March 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

“Rumination is... a preoccupation with perceived mistakes, losses, slights, actions taken or not taken, opportunities forever lost. The feelings associated with obsessive rumination are guilt, regret, anger and envy...

“Rumination is often accompanied by harsh judgments, criticism, grudges, toward both self and others, and the overwhelming belief that if things had only been different then existing and future misery could have been avoided.”

HERE are some tips to stop rumination:

Think about the worst-case scenario... and ask 'Can I handle that?'
Let go of what you can’t control.
Look at mistakes as learning opportunities.
Schedule a worry break.
Mindfulness.
Go for a walk.
Try therapy.



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  

March 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

For a quick boost anytime, list 5 things you're proud of.

1. I survived cancer/divorce/losing a spouse (fill in your triumph)!

2. I'm a responsible employee. I show up when I'm supposed to, calling off sick only once in a while. I usually work through depression, but will take off when I have something contagious. I go above and beyond most of the time.

3. I'm generous. I don't have much, but I do give to people who have even less.

4. I am constantly learning new things and examining my point-of-view.

5. I spend a lot of time with my elderly parents and help them when they need it.

You get the idea. Give it a try!



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  

March 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

Sometimes it is so overwhelming to keep going in faith that you can build a better life.

You can. You will. But sometimes it is all so much.

So, breathe. Cry. Take a walk. Get down to work.

One day at a time, folks. It's do-able one day at a time.



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  

March 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

Get help.

There are resources many places, like school guidance counselors, mental health centers or clinics, your family doctor, church or synagogue.

So, please... Get help.


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  

March 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

Conversation with myself while getting ready for work, having gone to the grocery store earlier in the day:

“I forgot to get stockings. What a moron!”

Whoa! What?

You would never, ever use that kind of abusive language talking to any other person, nor tolerate it from someone else. This kind of internal dialogue is so destructive.

Be careful what you say to yourself.



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  

March 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

“'The texture of a depressed person’s brain functioning is that it’s operating in a depleted way,' according to Deborah Serani, Psy.D, a clinical psychologist and author of the book Living with Depression. 'This depletion leads to a variety of intrusive cognitive symptoms, such as distorted thinking, poor concentration, distractibility, indecision and forgetfulness. These cognitive symptoms impair all areas of a person’s life, from their work to their relationships.'”

Read the entire article, Strategies for Improving the Cognitive Symptoms of Depression, HERE, to get some wonderful tips and a “how-to,” but here is a summary:

Revise Distorted Thoughts.
Use Your Senses.
Take Small Steps.
Take Breaks.
Be Kind To Yourself.



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  

March 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

In a fantastic interview on Ellen comedienne Sarah Silverman cut to the chase, describing depression perfectly.

“I still have lows, you know? I'm like, I'm in a ball on my bathroom floor every once in a while. But I know now that it will pass.”

This is how we cope with depression. Click HERE to watch the segment.



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  

March 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

We know what to eat, we know to exercise, we know what NOT to eat.

So how can we DO the right things? Especially if we're depressed.

Relatively new science has shown that we actually create new neurons throughout our life and can enhance this production by doing the right things. AND creating new neurons will help combat depression, memory loss and focus issues.

It's all related, folks, and it's all influenced by what we eat and how much we move.

THIS short but fascinating and fabulous TED Talk may convince you to make a real effort, and to keep trying.



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  

March 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

There's a growing body of scientific studies linking probiotics – beneficial live bacteria – to fighting depression.

Always use probiotic supplements from an established and reputable source such as a trusted vitamin company.

To get the maximum benefit, consult your doctor or therapist for recommendations on brands.



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