Quick Fixes Only: What to do to pick yourself up when u are down?

[princesa]

Therapy and medication will work in the long term for most but I ask this question for myself and for others on here that may also be down in the dumps with anxiety/depression etc...

If I didn't have children I'm sure my list would be longer as I would be able to take long walks or take the subway to Central Park and stay for hours etc....but, as it is, I must wait for them to go to bed before attempting some remedy for a quick healing of the spirits.

What do you suggest. Short and sweet is fine. Thanks.

[Chrs]

:popcorn: - Subscribing, if anyone has any tips...

[Philosophickle]

1) Read: picking up a good story always cheers me up, even if it is by escapist means.

2) Play with my daughter: I can't stay mad when she's rolling on the ground giggling.

3) Exercise: I know you can't leave the house, but you can find stuff to do in the house. It's a quick way to release some tasty chemicals into your brain.

[KingsGambit]

I go outside, and this doesn't even necessarily mean exercising, but I find my walls can be very confining and even a brief change in scenery can make a big difference. Admittedly, this is hardly a long term solution, but the thread does say "quick fixes".

I wonder if our reluctance to go out in the cold, especially when depressed, is a major factor for seasonal affective disorders, something about which I will freely admit I know little.

[mossrose]

Dark chocolate. Maybe with almonds.

[Alcoth]

Draw or write.

Art and storytelling are a release for me.

[KingsGambit]

Another major release of mine is playing chess. A couple of years ago, I was going through the worst depression of my life (borderline suicidal), and I went to a nearby city to play in an urban chess club one night, which gave me the first chance to genuinely smile in awhile.

[Cow Poke]

1) Dark chocolate (maybe with almonds)
2) Shoot something

Seriously, Chrs181818 and I were talking about this today... I've had a number of people come to me as their pastor, concerned about the "downs"... YEARS ago, I had heard somebody say that anything that changes the focus from "me" to "others" helps a lot, so I have suggested things like volunteering in a hospital, animal shelter, soup kitchen... one lady started volunteering in a children's ward of a cancer hospital, and it CHANGED her LIFE!!!

Realizing that a lot of people can't "get out", one lady said she started sending anonymous "thank you" cards to people in the Church for stuff they did, and it made her feel better. My mom, who suffered depression for a few years (after having 9 kids including ME, how could this be? :shrug:) started a prayer ministry, and began spending time praying for people. She would say "I have time to watch TV, why don't I have time to pray".

Finally... I only suffered a major "down" one time in my life, when my right hand was injured and I (at the time) thought that I was going to lose most of my fingers, and POSSIBLY my whole right hand. My career path was "police" and "military", and, being right handed, that would put a very serious damper on my prospects. Lying in bed in the hospital one night, hand bandaged as big as a football, agonizing over my poor helpless condition, I noticed a plaque next to the clock on the wall....

"I once complained I had no shoes, then I met a man who had no feet"

I began to cry. a GOOD cry. downright cathartic! And then my whole outlook changed.

I cannot tell you how that impacted me! No matter how "down" i get, there is ALWAYS somebody "worse off" than me.

[Manwë Súlimo]

I listen to "ES Posthumus" (YouTube them if you haven't heard of 'em), play video games, and feed my Inner Nerd by visiting Tolkien forums.

[NeilUnreal]

Do a small chore I've been putting off. The lift comes from a combination of the distraction and the relief at finally getting it done.

-Neil

[mossrose]

Huggle the cat.

[mossrose]

Sing a hymn of praise to God.

[shadowmaster]

chocolate ice cream

and

http://www.amazon.com/How-Stop-Worrying-Start-Living/dp/0671035975/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1255471900&sr=1-2

Both have worked for the Shadowmaster

[Cow Poke]

When our girls were little (3 and 7) we were very "broke" - not much money and really struggling. So we found things to do that were fun but didn't cost much. One of our favorites was to move the living room furniture (such as it was) out of the way, and use sheets and blankets and "whatever" to make "tents" in the living room. We turned off all the lights and used flashlights, cooked some s'mores* on the gas stove**, sang stupid kid songs (not songs about stupid kids) popped some popcorn and just had a great time "campin' out" in the living room. No bugs, dirt, skeeters... told spooky stories...

We would get the girls to gigglin' and tell them they could stay up "all night". (they usually conked out by 9:30)

I had forgotten all about this!

