Depression Getaway with Wendy Love

Did you read that right? "How to do something when you can't do anything"?   Depression, I know what it is like. When you are in a low mood, not only do you not feel like doing anything, you can't do anything...at least that's what it feels like. But did you know that resting is doing something? It is!

  H-E-L-P is our keyword today. HELP for depression. Do you know what I have learned over the years of speaking about depression? Many people who struggle with mental illness resist getting help. Why? I've heard a lot of excuses. Here are just a few. "I don't want anyone to know." "I don't want to take medication, I want to be in control of my life." "If I admit I need help, that makes me weak." "I don't need help, I can do this alone."

Depression recovery strategies can only be discovered through some good detective work. And guess who the detective is - you! What does a monopoly game have to do with depression? Nothing really, but it has a lot ot do with strategy and if you want to win this battle with depression you are going to need some game strategies .

Depression recovery lifestyle changes - ouch! Changes! I know too well that just dealing with mental illness is enough change right? But what if there were some LITTLE changes that would make a BIG difference How are you coming along with our depression review? Are you learning something new? We have covered the first four important items: diagnosis, medication, therapy and research . Are you on track so far? Well, there is more to do if you really want to recover from this old depression. Like it or not you may have to make some depression recovery lifestyle changes. Try to think of it as if you were picking out a whole new wardrobe.

What does a black cow have to do with prayer? Well, let me tell you my black cow story first and then I will make the connection. My husband and I had been away in St. Jacobs, Ontario for a few days. As we enjoyed our breakfast one bright winter morning, in a wonderfully windowed dining room overlooking the St. Jacobs Farmers Market and Stockyards, as well as several empty parking lots for outlet stores, I saw a big black blob which caught my interest. As I watched it I thought I saw movement, but no, I concluded, that must just be the wind, it is probably a big black garbage bag. I continued enjoying my tea and then I saw the big black bag, walk across the road! It was a cow which had escaped from the stockyards! What unexpected fun, and a great show for me to watch during my holiday breakfast. The cow slid a bit on some of the pavement, then headed out to a road behind the hotel.

I love to draw floor plans. For me, drawing floor plans for houses is like doodling. One time my husband came home with a huge box of graph paper as a gift because he could see how much pleasure I get from this little hobby I have had since I was a teenager. The interesting thing is that I don't design big fancy houses. They are all fairly practical. But each one solves a little problem here or there. And I imagine how much better one design is compared to another. When I feel overwhelmed with my house, I design a smaller one and I imagine how much easier life would be if I had a smaller house. It is kind of my way of dreaming, my way of expressing myself and my way of having control over something, even if it is only in my imagination.

When it comes to understanding something new or complicated, I get a little confused, kind of like this baby. But if someone gives me an example, it helps. But before I give you an example of cognitive therapy, we need to agree on something:  DEPRESSION IS AN ILLNESS OF LIES Most of the thoughts we have when we are depressed, are not true. Oh I know, they seem like they are true, but they are not. Do you agree with me? Because if you do then you will find this kind of therapy useful.