Quick Fix-It

Depressed?  Out of Sorts? 
Has your Get-up-and-go got up and went?
Yeah, I know the feeling.

I have been in the midst of fighting this for a while now.  Sometimes I'm more successful than others.  We all have those kinds of days.  Saturday was the worst day for me in a long, long time.  And while I don't have answers for everyone, I can only share what helps me.  Not wanting to let another day pass me by without getting anything accomplished, I took little steps.  The one thing I knew needed to be done was my laundry.  After vacation, its easy to get behind in that, especially when you come home on a Monday and have to work the entire week.  So I set that as a very small goal:  2 loads of laundry; and I got it done.  Having one small accomplishment makes it easier to take the next step.

The one thing that's really clear when you do any kind of research about depression is that most of us forget to take care of ourselves.  We find ourselves so overwhelmed with life and the details of getting through a day, or taking care of others, that we forget that we are important too. 

One of the things I read about mild depression is that eating is a part of it.  Well, I did my share;  with no regard to calories, I let myself indulge in whatever struck my fancy when it came to foods.  I also read that flax seed can help, because of the essential oils in it that helps the brain.  I  might consider looking at that when I shop.

What's my antidote for today?  A shower.  The long kind where you take extra pains with our care.  I shaved, then used a puffyscrub with my fav smelly soap and lathered up all over, head to toe.  Just the smell of something familiar adds a few feel-good vibes.  Washing your hair can feel good too.  Take a few extra minutes to massage your scalp.  Run the water just a little hotter than usual.  When you're done and toweled off, slather on some lotion.  Your skin will thank you.  And its funny, your brain knows you're doing things to take care of YOU and that goes a long way.  But don't stop there.  Fix your hair.  Blow it dry.  Curl it if you're so inclined.  and DO NOT climb into that favorite sweatpants/tshirt outfit.  Put on real clothes. 

I slid into my jeans, one of my new shirts (that isn't navy, and part of my daily "uniform" for work); I even went so far as to put on shoes and socks.  Doing something that's part of your daily routine when you "have to" can change your mindset about getting up and about, off the bed, out of your chair. 

Yes, I know this is no cure for depression. 
It won't make your troubles disappear. 
But maybe it will help them seem a little more manageable. 

And don't forget to smile, even when you don't feel like it.

PS:  Later, I'll probably write in my journal, because that is my personal 'go-to' solution to help make sense of nonsensical thoughts.