depression

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Getting out of the cloud

Sometimes life is overwhelming. Many years ago I was very depressed and unable to keep going in a positive way. It was so hard to cope. I felt I was in everybody's way, that I was making their lives miserable. I was so wrong. Here are some simple things you can do to help you cope that a qualified councelor taught me. I hope some of these will help you or someone you know.
Also, sometimes a change in diet, or medication prescribed by a medical professional can help.

1) Take time alone everyday. Every single day-- no matter what, take 15-20 minutes alone. Take this time to regroup. Do something YOU want to do, for you! Have someone help with the kids. Make it possible!

2) Read your scriptures every day. Chose about 5 verses you really like and commit them to memory. Write them on cards and then read them over and over till you have them memorized. Recite one when you feel you can't cope. Or memorize a fave hymn.

3) Say NO to people! One of my problems was not being able to say NO to people. Honestly, the few times that I have, blew up into my face with full force. I lost friends, I had bad things said about me that came back to me. However, this counselor made me view it as a 'SO WHAT??!" situation. Who cares, say no anyhow if you can't OR don't want to do it. That was very important. Even if I just don't want to do something, then I gave myself permission to say NO!

4) Call up someone -maybe from Church- and just go do something with them perhaps once a week. Get off the internet, shut off the virtual friends, and make some real ones again.

5) Ask for help when you need it.

6) Get more sleep. And take - 20 minute power naps if you need them.

7) PRAY! actually get down, humbly, on your knees and speak with your Father in Heaven. Pour out your heart to him, ask Him for ways to look at things, new ways to cope, new strengths.

8) Focus on my strengths and not on what I am not accomplishing.

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Bev-isms:
9)
Verbalize thanks for everything you can think of. Write them down in a 'Gratitude Journal' for future reference. Get on your knees, even if you don't feel like it, and thank your Heavenly Father for life, for a roof, for family, for not having a headache, for warm clothes, for sunshine-- for whatever you can think of. AND make an effort to thank the people around you. If someone holds a door open for you, thank them; if your child hugs you, thank them and hug them back; well, you get the picture. BE GRATEFUL.

10) President Gordon B. Hinckley gave some perfect advice for all of us:

1. Be grateful.

2. Be smart.

3. Be clean.

4. Be true.

5. Be humble.

6. Be prayerful.

I hope this helps someone, as this is my intent for this page.

"Because of Christ there is hope smiling brightly before you, and you need not worry too much about sickness, death, poverty, or other afflictions. The Lord will take care of you. Your responsibility is to keep the commandments, feast upon the words of Christ, and stay in the path to your heavenly home." Julie B. Beck, "There Is Hope Smiling Brightly before Us", Ensign, May 2003, 103"

:-) Bev