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  

October 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

One of my favorite ways to take a mental vacation is to check out webcams, and one of my favorite webcams is at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, spanning the first two weekends of October each year. There is live coverage, as well as webcams.

Due to COVID-19 the 2020 Balloon Fiesta was canceled. But 2021 is a go! You can watch it live on one of several live YouTube channels: 

Balloon Fiesta Live

Channel 4 in Albuquerque

KRQE Channel 13 in Albuquerque

It's quite uplifting!

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 1, 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

Starting your day with humor can be an outstanding boost.

Good Mythical Morning is a long-running YouTube series that millions of folks use to jump-start their day. Check it out and I think you'll understand why.

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  

September 30, 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

Make a budget and stick to it.

For 30 days. You can do anything for 30 days.

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  

September 29, 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

“Let me tell you what I wish I'd known
When I was young and dreamed of glory:
You have no control
Who lives, who dies, who tells your story.”

– Hamilton

The past is nothing more than a story we repeat to ourselves – and understanding this is an incredibly liberating notion.

Visit a narrative therapist who can help you re-frame your experiences. Or journal them out until you’re able to come to a new understanding of why things happened the way they did. You can tell your own story.

“The narrative therapist focuses upon assisting people to create stories about themselves, about their identities, that are helpful to them. This work of ‘re-authoring identity’ claims to help people identify their own values and identify the skills and knowledge they have to live these values. Through the process of identifying the history of values in people's lives, the therapist is able to co-author a new story about the person.” – wikipedia.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