The “Water Cooler” is a feature on Claycord.com where we ask you a question or provide a topic, and you talk about it.
The “Water Cooler” will be up Monday-Friday at noon!
Today’s question:
QUESTION: Many people (especially now) are suffering from depression. Do you suffer from depression? If so, what helps you cope and what advice would you give to others?
Talk about it….
Yes, Outdoor activity! 😉
I go to bed early really early! I love my Google Home because they play nature sounds as I sleep. My Sleep Number bed tells me what the quality and time I sleep restfully. I sleep the max. That helps with depression and anxiety I think. I do walk over a mile to three miles per day doing chores. Now my tendon is messed up. No more walking for exercise. The Doc says it will take 6 months in a brace. I will be fitted in January. This sucks. That does make me depressed. Then I start counting my blessings. I have a friend who recently had her leg amputated. So there are always worse things to happen to us. Happiness is a decision.
Nope. No depression here.
Life is good.
And I get lots of laughs from comments made here.
Ash, Oracle, and especially Sam, my favorite. 🙂
No, I’m not depressed, but at times I can be unhappy. I’m mostly unhappy with the way the state, and local government is handing out mandates and idiotic suggestions on how we should conduct our lives. I’m unhappy when I see businesses close their doors for good, and people losing their homes because they lost their jobs and can no longer pay the mortgage.
My advice to anybody who thinks they may be depressed is to see a doctor. If they are merely unhappy, focus on the positive and remember, no matter how bad things may seem, they will get better, and the next time you vote, vote the imbeciles that are responsible for your unhappiness out of office.
I do get depressed from time to time. Not enough to medicate. My Grandchildren keep me in check.
Simonpure~
Oh,….I still have the Grand-Critters,…does that count?,…LOL!
Yes Roz, they sure do.
If they are loved then they count…
If you are not a little depressed by now something is wrong with you.
You are absolutely correct, Ricardoh, we are not robots with no feelings and can reason that this is all wrong…
I do not believe I suffer from depression, certainly not diagnosed this way. I think there are moments of melancholy, in part due to the state of our nation, in part missing my parents, but these are moments, and then my family lifts me back up. I cannot give advice; each has their own etiology and I am not trained in this.
I suffer from mild depression and it was really affect4ing my relationship with my son. I now take a light does of an anti-depressant and it has made a notable difference in my day to day routine as well as my relationship with my son.
Not normally, as I had always found ways to improvise and adapt no matter the situation. Had taught teams of people to do just that, so they became leaders in their own right. But, it hit me pretty hard before Thanksgiving when I had to go back into Kaiser Main Hospital Minor Injury Clinic for treatment, just a tough few days overall and what was worse was the isolation of walking thru to the clinic and then it happened. I had to walk by the lobby where my husband had fallen and died from cardiac arrest and I had tried with the doctor to save him that fateful day almost four years ago. I was calm then and knew the slew of events after that just needed to stop, they didn’t. Then the pandemic came. At that moment walking by where he died, I was best I could be knowing the holidays were going to be very raw this year. So depression may not be the term, but no one need be embarrassed nor ashamed to share. These are such challenging times and whatever we all had before the pandemic even came, were likely challenging enough. Therapy, awareness and the attitude of adapting and overcoming is my approach.
Oh my gosh Bella. That’s so sad. Sorry for your loss.
Bella-
So sorry for your loss. I’ve found that time does
heal when you’ve lost a loved one. It takes time but
the pain will diminish and all the good memories of
your lives spent together will remain. I wish you all
the best.
God Bless you Bella. You’re a strong woman, hang in there.
Sorry to hear Bella, all this stranger can offer is kind sympathetic thoughts and well wishes.
Hang in there!
Bella~
Your Husband must have been a Great Guy.
My Godfather passed 40 years a ago, and my Godmother visits him at Queen of Heaven every 2 months.
Love is Forever.
You knew what to say to help others. How to prepare yourself as best you could, and WHAM! grief takes your legs out from under you. There must be a good reason it’s that way, but I don’t know what it is. I am very sorry, Bella.
Marijuana, Lots of it
Thank you Simonpure. I truly appreciate that.
