Depression Understood Forums

Hi all

I have felt a bit down for a while, spending a lot of time in bed and just felt exhausted. I cant really find the energy to go out. My friend has recommended me to have some sort of routine, and just go outside for 30 minutes or something every day at a certain time. I don't really feel it will make a difference. Did anyone from here do this? Did it help? I have also started to keep a diary, even though I don't think it will change anything - everything is just the same.

Thanks

Hi,
Sounds like good advice. I know it works. Keeping the body moving throughout the day is essential for the brain. I spend a lot of time on my computer ... but since getting up and doing a few chores here and there, I have been feeling a little better. Also as hard as it is to do, I have been making a little effort or only 10 minutes of exercise when I get up or shortly after a quick session on the computer in the mornings.

I have been suffering depression for a life time ... and the worst times are when I stop moving and think too much. Sleeping and laying around only makes it worse.

Even if you only mange to walk around the block ... that helps ... then upgrade by drinking a bit more water and trying to stay awake instead of sleeping ... mix things up a bit ... in a different order so that you keep your mind active on things that do not trigger you.

No need to break a leg ... just walk/move ... beat the procrastination by doing chores a little bit ... wash up half the dishes, then go do somthing else then come back to them type of thing or what ever it is that makes you Sigh ... the clothes, the food shopping ... walk at night or early morning if you want to avoid people, try and smile even when you don't feel like it, hold your head up even when you just want to look at the ground ... just little bit by little bit.

Its all about trying to avoid a negative mind set. Like me even replying to you and not knowing what to really say ... helps me by trying to reach out ... sometimes sharing something with others helps.

I was feeling gloomy the other day at the local Tip, thinking about the guy beside me and how his car looked so much better than my crappy truck ... but I snapped out of it and said to the guy, "you want a hand with the lounge mate?" ... straight away, his face kind of lit up and I felt good about offering to help ... it was out of my comfort zone ... but I attribute that uncharacteristic gesture, to the routine I have been trying very hard to do the last FEW DAYS ...

All I changed was doing my best to stay awake and not lay down during the day ... get up early when I wake up (if not too zoned out) have a cuppa, log in on my computer...do some exercise after that still early in morning ... go between my computer and half do chores then back again.

That's about it with maybe a little sun. It has helped me helps.

I hope your able to at least try something out and see how it goes.

Good luck either way.
Dave

Hi Silence85. It seems like Search gave you some good advice. Hang in there.

hollyann

I assure you Silence85, that the advice I have given you is one that I have taken action to do. There is nothing right or wrong about the things we read or see, except what they mean to us individually.

It takes "great" effort in moving one step, when feeling so down. Never question your intent because the fact that you have posted, shows your looking towards the light.

It takes a HUGE effort in starting to roll. The longer we take and more we give in - to procrastination (which is depressions biggest assassin) ... the harder we make it and deeper we sink!

Depression if left to long will also lead to many other mental break downs. Believe me, moving forward is the only way. If I stop and start thinking negatively ... spirals begin.

Go with your heart ... as I am sure you know whats right. I failed before my 10 minute mark ... thinking on that word "seems" ... tick tick ... "seems" ... tick tick ... but I still did what I had to do ... in my routine ... I did not seem to do it ... I did it. My exercise now done and here I sit.

So once again ... even thinking towards the light when critically down is an action step. DO is the word ... think is such terms and just do. Don't worry about TIME ... time does not exist when so depressed ... 5 minutes is like 5 years and it only gets worse if we do nothing.

Which is why it's so commonly said ... that we must do something!
No such things as seems to be; it either is or is not. Even at our lowest point, we still persist in second guessing ... tick tick tick ... how do we switch it off. Then suddenly one day ... nothing ... no feeling ... just a void ... which once one can go from sorry to seeing ... and or simply Being! I have grown to like this place ... it much more quiet and where I can think. I wrote a little about it in the art section - My Mind, The Leaf:

I know this with all my heart, its the only reason I am still breathing! Sometimes we have to reach those Lows in order to see that we exist. That's when we can discern between all the chatter and static ... when all the noise fades, the pain numbs ... In some respect its more about Accepting where we have come to ... no longer resisting, pushing or pulling ...

Please understand ... that this sadness that lingers, need not be our enemy ... take this time to look inside yourself and just BE ... to simply breath ... give up expectations of everything ... no judging, obligations or accounts ... let it all go and just embrace what remains.

Eventually at this point, one step becomes as good as ten! Every little that you do from now on in ... sets to spark genuine intent. Its not easy writing this stuff ... so away with easier said than done. When we be honest whether thinking, talking, writing or doing ... it all requires effort.

Developing a good mind set. I almost lost it this morning, but got back on my horse. I have been doing this for far too long, yet the more I question it not, the easier I am able to move on.

Keep moving ... it IS the only way.

And in the words of someone, who once reached out to me:

Peace Love & light.
Dave. ({})