One of the positives in my life is a weekly get-together with a number of men for social interaction, discussion and mutual support, often in a room behind our fire-fighters hall. One of the guys recently talked about coping with life, and I have added some things to that for today’s blog post.
The information he shared about coping with depressive feelings and promoting a good life follow here in me expanded version.
THE PHYSICAL —- 1. Sun & nature. Some sun makes us feel better, and the lack of it can really affect us, especially in the long haul when winter days are short and dreary. When stuck inside at home, sit by a window on the sunny side of the house, as the rays reaching our eyes causes the brain to release endorphins that help us feel better. —- 2. Exercise & adequate sleep. The one helps with the other, and both are major depression-coping positives. —- 3. Good diet & only the right medication —- Limit the amount of comfort food and restrict medication to what the doctor prescribes, in appropriately moderate amounts.
THE MENTAL —- 1. Regular involvement in an interest or hobby. This focuses the mind in a good way and brings many benefits. —- 2. Thanksgiving. Every cloud in life has a silver lining; there is always something to be thankful for. Some people have a specific time of day to remind themselves of this, such as early morning, before bedtime, or a brief quiet time at meals. —- 3. Self-confidence. People don’t really have “nervous breakdowns;” nerves don’t break down, but people do sometimes “lose their nerve” and start to feel no longer sharp or capable, and therefore may opt out of what had been normal activity. If this happens, remember that you still have your abilities, so choose one or two of them to still do, even if at a more limited pace for now, and thereby feel encouraged.
THE SOCIAL —- 1. Social contact. Get together with a few other people; you decide which ones. Humans are made for socialization as well as some down-times by ourselves. Even some in-person chats while walking the dog or checking the mail box can be significant for keeping one’s head above water. —- 2. Find at least one trusted friend. Such a person will allow you to get some things off your chest but not be judgmental of you, and will definitely honor these confidences; and be such a friend to someone else. —- 3. Develop a balanced outlook. No human is perfect, including yourself and the people in your life. Do acknowledge your shortcomings and mistakes, but then remember the other side: how you have learned better and have done better, many times (as have most of the other people that you know). The road to a good destiny always has ups-and-downs, twists-and-turns: that is how we reach the good at the end.
Speaking of twists, beginning with this post there will be a change in the blog. For at least the next few months, articles will come in sets of TWO, the first one published on the usual Friday morning, with the second one following the next Sunday afternoon (in my time zone). So please look for the related post this coming Sunday.
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