*notice that "chocolate" is a recurring theme in this thread!
**the "real" gas stove in the kitchen, NOT a Coleman thing that might suffocate you indoors

[Michelle]

I clean something or iron clothes. :shrug: It works for me.

[Manwë Súlimo]

I clean something or iron clothes. :shrug: It works for me.

Feel sad, Michelle? 'cus I have some clothes that need....never mind.

[shadowmaster]

I clean something or iron clothes. :shrug: It works for me.

http://www.maniacworld.com/woman-know-your-limits.html

:serenade::flowers:

[Manwë Súlimo]

http://www.maniacworld.com/woman-know-your-limits.html

:serenade::flowers:

For linking to one of my favorite Internet videos, you earn 100 Cool Points.

You're now at -99999999999999999900 Cool Points

[Cow Poke]

http://www.maniacworld.com/woman-know-your-limits.html

:serenade::flowers:

I'm thinking i might not show this to wife 1.0

[shadowmaster]

nor this one

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/402371/women_dont_drive/

[Cow Poke]

nor this one

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/402371/women_dont_drive/

Yes, nor that one.
Especially since she's taking her latest Driver Education Course because of her most recent speeding ticket. :shrug:

[princesa]

thanks for the great tips everyone, keep them coming, i wish i could print this in a neat format

[Eeset-Shadowgrl]

Help someone.

[dougiedav]

Perform an act of kindness. This releases chemicals to your brain that lift your spirits - plus you life someone else's sprits too.

[shadowmaster]

Kiss a frog.

Don't let anyone see you doing it.

[gharfish]

Cue up some good music on the stereo and sit back...like the Maxell audiotape man (you needn't have it at high volume).


>

[princesa]

yell at my boss and tell HIM to get over himself!!!!!

[shadowmaster]

Give him chocolate ice cream.

If he is frog, kiss him.

[Pilgrim]

A finger or two of fine single malt scotch and a pipe with quality tobacco in it.

[themuzicman]

Depends on what's got me down.

Play a video game. (Escape and accomplish something.)

Read a book.

Pray.

Ice cream works, sometimes.

[shadowmaster]

Depends on what's got me down.

Play a video game. (Escape and accomplish something.)

Read a book.

Pray.

Ice cream works, sometimes.

Only if chocolate.

Plain vanilla can cause even greater depression.

[Pilgrim]

I like the ice cream suggestion. Vanilla or Chocolate. Or even neopolitan. No fancy mixes except for peanut butter cup or cookie dough though.

[shadowmaster]

Shame on you.
If Pricessa goes into a severe vanilla ice cream depression, it is all your fault.

[Vivian]

Hello Everyone!

I saw that someone gave the remedy of singing a praise song. I would like to emphasis this suggestion by pointing out that this is what many of the Psalms are for! The enemies that are being sung about are the true enemies which Paul describes as the dominions and principalities of evil in the heavenly places. These beings or presences or energies or powers work to make us negative - depressed, sad, angry, jealous, fearful, etc, and some of the Psalms were written as remedies to these ailments or attacking.

For example Psalm 30:

1 I will exalt you, O LORD,
for you lifted me out of the depths
and did not let my enemies gloat over me.

2 O LORD my God, I called to you for help
and you healed me.
3 O LORD, you brought me up from the grave ;
you spared me from going down into the pit.
4 Sing to the LORD, you saints of his;
praise his holy name.
5 For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may remain for a night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.
6 When I felt secure, I said,
"I will never be shaken."
7 O LORD, when you favored me,
you made my mountain stand firm;
but when you hid your face,
I was dismayed.
8 To you, O LORD, I called;
to the Lord I cried for mercy:
9 "What gain is there in my destruction,
in my going down into the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it proclaim your faithfulness?
10 Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me;
O LORD, be my help."
11 You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, 12 that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.

I especially like the Psalms set to music and keep a collection around, on my computer, ipod, in my car, etc. And have many songs memorized, to sing in just these moments.

Doing such elevates one out of the depths or dumps! And if we doing often enough, we will also find that our dreams are elevated, we may even awake in the morning singing praises to God!

This is indeed working towards making every thought captive to Christ!

Shalom!

Viv

[RumTumTugger]

music
reading a good book
dark chocolate
cuddle my cats
have used all of these.

[princesa]

thanks everyone,

also, putting a warm to hot wet towel on your head while you meditate really adds to the calming effect.

