Necessary Medicine: Knowing How to Pamper Yourself

We depressives are not so great at taking care of ourselves. But since the disease sucks all enjoyment out of our lives, it’s extremely important to pamper ourselves from time to time. We need to try to get in touch with our deadened senses and coax them back into being. Even if you don’t think that it’s important to pamper yourself, or you feel like you don’t have the energy, give one of these suggestions a shot.

Consider getting a massage, manicure or pedicure (yes, guys too). We all need to be touched, and this is a non-sexual way that feeds that need. Spa Index and SpaFinder have listings of day spas.

This time of year, just when we’re starving for the sight of some green, flower shows bloom in many cities. Just put “flower show” into a search engine, and you’ll easily find out if there’s one near you, or you can go to GardenWeb, which has a directory with links to botanicals gardens.

Stroll among the floral and plant displays, dream of your own garden or pick up a house plant to nurture. Many areas also have botanical gardens, much of which could be inside. This is one of my favorite ways to pamper myself – you may realize how much you were starving for it.

If you can’t get to a show or botanical garden in person, here’s the next best thing:

Claude Monet’s Giverny Gardens – see the gardens that inspired the famous paintings.
Cheryl Netter’s Rose Garden
The New York Botanical Garden has beautiful pictures of their flowers and plants.

Take in a new exhibit at your local museum or rediscover some old favorites. Or, you can “virtually” visit exhibits online.

ArtMuseum.net
Virtual Tour has links to over 300 virtual tours and exhibits.
Virtual Tour of Van Gogh’s Van Goghs
The State Hermitage Museum has virtual tours of their breathtaking collection.

Prepare some healthful, tasty meals for yourself. Don’t eat them in front of the television! Savor every bite and recapture some enjoyment in eating. Skip the wine, though – no point in adding to your depression with a depressant. Here are my favorite sites and books that will whet your palate and send you toward the kitchen.

Nutritiously Gourmet
Hawthorne Lane Recipes
French Women Don’t Get Fat: The Secret of Eating for Pleasure is about exactly what it says, with some simple, delicious recipes and meals.