What's everyone's favorite ways to handle the big sads? Time in nature, seeing friends, a good cry?
I listen to depressing music and wallow in my sorrow.
Yessss, leaning in is the best way in my opinion
cooking, going for a nice walk, treating myself to ice cream or some other delectable. I actually just finished baking some cookies and gave them out to some of my favorite neighbors.
However, what really helps me manage my emotion is putting them in perspective. Realizing you are sad and trying to take a step back and analyzing why you are feeling this way if you can has helped handle not just depression, but anxiety, anger, happiness, and the whole gambit of emotions we all have. Realizing it is okay to feel any emotion for any given time, but acting on that emotion is when you might be in the wrong is a powerful self-perspective.
A body in motion stays in motion.
I try to socialize more, get more sun, exercise more, get my sleep schedule right, etc
Try to wake up everyday with a goal/purpose. Make a list. Consult my doctors/psychiatrist
Of course this is hard when everything in your body is telling you to lay in bed and do nothing. I know it's cliche but you gotta start small. Clean your room, go for a walk, etc.
I find it helps to visualize my feelings in an almost metaphorical sense. Depression is like the rust that covers the gears of my body and mind. Moving and thinking become painful at first, but the more you keep everything flowing the more those wheels will want to turn again.
Hot chocolate
@lesmis33 I really like what you said about perspective. It helps me to know that in some phases of my plan for the future there will be periods where I don't have many of the things that make me happy in the moment. But the plan is to get me to a better place overall. So, knowing that the sadness is likely short term makes it easier to take.
And for the ladies, if you are not familiar with this music, it can be quite cathartic...
I’ve been in that place, and it’s not fun. One thing I found for myself was that signing up to go out and volunteer was surprisingly powerful in motivating me to get out of bed in the mornings. I strongly urge you give it a try. Sign up to cook or serve a holiday dinner, or hand out food at a soup kitchen or shelter. It’s so much harder for your mind to convince you that your life has no meaning or purpose when you see yourself directly impact and improve the lives of others.
@1_teddybear I really struggled in putting what I meant into words, but I am glad it resonated with you Perspective was the greatest strength I gained from therapy as I used to have really intense emotions especially excitement. Instead of feeling and acting on a surge of emotion, I simply have an internal dialogue and it keeps me grounded. I still squeal though lol.
@RadiantHugs I also enjoy volunteering and helping the less fortunate. So many people just need a brief respite from the burdens of the every day.
@lesmis33 Dang man, now I have this image of a squealling snow monkey!
Honestly, that is probably one of the more accurate depictions of me that I have heard recently.
I'm lucky enough to live near a Canal which is lovely to walk by, that often makes things better. And I love my visits to St James' Park when I can get to London. They can't fix the root of the problems (mainly isolation/loneliness) but they help for a good long while.
Exercise, watch something funny on TV/internet, call friends.
Seeing/feeling things around me and focusing outward. looking at art elevates my mood and inspires me. And music - lyrics that remind me I’m not alone in how I’m feeling.
@carrieanne kewl, what did you think of Janis Ian?
A few suggestions would be to dive into some self-care, get out in nature, or even take a moment to acknowledge your feelings and sit with it for a while, then push forward. Btw everything you said in your post is valid. Do all of those things if you need to, but most importantly move on from it. You got this! ☺️
Wait... There's hacks to deal with it? We don't have to just stay depressed? 🫠
Joking aside, I have been battling depression a lot lately. I usually force myself to get to the gym, and/or listen to one of my favorite podcasts.
@PixiePassions it can be a time when you get to discover who your real friends are. 🫂
First listening (and singing along) to music that matches my mood and lets the feelings go through, then slowly start shifting to less sad, maybe a bit angry or angsty music, then shift to more positive empowering songs, which usually are at a higher tempo.
Other things are playing video games, watching comedies (both movies and shows), listening to self-help audiobooks, trying to get some cuddles, finding someone with a dog or other pet to play with, praying, meditating, saying positive self affirmations, talking to someone, breathing, watching some of my favorite animes, going for a walk (outside or treadmill if the weather isn't nice), and exercising.
Also making a list of accomplishments or even writing down what simple tasks I completed in the day helps me.
Writing in my journal
I started to tag you @1_teddybear about Janis Ian. So I had to listen again to the whole album. I say ‘again’ because it’s been awhile. I was already 25 when it came out but that doesn’t change a thing about being 17. Something we never forget. Then I listened to Early Morning Rain by PPM. I started out happy but then I’ve been sad all day lol. Served me right for reading a depression thread.
@carrieanne Ooops, I am very sorry. I had no intention of bringing anyone down. I found that even though I am not a 17 year old female, the music and pathos was so powerful that it made me feel as you said, I am not alone in my pain. But of course, that is only useful if you're already depressed.
For me, treatment and prevention is the same… a long bike ride on county roads or gravel trails or a long hike in a state park. If that is not possible for any reason, then a long walk around my neighborhood or an hour of weight lifting in my basement is the next best thing.
The combination of exercise and nature always does the trick for me to keep me feeling good emotionally or get me back to normal if something has happened that has upset me.
