Canada, has lots of tips for doing just that, including:

Avoid excessive media consumption.
Stay in touch with family and friends through social media.
Protect yourself (hand washing, social distancing).
Take time to relax (meditating, self-care, exercise).
Help others if you’re able to.
Don’t be afraid to seek help if you need it.

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 

February 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

If you believe, even God gave Herself a day off every 7 days.

You are not super-human. You're just a human who is super. And that's enough!

Take a day to not be perfect, not be cheerful, not be all about others. Take a day off.

Meditate. Walk. Catch up on your sleep.

Give yourself the day. Regularly. It's good for body and soul.

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 

February 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

Many people experience their first bout with depression as they enter adulthood – go off to college or the military, get their first job, move out of their parents' house, etc.

THIS video addresses that phenomenon, and how to “adult” with depression.

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