Saturday, September 17, 2011

Someone you know depressed?

The best way out of a depression is through the front door! What does that mean? It means GET UP! Go for a walk, run, bike ride, go to the gym, do something to get your endorphin's going! If you sit around, watching TV, napping, eating, etc, you are just going further and further down a slippery slope.

On a personal note, I was out of a regular job for about two and a half years. It almost destroyed me and my marriage. Not because I was out of work, but because men need to work, and without it we feel like we are just floating by, not in control, slipping further away from reality. It's in our nature to be self sufficient and provide for our families. If we are not working, we start getting depressed and that happens really, REALLY FAST! Usually within only a few weeks and it often happens so fast you don't even realize it until its too late. 

Now what if you are already slipping and sliding in your depression, and have gone to the shrink to get meds? Well anti-depressants won't cure you. They just numb you up so you have a harder time recovering. So get off the drugs, get off your ass, and suck it up buttercup. Life is hard, but we all have hard times. Chances are you are not going through the worst time in your life, it just feels that way right now. 

Another thing you need to do is find someone who you can talk to about how your feeling, what you are going through. Your spouse should be the first person you talk to so they know whats going on. Then find a friend to talk to regularly. Don't hide in your depression, you won't be able to climb out!

Have you talked to God recently? Probably not... get God. He can help... A LOT! Pray to God like you are talking to a good friend. He listens to everything you say. Just talk to Him. If you have a bible, start reading it...just start at the beginning, you may not find the key to your depression, but it will certainly give you enough to think about to keep your brain moving.

Out of a job, and having trouble finding one? 
  • Go volunteer doing something you can get into.
  • Apply for ANYTHING, even if its not what you really want to do
  • Doing anything is better than doing nothing.
Sitting on the couch, watching TV, playing video games, napping?
  • Get up! 
  • Go for a run, jog, bike ride, take the dog for a walk
  • JUST DO SOMETHING!!!
OK, now to conclude, if you are at your computer reading this, get off your ass and go do something! I am going to heed my own advice...time to take the wife & son to the gym, then off to breakfast!