I wonder if any Christians here practice meditating on just their breathing or something not related to scripture (?) and more related to Buddhist principles

[Vivian]

thanks everyone,

also, putting a warm to hot wet towel on your head while you meditate really adds to the calming effect.

I wonder if any Christians here practice meditating on just their breathing or something not related to scripture (?) and more related to Buddhist principles

Hello Princesa!

I meditate and consider such a mandate of scripture...

Be still and know that I am God.

Take every thought captive to Christ.

Renewing of the Mind.

Etc.

It is the solution. The psalms are actually meditations.

Shalom.

Viv

[Teluog]

-Psalms
-cry (get it out of you)
-prayer
-remind myself of the resurrection that awaits me in the future
-remind myself that Christ went through worse
-a beer or two sometimes helps

[Conductor42]

Therapy and medication will work in the long term for most but I ask this question for myself and for others on here that may also be down in the dumps with anxiety/depression etc...

I could go for therapy as one way of long term help, but I have to very seriously disagree with medication as one except in the rarest of cases. Medication is not a solution, it simply masks the symptoms. It is a great *short-term* solution until you can get to the root of *why* you're having the problems you experience and/or figure out the solution, but it is NOT a long-term solution.

[princesa]

I could go for therapy as one way of long term help, but I have to very seriously disagree with medication as one except in the rarest of cases. Medication is not a solution, it simply masks the symptoms. It is a great *short-term* solution until you can get to the root of *why* you're having the problems you experience and/or figure out the solution, but it is NOT a long-term solution.


I used to feel this way as well until I learned there were classifications of depression and for the clinicalyl depressed that is due to chemical imbalances I've heard medications are necessary for long term effects as opposed to circumstantial depression related more to a sudden death of a loved one or job loss or anything that will depress someone because of an event. What are your thoughts on that? Thank you.

[shadowmaster]

I used to feel this way as well until I learned there were classifications of depression and for the clinicalyl depressed that is due to chemical imbalances I've heard medications are necessary for long term effects as opposed to circumstantial depression related more to a sudden death of a loved one or job loss or anything that will depress someone because of an event. What are your thoughts on that? Thank you.

I had a close friend who had that problem.
If he stayed on his medication, he was fine.
if he stopped, he went off the deep end.
It took a long time for him to realize that the meds were a necessary part of his life.

[Brown Cat]

"I once complained I had no shoes, then I met a man who had no feet"


Humorist Dave Barry finished the statement, "so I took his shoes.":teeth:

But what I often do when I'm down is remind myself that these dark moods will pass. Then I will clean something or pick up after myself and maybe give someone a phone call. An ice cream sandwich from my freezer doesn't hurt either. Not anything real profound but I find sometimes little things help a lot.

[Manwë Súlimo]

I had a close friend who had that problem.
If he stayed on his medication, he was fine.
if he stopped, he went off the deep end.
It took a long time for him to realize that the meds were a necessary part of his life.

And by "close friend", :shadowloser means himself.

Looks like he's been off his meds again :no:

[shadowmaster]

Eru, Eru. who will take care of you when I am gone? Michelle wporries a lot about you and rightfully so. Some gold digging doofa will abuse you for certain.

.

[Manwë Súlimo]

There won't be much gold to dig, old man.

[shadowmaster]

doofas are patient,

[Vivian]

I used to feel this way as well until I learned there were classifications of depression and for the clinicalyl depressed that is due to chemical imbalances I've heard medications are necessary for long term effects as opposed to circumstantial depression related more to a sudden death of a loved one or job loss or anything that will depress someone because of an event. What are your thoughts on that? Thank you.

Hi princesa -

I agree that there are some of us who have such malfunctioning, whether physical or emotional, that we need long-term correction.

Sometimes a person is never going to be able to gain full control of their legs and be able walk, so we have to make adjustments, just like some people are never going to be able to gain full control of their emotions, or emotional body, and so we have to make adjustments.

It is better for these to take medications their whole life, just like it is better for those who cannot walk to have wheelchairs.

Sometimes there will be no healing in this life. That is just the way it is, and so we do what we can to alleviate suffering.

But if there is a chance for healing, a chance for Grace to enter in and to heal, whether physical or emotional, then we ought to pursue it with passion and faith - using things like wheel chairs and medications as interim tools.

