May 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

Just breathe.

HERE is a phenomenal Ted Talk. It's long, but it's worth watching the entire thing.

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 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

“It's all right,
Everything will work out fine...”

Traveling Wilburys – End of the Line music video

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 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

When we're depressed, we look for something to make that feeling go away. For many of us, eating is the go-to solution.

While eating is a way to “stuff” your feelings, literally, it's also a short-term fix and a vicious cycle.

Still, there are things you can binge on for some comfort with minimal guilt. It's best to make them yourself to control the amount of fat, salt and artificial ingredients.

Pasta prima vera
Broccoli Alfredo
Thai red curry with vegetables
Vegetarian chili
Baked veggie or potato chips
Pretzels
Homemade oatmeal cookies
Chocolate fondue fruit
Baked peaches with low-fat vanilla ice cream

delish has an article with 51 Delicious Dessert Recipes That Won’t Derail Your Diet!

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 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.

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 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.

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 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”.

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 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

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 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.

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