Solution for "The Blues".....

I ride my harley long and hard

It depends on why I've got them.

Sometimes it's as simple as turning my head upside down and shaking all the 'You MUST do....s' out of it and just taking some time to do what I want to do instead of what I should do.

Sometimes I talk to a friend.

Most times it helps a lot to go out and mess around with something garden related, it's hard to be depressed when I have my hands in the dirt.

But occasionally, I figure those blues are sent to me for a reason, so I let them in with the stipulation that I'm going to look at them loooong and hard until I figure out what is REALLY bothering me, because sometimes things just surface, and they need to be thought out and resolved.

Chocolate never hurts, either.

hollym

__________________
"Be Kind...for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle"

Philo of Alexandria

I've dealt with the "blues" ... ranging from just mild "down in the dumps" to several episodes of fairly serious clinical depression ... much of my adult life. I have had bad reactions to all of the antidepressants the doctors have tried, so have learned to cope.

For me, light makes a difference. Days of overcast, gloomy weather affects me so I've learned that energy-saving or not, I need to keep my house well lit, use higher wattage than absolutely necessary and "daylight" flourescents where I can.

Physical exercise helps, but being "ranch raised" I've never been able to exercise just for the exercise ... I have to be doing something constructive and for me it's better if it involves animals. During a couple of my most severe depressions, the only thing that would get me out was having to feed horses twice a day.

I've also learned not to "beat up" on myself during depressive periods when I can't seem to get much done other than the absolute necessities. I've found there are some things I can do and some things I simply can't do. One trick I've used to get some things accomplished and give me a sense of accomplishment ... and satisfaction that I've managed to get something done ... is to have a written list of things I can't quite face, broken down into very small steps ... and do just ONE of those things a day.

I take a walk, a long, leisurely walk. Smell the air, look at the flora and fauna and connect with nature. I don't mean "doing chores" outside either. Just reconnect. Sometimes spending time playing with my dog really helps me live in the now and I get reconnected that way.

Stay away from alcohol when you are blue. It does not help.

pat

PS another great thing is do something CREATIVE!