What can I do to ease my depression and anxiety?

Question

I'm been treated by my doctor, but the waiting lists for most help are very long, and I want to try and help myself as best I can while I wait.
I'm just wondering what I can do to try and make myself feel a little better, right now I'm just struggling to get through each moment, and want things to ease a little bit.
Any help or advice much appreciated. Thanks

Was going to add on why I can't do all the suggestions so far, but heck, I'll try anything right now. Except maybe setting fire to things hehe.
Re: Alone time, I'm on my own for about 8 hours a day, plenty of time to think!

I can't take any other medication than what I'm prescribed, I've got to be very closely monitored on any medication as they tend to have very nasty effects

Oh, and thanks for the pub suggestion, but not a great idea seeing as I'm a recovering alcoholic :D

Answer 1

I'm so sorry you're feeling down right now. Many may think that this is something that can be "snapped" out of. True! Down days can end & we all get those. But depression is a different thing entirely.
I'm not going to say I know all about this subject because I don't. But; I do know that exercise is a great help at getting yourself feeling more able to cope. The easiest way for you to start taking this is to walk. Getting out everyday to just walk will very quickly start to make you feel a bit better about your self. Obviously the easiest solution would be to say get rid of whatever it is that's making you feel depressed, Life isn't always that simple however & often depression doesn't always have to have a reason.

The best start to any day would be to get out first thing in the morning & walk; I’m not talking hours or even miles & miles here, maybe 30 minutes to start with. Perhaps you have a local park?? It’s a known fact that walking around "Mother nature" can lower stress levels, helping us to be more at ease with things around us. It would be more beneficial to walk first thing as this starts your day in a more positive light. You will feel more able to deal with the day ahead. You could set yourself a project while out walking like seeing how many squirrels you can find, or how many roses you can spot. I know you may think this sounds a bit flippant, I certainly don’t mean it to; it’s just a thought to perhaps avert your mind & keep it busy rather than walking the streets thinking of things that could maybe bring you down even more.
Perhaps even taking up a hobby is an option for you, it's also a known fact that those of us that have a hobby in life helps us to concentrate on less of the things that cause us anxiety. I don’t know if you work out of doors but staying in doors all day with nothing up-lifting to focus on can bring me down quicker than a ton of bricks.
If it's your tendency to think negative thoughts you can "practice" at exchanging those thoughts for more positive ones. I'm not saying it will by any means be easy but it can over time be achieved.

You have taken the first step in seeing your GP. But as you are already aware waiting for help can be a long wait at times, you can get a counsellor privately, they don't all cost a mint & many charge on the basis of your income, some being a minimal charge of £5 or £10 per week.

Perhaps you could even apply to volunteer somewhere locally as helping others can often help us in that we have something or someone else to focus our mind on.

Here are a few sites that you may find helpful
http://www.learnmindpower.com/
http://www.101selfhelpsuccessmotivation.com/
http://www.healthylife.net
http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/depression/related/self_help.asp

I wish you the best of luck & praise you in that at least you are willing to help yourself. All is not lost by any means.
Good luck Sweetheart, I’m rooting for you.

Answer 2

There are many things that you can do its just finding out what works for you. Exercise is really good for depression so why not try swimming, walking, dancing, boxing, karate are all really good. Try to get some fresh air by walking outside, take your walkman and listern to the songs you love. Try hypnotheraphy, I now it sounds crazy but it worked for me. Go into the website www.hypnos.info invest in a tape with self confidence and relaxation you listen to it every day for two weeks and then anytime after you feel you need it. Try and find something you like doing for me that was learning languages but it could be anything and spend sometime doing it. Look into the mirror each morning tell yourself you are a beautiful person and can face anything life throws a you, at the end of the day write a diary on how your days gone and your feelings it does help. Know it takes time to get better and beat depression but know that your tear and fears will have a end and gain courage from that. I wish you luck and hope this has helped.

Answer 3

Depression is a drag, brings yer down, but anxiety is a spur to make things better.

The trick is when you are feeling anxious deal with the problems that are making your feel anxious (hostile neighbours etc.: it is usually other people, but it could be ghosts from the past?) or of you do not how to deal with them do something like going for a run, cycling or whatever.