Shalom!

Viv

[stig69]

Laugh, preferably at yourself... and feel the good air filling your lungs...

[princesa]

look at the fail blog pics, hilarious

[Tobias Reiper]

I know this is an old thread, but I'm hoping this can still be of some use.

Do something that completely occupies your mind for a while. Any hobby you have that doesn't allow you to think about anything else will work.

Do something childish. I'm not ashamed to admit that I'll go out and blow bubbles. It was one of my favorite activities as a child and, while it's not my favorite anymore, it still has a calming effect.

Figure out your comfort foods then have that for dinner. You'd be surprised what a burger, a mixture of fries and onion rings, and a chocolate milkshake will do. Might be different foods for you, though.

Do something destructive. Not self-destructive or anything that impacts someone else, but tearing something apart that you don't need anymore can be very therapeutic. If you do it for the reasons I do (I supplement my unemployment with scrap metal, which sometimes has to be broken down to fit in my truck) you can even make some money off of it.

[One Bad Pig]

Listen to death metal at high volume. Guar-an-teed to drive whatever it is you're depressed about clean out of your head. :hehe:

[Teluog]

Listen to death metal at high volume. Guar-an-teed to drive whatever it is you're depressed about clean out of your head. :hehe:

I listened to my first Slipknot song the other day. It made me feel like beating someone up.

[Cow Poke]

An Irish jig!

[Moksha]

A polka?

[princesa]

yell at your boss, tell him he's a condescending dunce and hope for the best

[Teluog]

i hear extacy is a quick fix

...i also hear you feel like committing suicide twice as the buzz dies out

[princesa]

i hear extacy is a quick fix

...i also hear you feel like committing suicide twice as the buzz dies out

wow, this wasn't helpful

[Teluog]

wow, this wasn't helpful

Ah, so you tried it out?

















Sorry :ahem: I just like trying to cheer people up by being cheesy :teeth:

[Yep!]

Therapy and medication will work in the long term for most but I ask this question for myself and for others on here that may also be down in the dumps with anxiety/depression etc...

If I didn't have children I'm sure my list would be longer as I would be able to take long walks or take the subway to Central Park and stay for hours etc....but, as it is, I must wait for them to go to bed before attempting some remedy for a quick healing of the spirits.

What do you suggest. Short and sweet is fine. Thanks.Ok, so I didn't go through the rest of the posts, I simply read this and thought that I would make a comment as this was an area I took interest in for a while in my education.

Serotonin is implicated in depression and anxiety. One method of increasing serotonin production is by being decisive. Making decisions will help with depression and anxiety. Don't answer questions with equivocation, "I don't care", "whatever you want", etc. Even make deliberate decisions for yourself, I've been wanting to do something that I have not been doing, do it. Be more decisive at work. The bigger, and/or more novel, the decision, the larger increase in serotonin. All the same, don't underestimate the value and impact of a large number of small decisions that will inform you that you are in control of yourself.

Also, control plays a large part in serotonin production (control is actually an aspect of the decision making advice ;) ). If you are married or living with someone, speak with them about the issue, explain that control plays a role in serotonin production and that if you could make a number of decisions for a while and/or take the lead in a number of the activities (be the one in charge) for a while it would help with the depression you are feeling. At work, take the lead, if you are capable of the task, volunteer to head a project or ask for added responsibility.

As far as these go, success is important. You need to be fairly successful in your decisions and control. Don't bite off more than you can chew.

Recognize your own self-worth. Being in control in relation to others may have something to do with a viewing of oneself as being of value. Write a list of how you are of value to others. If you have difficulty with this, as depression and anxiety often make such difficult, write a list of things you can do and do them (woot! Self-worth and choice leading to a control of your own value, a trifecta!) Perform service for others, serving others builds friendship and love, which lead to greater self-worth. Love your neighbor! Another thing, go to Church. Religions usually inform a person of their self-worth, unless, of course, your religion focuses on guilt and Man's degradation and lowliness. Repent of your sins, focus on being that good person that you can be, recognize God's love for you and recognize the value that God sees in you. Particularly if you are some form of Christian, remember that you are of so much value that God himself gave his life for you, you are worth the perfect divine sacrifice! Also, pray, tell God how grateful you are for his love and care, tell God how thankful you are for the value that he sees in you, avoid speaking negatively in your prayer, focus on the positive, ask for help overcoming your feelings of depression and anxiety, ask him to increase your portion of the holy spirit to help you fight off these feelings. God will answer. He will help you. Ask those that you feel can do it, to offer blessings to help you. Have faith and believe!

