Say no to Depression

I woke up this morning feeling like depression is hovering.  One of the things I've noticed is that I often times feel like doing nothing, getting nothing accomplished, like it won't matter if I start on the pile of laundry that grows every single day, no one will see it.   And that's made me wonder if on some levels depression is a choice?  If we recognize those early feelings, can we do something to change the course of events before its a full blown "can't even get out of bed" depression?

And Google being the wonderful help it is, I found a great pdf that addresses this issue with some hints that just might help:

Start with a checklist of three things to think about.  Rather than letting your brain think about things that lead down that path, try having something as simple as a nursery rhyme to sing  or plan your next vacation or event to look forward to.  While you're doing that, also have a list of three simple chores you can do when you begin to feel this way, like dust the TVs in your house, or sweep the front walk.  While you do these simple things, remember to sing your nursery rhyme, or repeat a funny word in your mind over and over. 

It seems one of the important things to do is to NOT do the things you usually allow when depression begins to set in.  Don't crawl into bed, don't isolate yourself, don't just veg out.  If we follow old patterns we fall right into the depression cycle.  And we're trying to break it.  

I like what it had to say about laughter:  it helps break the cycle as well.  They've long said "laughter is the best medicine".  I'm sure there are articles about what brain chemicals change when you laugh, so go to a mirror, smile even if you don't feel like smiling; make funny faces at yourself, and let yourself laugh.  You won't think you feel like laughing, but its a good thing to help break the depression connection.

Feelings are felt after the fact, so your depression feelings aren't a part of your present.  Don't allow them to take over.  Look around you, focus on the things that are here now, focus on something that gives you pleasure.  Don't use depression to get out of work, use work to get out of depression.  It's so easy to fall into that mindset, and takes a bit of effort to pull yourself out of it and rethink your focus. 

Last of all, DON’T believe your depression. Your life is not really terrible, you just feel terrible. Your depression wants you to think that nothing is working. When you get busy and do something other than your depression, your depression is already weakening.

Life is meant to be enjoyed.  Don't let the past, your feelings, stop you from enjoying life! 

Get up

Get busy

Sing something silly

And laugh out loud!

(On that note, I'm crawling out of bed, laughing in the mirror and sorting my pile of laundry.  If you care to read the whole article, it can be found here . )