Right now, it is peeing down with rain outside, I want to go to the chemists to relieve my illness (making me depressed yesterday, but the anti-biotics must have kicked in overnight) so there is nought I can do about the weather.

Depression needs a pep pill or a short term tonic to break through the cycle of despair. In England, we have this community function room called a pub, where you can walk in, get slightly inebriated and piss everybody else off with your problems.

Answer 4

Positive Thinking! For every negative thought you have, replace it with a positive. Easy? Absolutely NOT! Why? WE have had so many negative thoughts for so long, we have lost the art of replacing them with positive things. "One Day at a Time" but also "One Second at a time" is okay too. Another one I read somewhere is "I can't solve all of my problems just this moment" Don't forget to be GRATEFUL for not only what you have, but what other illnesses you don't have. Find a 12-Step program to go to. There is a lot of healing in those rooms. Alan-non is wonderful, whether you have an alcoholic in your family or not. I also was involved with a group called MENTAL HEALTH. It was started by Abram Lowe in the late 40's and early 50's. One of the things he taught about anxiety is to "spot." Think about how you feel physically when you are anxious or having an anxiety attack, anger, sadness, depression, or any uncomfortable emotion. Don't try to make it go away but recognize it being there, name it, and if you aren't ready to deal with it, put it on a shelf, or in outer space! Leave it in outer space until you are ready to deal with it in a "reasonable and healthy way." I have tried this technique, and it does work. The "spotting" phase is the most important, so you know what you are going to do with it. This group was started in Chicago, and was started by a doctor that wanted some relief for his patients with something besides medication, and something they could do with themselves and teach themselves, how to spot when these troublesome behaviors raised their ugly heads to throw them off. If you have questions, email me at: [e-mail]

Answer 5

You should go out as much as possible. I go out to the city and have a look around shops. I love going to parks and feed the squirrels, especially in Hyde Park, they are so cute. Also, if you are able to focus on reading, have a look at the title "Overcoming Depression"
it is a very good self-help book for people like you and me.
Also you watch cartoons, they always make me smile.
I know what you are going through. Wish ya all the best.

Answer 6

Too much time for introspection is definitely a bad thing at your stage. Seek healthy distractions. Exercise is good, but try to also include a social element. This is where a martial arts club would be good. Exercise both body and mind and get to hang out with some really friendly people. I know it can seem a bit intimidating, but a good club will welcome you in.

Ask your doctor for some self-help leaflets, ask if they can recommend a support group. Try to get as much help as you can.

Best regards.

Answer 7

Hi there Natyla,
Quite often being disracted and allowing yourself to open up to new things are very helpful.
My suggestion to you is to go for peaceful walks in woods or a nice park, where you are surrounded by natures beauty.
I know it sounds daft, but getting out amongst it does help. So does exercise. This takes your mind off things and allows you to focus on more positives.
Wishing you well.

Answer 8

Make lists of things that you need to do, just small things to keep you going, going shopping say, and make sure you do just one each day.
Don't forget you can't get from despair to joy in one step. If despair is at 1 and joy is at 10, just aim for a 2 and you will manage that, then its easier to get to 3. Be nice to yourself, play music you enjoy, try and dance, smile at yourself and others, go for walks, enjoy the weather, rain or shine, its beautiful! Feel the wind on your face, listen for the rustling of leaves.
Good for you for wanting to help yourself, its all too easy to look for others to do that for us, I think just that attitude says you'll be okay. Good luck

Answer 9

years go i was in the same boat and a friend suggested ST JOHNS WORT u get it in tescos asda any chemist near the vitamins they are a non addictive herbal anti depressant u take 1 a day but dont expect results over night usually takes bout6 wks b4u c any improvement try them i reccomend them highly xx

Answer 10

I did find self-help books good. Louise L. Hay and barbara de angelis are great, but they do go on about god. you just have to ignore that and take the advice given. Read them at least twice to get any true effect, that is if you can concentrate long enough.
go back to your dr's and badger him- they can see you in one of many ways; c.p.n's, psychiatrist's, etc.
HAPPY STARS AND SUNSHINE!
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