I hope this helps,

Love and support always.

[princesa]

Ok, so I didn't go through the rest of the posts, I simply read this and thought that I would make a comment as this was an area I took interest in for a while in my education.

Serotonin is implicated in depression and anxiety. One method of increasing serotonin production is by being decisive. Making decisions will help with depression and anxiety. Don't answer questions with equivocation, "I don't care", "whatever you want", etc. Even make deliberate decisions for yourself, I've been wanting to do something that I have not been doing, do it. Be more decisive at work. The bigger, and/or more novel, the decision, the larger increase in serotonin. All the same, don't underestimate the value and impact of a large number of small decisions that will inform you that you are in control of yourself.

Also, control plays a large part in serotonin production (control is actually an aspect of the decision making advice ;) ). If you are married or living with someone, speak with them about the issue, explain that control plays a role in serotonin production and that if you could make a number of decisions for a while and/or take the lead in a number of the activities (be the one in charge) for a while it would help with the depression you are feeling. At work, take the lead, if you are capable of the task, volunteer to head a project or ask for added responsibility.

As far as these go, success is important. You need to be fairly successful in your decisions and control. Don't bite off more than you can chew.

Recognize your own self-worth. Being in control in relation to others may have something to do with a viewing of oneself as being of value. Write a list of how you are of value to others. If you have difficulty with this, as depression and anxiety often make such difficult, write a list of things you can do and do them (woot! Self-worth and choice leading to a control of your own value, a trifecta!) Perform service for others, serving others builds friendship and love, which lead to greater self-worth. Love your neighbor! Another thing, go to Church. Religions usually inform a person of their self-worth, unless, of course, your religion focuses on guilt and Man's degradation and lowliness. Repent of your sins, focus on being that good person that you can be, recognize God's love for you and recognize the value that God sees in you. Particularly if you are some form of Christian, remember that you are of so much value that God himself gave his life for you, you are worth the perfect divine sacrifice! Also, pray, tell God how grateful you are for his love and care, tell God how thankful you are for the value that he sees in you, avoid speaking negatively in your prayer, focus on the positive, ask for help overcoming your feelings of depression and anxiety, ask him to increase your portion of the holy spirit to help you fight off these feelings. God will answer. He will help you. Ask those that you feel can do it, to offer blessings to help you. Have faith and believe!

I hope this helps,

Love and support always.

fantastic! Thank you for the great advice and especially the new insight on decisiveness increasing serotonin.

[Yep!]

fantastic! Thank you for the great advice and especially the new insight on decisiveness increasing serotonin.

You're welcome! I hope my suggestions help, I know they do in my own life. Remember, everyone feels down in some way, it isn't abnormal. How we handle these feelings is up to us, and we can feel better, even in the face of adversity. It just takes work on our part. Be a force of action and not simply a reaction!

[princesa]

You're welcome! I hope my suggestions help, I know they do in my own life. Remember, everyone feels down in some way, it isn't abnormal. How we handle these feelings is up to us, and we can feel better, even in the face of adversity. It just takes work on our part. Be a force of action and not simply a reaction!

yes. sometimes i want to physically attack my depression. i wish it were a thing. Most times I purposefully act happy just to fight it but that does not work and the actual 'feeling' of depression worsens.

[Yep!]

yes. sometimes i want to physically attack my depression. i wish it were a thing. Most times I purposefully act happy just to fight it but that does not work and the actual 'feeling' of depression worsens.
Yes, I have felt that way before. My experience and study leads me to believe that depression is typically the result of either a) a sense of lack of control of one's self or b) a deep dissatisfaction with one's state of affairs (which is usually a sense of lack of control of one's environment in some way.) Control your environment and yourself to the extent you can and determine how you can be content with the things outside your control. The Serenity prayer holds some of the greatest wisdom I have come across:


God,

give me grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed,
courage to change the things which should be changed,
and the Wisdom to distinguish the one from the other.

Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
Taking, as Jesus did,
This sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it,
Trusting that You will make all things right,
If I surrender to Your will,
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with You forever in the next.

Amen.

The difficulty is the "[accepting] the things that cannot be changed."

Good luck!!!