June 26, 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

Wing of Madness is a phenomenal website on depression, which has a myriad of resources and sites linked to, as well. It's been up and running since 1995! Good on them!

HERE is an article on what the non-depressed ally can do for/say to the depressed individual.

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 25, 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 may be a correlation between depression and strokes in middle-aged adults. Yikes!

“The researchers suggested that depression may influence stroke risk through physiological changes resulting in vascular damage over time or through depression's effect on poor health behaviors, including smoking and physical inactivity.” (from a since un-published article on psychcentral.com)

"Depression affects quality of life, heart disease, and stroke risk," says Ralph Sacco, MD. He is chair of neurology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and the immediate past president of the American Heart Association. (WebMD article HERE)

I'm going back to bed now. No, I guess what I will do is redouble my efforts to be healthy, both physically and mentally. Yeah, that's the ticket!

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 24, 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 recent study on city planning suggested that being out in nature actually changes the brain and eases depression.

The article, linked HERE, is not very specific, frankly, and says the study was based on 90 minutes a day. So, who has 90 minutes a day to be out in nature?

Well, considering you probably spend 90 minutes a day on your computer for leisure, perhaps you do! And there are things we do, like pay bills or read the paper, that we could do outside.

Spend any time in nature, and shoot for at least once a day. It may help ease depression and will certainly improve your quality of life.

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 23, 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

16 Things I've Learned from 16 Years of Dealing with Depression (Huffington Post)
by Hannah Sentenac, Contributor, writer, journalist, vegan.

16. There's always hope.
15. I can't expect to feel good all the time.
14. Alcohol was not my friend.
13. People who haven't suffered from depression have a tough time understanding it.
12. Self-compassion is key.
11. Lots of other people are fighting similar battles.
10. There's a reason meditation has been around for thousands of years.
9. Social media can exacerbate a sense of alienation.
8. Spending too much time alone is a bad idea.
7. There is no final destination.
6. Exercise is an amazing antidepressant.
5. There's no quick fix.
4. I should always ask for help when I need it.
3. My brain can change.
2. Everyone's journey is different.
1. I can make it out.

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 22, 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

Don't avoid all carbs if you are depressed. Complex carbohydrates are necessary for health and can be mood stabilizers, as they break down slowly over time.

In general (very general), eat whole grains and high fiber foods, and skip simple sugars (like sugar, white bread, white pasta, etc.).

HERE is a plethora of information on eating to beat stress and depression from healthywomen.org.

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 21, 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.

The WHO has provided tips on dealing with the perfect storm of COVID-19, depression, and drug and alcohol disorders, linked HERE.

“If you are being treated for an alcohol or drug use disorder, be aware that the COVID-19 outbreak may lead to increased feelings of fear, anxiety and isolation that can increase the risk of relapse, substance use, disengagement from treatment or non-compliance with treatment regimens. Make sure that you continue to take medication as prescribed, particularly if you receive treatment with opioid medicines such as methadone or buprenorphine, and that you have a way of obtaining a regular supply of your medication. If you are receiving support through a psychologist or support group, find out how to continue that support during the outbreak.”

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 20, 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 makes you laugh?

With the Internet you can now find almost anything on YouTube or Netflix or Hulu. Find something sure to crack you up and have a laugh! It's great for releasing tension and easing 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 

June 19, 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 strikes at all levels of education and privilege. It's a great equalizer.

Check out THIS website that provides a platform for lawyers suffering with depression to express their struggles.

And they also have a podcast.

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 18, 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

Tired all the time? Maybe you're depressed.

Get a full physical exam including blood work and tell your doctor if you're tired all the time!

There are many common conditions that cause fatigue, such as Lyme disease, iron deficiency, narcolepsy, thyroid issues and sleep apnea, just to name a few. Most are easily treatable.

Key to solving your fatigue issues is a correct diagnosis. Blood work could rule most things out and begin to pinpoint if depression is an issue.

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