You mean how do I deal with being forcibly unemployed for the past 10 months with no end in sight while also being told by countless potential employers that I am a flight risk due to them not being able to pay me as well as my union job as an audio engineer for live events? Copious amounts of marijuana and disc golf. I have been on a waiting list for counciing for 4 months with no end in sight. I cannot find a job even when searching for things that would pay me 1/3 of my pre COVID salary. Everyday is a struggle. Oh and my unemployment benefits run out the day after Christmas. I wouldn’t say I’m coping well.
I am so sorry @live events. This whole shutdown was so unnecessary. I hope and pray you can find a job very soon. Better yet, I hope and pray this fake pandemic is done with before your unemployment runs out. God Bless you.
Eh, at least you got all that free extra unemployment money ($600 a week iirc) that wage slaves who were working completely missed out on.
@ anon So I got about 65% of my salary for a few months at the cost of losing the industry I’ve spent 15 years of my life in. Any amount of money doesn’t matter when you lose your purpose in life. I invested $80,000 in bachelors of science in sound engineering and have probably made possible events you attended. I helped open the brand new chase center. Now I sit home and wait. But somehow I’m not allowed to be depressed because our government only had our backs for a few months. Get some perspective then come talk to me. Your probably just a lazy unmotivated slob jealous of people who have lost their lively good. I would give every penny back if it lent I could go back to work tomorrow.
I’m so sorry, @live events. I truly empathize. My husband is a professional musician, never had a day job, this is his life’s work. So to see it upended this past year has been heartbreaking. Things started looking up this summer with a few outdoor local gigs, but the one in Walnut Creek ended abruptly because the restaurant owner, who was doing everything right, kept getting harassed and threatened with fines. And the one and only gig he had in Pleasanton just ended this past weekend with the new lockdown. He is fortunate to have me because I have a steady job, but his prediction this past spring is coming true that even if things open up eventually, many of the venues that used to support live music will be closed for good. He shocked me recently when he said he’s feels like he is just waiting around to die. And he is a stoic man. We do still bike and enjoy the outdoors,, but after living here over 20 years (we are from New York), we are thinking of leaving the state. We have an RV and will start exploring a bit, especially since I can work remotely. We love our home and this area, but overall, the state just feels hostile to us.
Yes, just give in a let it take over nothing can change it
Depression,…No. But even as a kid, this time of year is what gets me a bit down. Think it might be the shorter daylight this time of year. I try to find things to do (and there’s a bit) to keep me busy. Christmas Cookie baking to start next week, just hope not to gain weight.
Roz, I think you’re right! You may even be experiencing something they call seasonal affective disorder these days (SAD). My mother sometimes spoke of being negatively affected by winter, way before it was even a thing. Here’s some info from the Mayo Clinic on it; https://rb.gy/posru8
Silva ~
Thank You! I will check it out.
I found this article an interesting read in late March as this nightmare was commencing…a forner Navy SEAL and a neuroscientist share 3 secrets for overcoming coronavirus stress:
https://www.fastcompany.com/90483172/im-a-former-navy-seal-and-the-way-i-deal-with-stress-is-backed-by-neuroscience-that-you-can-use
Cannabis sativa. If only everyone used it; the world would be a better place
Yes love, living in the moment is everything ❤
If we let people like our governor get to us they wil keep up with their shenanigans. Just live life as normal going about your business. This life is temporary.
I’m not depressed.
I’m outraged.
Depression is repressed anger.
This sounds stupid, I’m sure, but coffee. I’m not a regular user, and it probably doesn’t work if you’re a regular addict, but when I drink coffee – Shazam! It’s a helluva drug. Strong feelings of euphoria. Chases the blues away plenty quick.
I dont think it’s stupid. Coffee can be a pretty effective pick-me-up. It has definitely lifted my mood on occasion.
No, not stupid. It won’t touch clinical depression, but it’s a helluva way to get the day started.
