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Coping Skills

Classic shit is drink or sleep. Neither fixes a damn thing.

Riding helps but I have to push myself out the door.

Edit to add: Exercise helps too. Get those endorphins going one way or another.
 
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sleep is always good. I usually roll up like a burrito and lie in bed til sleep comes.
 
Eat.....then i get depressed on my weight gain/health, so i eat more.

I would sleep, but depression can make it hard to sleep. I miss my cat, she helped a lot
 
For real though, Lots of self talk on bad days. Do the next thing. Use a kind voice to tell myself things are ok. Step back, look at yourself as a thing that needs care and then do what you can to give that to yourself. It still sucks but, not as bad. Usually convincing myself to make myself a meal I like helps. even when I don't want to cook.
 
Akira-R said:
One thing that does help is accomplishing tasks. Sweeping the yard, vacuuming the house, hanging up a painting etc.
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Absolutely. Sometimes I "save" the "low work and high reward" tasks for days I need a win. Outsized rewards for minimal effort are wonderful things.
 
I found hard exercise works great.

Some old methods that worked great when I was younger.
1. Sparring in karate always cleared my head.
2. trad climbing where your focus is required because your life depends on it.
3. Fast riding in the twisties, again total focus because your life depends on it.
 
I sometimes go out at night and look at the stars and the infinity of space to give my problems perspective.
My dad used to say "A hundred years from now, who'll know the difference". He also said "They can kill you, but the can't eat you". That one always makes me smile.

Hang in there.
 
Cleaning helps
Taking the dogs out to their favorite places
Talking to friends
 
I replace depressive thoughts with good thoughts. Think of all the good things you’ve done and accomplished. And cut yourself some slack for all the rest. No one is perfect.

We are all trying to do good things in our lives. To reach certain goals. To love others. And hopefully be loved. Sometimes it doesn’t work. And sometimes it does. Just keep your mind on your goals and go with the flow.
 
And if your mind keeps going back to depressive thoughts, keep replacing them with good thoughts. If you do this consistently, your mind/brain will eventually rewire itself and it will become almost automatic.

Our minds are always on. We can’t avoid it. Even during sleep. All we can do is keep trying.
 
I just imagine myself ice skating on a rainbow, then all my troubles melt away like cotton candy in a warm summer rain. :green
 
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Look forward to this one...

Circling back when I'm able
 
Making sure to take care of my self! I work from home so it’s making sure I stay on top of my hygiene and get dressed in actual clothes instead of rotting in pajamas.

Walks with sun in my face. Cycling.

This all assumes you have the energy to even start these activities.

I say this as someone who doesn’t suffer from deep or chronic depression so take my advice with a grain of salt.
 
ST Guy said:
I replace depressive thoughts with good thoughts. Think of all the good things you’ve done and accomplished. And cut yourself some slack for all the rest. No one is perfect.

We are all trying to do good things in our lives. To reach certain goals. To love others. And hopefully be loved. Sometimes it doesn’t work. And sometimes it does. Just keep your mind on your goals and go with the flow.
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"Think of all the good things you’ve done and accomplished."
Serious question - How is this validated
By ones self, family, co-workers or employer?

This morning I was having breakfast at a restaurant by myself when I read a posting that really threw me off. At the moment I wish the person was having breakfast with me because I would have asked why they felt that way and just listened.
 
I don't have a good answer. I suffer from depression and especially the whole seasonal thing.

I endure. I can think all the good shit I want but when I'm in it, I'm in it. Thinking about fluffy bunnies ain't gonna fix it.

I try to recognize where I am at. And I endure. Because I know eventually I will get past it.

Exercise does help. But for me, it has to involve the outdoors. Mtn biking has become my thing. It truly does change my attitude, even if it's for just a short time. Until I do the next ride, I endure.

Knowing someone is there helps too. If you need to talk, I am here.
 
Hopefully you have a good person or people nearby to lean on. Everyone has good and bad days or weeks or months, it’s the people around us who can lift us up and help in time of need.

I knows it’s really hard in this digital life but all I have to give is a few minutes or hours, you are always welcome to PM me and I can see if meatspace can be accommodated!
 
Grissom said:
"Think of all the good things you’ve done and accomplished."
Serious question - How is this validated
By ones self, family, co-workers or employer?

This morning I was having breakfast at a restaurant by myself when I read a posting that really threw me off. At the moment I wish the person was having breakfast with me because I would have asked why they felt that way and just listened.
Click to expand...

I think it can only be validated by the individual person who is depressed. Though what other people say and do has value as well. In my case, not only do I have many things I can point to, but others can and have pointed them out to me as well. For instance, I have very close friends, that I know and have worked with for more than 35 years, starting up and contributing to various companies, and they have pointed these things out to me.
 
It's called comfort food for a reason.

Have an obligation and fulfill it. Got kids or a pet? Was a coach all my adult life. That responsibly to motivate others left less room for my issues.

What worked for me. Definitely a YMMV situation.
 
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