Positive Steps to Take When You are Stressed and Depressed

Lisa,

I swim every morning. That gives me a positive start. When I'm especially in pain and feeling really vulnerable mentally/spiritually, I write poetry, sometimes about the pain and other times about how lucky I really am.

For me depression is a waste of precious energy.

Strengthening hugs,

Maris

You know what is really sad though? You try as hard as possible to ward off the effects of depression and it still "burns through" the meds, the exercise, the therapies.

I walk my dog every morning and that helps get me up and going. Sometimes I really wish she would sleep in or not want to go for as long a walk, but it's for the best that she doesn't. I also knit, which has been a real life saver for me.

It's been quite the year and I realized I've been fighting everything (every step of the way) in my head and denying everything with my body. Then getting horribly depressed when I can't just snap out of it and feel better.  In the last month, I am trying to focus on the day, hour, moment instead of letting my mind get boggled in the fear of the unknown from all of this. That is helping me right now.  Stopped running all the events over and over in my head for an answer and just letting what IS be.  My dad taught us to every problem there is a solution. I think I took that wrong in this situation.  I don't knwo that the fix can happen the way I want it.  But that doesn't mean there's no answer to the puzzle.  It's just not the one I thought.

It's helping a bit with the acceptance of where I am now and putting the grief of loss of self I've been overwhelmed to the side.  It's a breath of relief to stop stuggling with what i can't control and moving forward with what i can.  

Now my next thing is reinvention of who i am.  So funny I've been telling everyone i want to take up knitting for months now!!  But..  I have no idea how to do it tho!! knit one pearl two??have to look online for some instructions.  i know its out there.

p.s. and I LOVE my little doggie too.  they are the best med.