Just the thought definitely keeps me humming,
https://youtu.be/lNekniIgjCk
I don’t suffer from depression, but my father has clinical depression – major episodes off and on since 1981. These bouts include psychosis/delusions (so, hospitalization occurs). The fourth episode started just before the pandemic and so he ended up in a NY hospital at the height of COVID. He was hospitalized for almost 8 weeks and thankfly, tested negative upon release. But he is still struggling now, I think because of the continued isolation. And now we are concerned because he is starting to act delusional again. I had to take family leave to go back twice since March, and both times I would help him to bed and we would always have a gratitude exercise where he would go over the good things that happened during the day. No matter what my day may be like I do this myself. Nothing is too minor to express gratitude for. I do feel that this practice has always helped me maintain equilibrium and peace. If those of you are struggling, I highly recommend starting to do this.
I give you much credit for the care yo give for your Father. Both of my parents, were bed bound for the last 8-9 months at home with hospice care, before they passed. My Sister was their main caretaker, since she lived with them, and I would go to help 3 days a week. Thankfully, they only lived 15 minutes away.
Yes I have been depressed a few times in my life. At times very fleetingly, mostly when I was younger and connected to a specific circumstance. Later 2 severe episode lasting quite awhile, first when I decided to end my 9 year old marriage that was not working (my ex was not a bad guy, but we were like the saying goes two nice people not made for each other). I did see a psychologist at that time which helped a lot, and as I made new friends, and created a new life for myself, I bounced back. Second severe depression was about 13-12 years ago. Several circumstances attributed to it, had some problems with my only child and daughter (everything is fine now) then when the 08 recession hit it hurt my insurance business very bad .I remember thinking, your life is not working when you hate to get up in the morning and look forward to go to sleep at night. As my business tanked I was forced to get a job and I started to work at Macy’s, (left after 10 months and then a returned a few years later) after working there for a few weeks all of sudden I realized I was no longer depressed, I was not deliriously happy, but I was not depressed. The discipline of work and getting out, and helping people saved me. I realize it might not work for everyone. Before that while I was still trying to do insurance, taking long walks in Benicia state park was also helpful. This year, although difficult, I didn’t see my grandson until he was almost 6 years old, and one of my very close friends since 1984 passed away, I have not been depressed, just sad at times. The virus, although it has certainly changed my social life, especially here at the Holidays, has not triggered a depression, I’m lucky it has not affected me financially, and since I’m an only child of older somewhat quiet parents, and I grew up in the country in Denmark, I got use to spend time alone from an early age
If you are feeling down, watch Monty Python’s Life of Brian. And sing along with “Always look on the bright side of life”. It will help, and best of all, no chemical refreshment needed.
I believe the whole depression thing is a bunch of crap to sell pills. Is life tough? Sure is, but suck it up, Buttercup. It gets better by working to make it better not by complaining and waiting for someone to give you an excuse and a hall pass. If you feel sad grab your bootstraps, give a strong tug and soldier on.
You have no idea of what real depression is, It is an illness that’s needs to be diagnosed and treated. It is not a fleeting feeling of unhappiness. Sometimes medication helps, I relied on talking to a medical professional at one time which helped. Other people needs both medication an a psychiatrist or similar. For those that have clinical depression it is a real disability. I do agree that some are not willing to do anything to help themselves, but that is not all by no means. If you are depressed the natural instinct is to want to get better, so you can enjoy life again.
Hanne Jeppesen. Wow. So glad to know that you have all the answers. Got those next six lotto numbers ready? No? Well then perhaps you don’t know all and are just buying into the whole pop a pill and feel better mentality.
Writing, walking, knitting, puzzles, music, baking, reading, gardening, talking with friends, and supplements all help me.
Bored more than anything not depressed. I have a brand new rowing machine, . Since I can’t go to my gym..in addition to the rower ..my treadmill, bike, elli, and some weights are my best friends right at the moment. Soon I’ll be raking leaves from the front yard.
Enjoy cooking and baking and even if I gained a couple of lbs. I don’t mind. Food makes me happy. Amazing how creative one can be when there is time.
Big difference between being bored (which I suffer from occasionally) for the most part I have enough interest to keep me entertained. When you are really depressed the activities that use to give you pleasure no longer does.
@ GM and Ming ~
Yep-Yep,…Way to Go,… 🙂
Thank you to all who replied about my husband and nothing better than wise words from you all. We will survive.