What do you do when you are feeling blue?

[garyo]

Today's economy is causing a lot of stress for the kids I see as a high school Guidance Counselor. Many of their fathers no longer have work since construction has come to a halt and there are no other jobs available. For the seniors, college has now disappeared as a possibility due to $$. Naturally this stress comes into school and many of the adults (teachers, etc.) are in similar circumstances. I am blessed that we have very sweet horses that serve as my counselor and allow me to hug them and cry if needed to dstress and a husband who listens. However, many of the kids and adults seem to have no release. We typically advise exercise for endorphine release as well as trying to find something to focus on that makes them feel happy and hopeful. What do you when life feels hopeless?

 

[nootka]

I talk to friends, get a hug from them, spend time with my little ones, go for a walk, read something, just sit and look at the river or the ocean...?

Sometimes I sort through things and do some light cleaning, things like dusting the corners, cleaning cobwebs or weeding, something menial that keeps my hands busy while I think about the "bummers" and soon enough while I was working, things got done and eventually things don't look so bad.

Whatever I can do to pass the time, but the best thing of all is to talk with someone I care about that cares about me, and let them know how I'm feeling. Even if they say nothing in return, a hug is good, just their company, or just a sympathetic ear.

I wish I had better advice....

Liz

 

[Shari]

In my hopeless moment... thought I would not be able to walk again.. I started painting and drawing big time. I had no pain or worries went I focused on my Art.

Gardening is also a good one..indoors or out. Taking walks, playing with the animals of course. Also recommend to have them help Elders in nursing homes,, that have no family to call their own. Caring for another in need I find really helps. Or volunteering at a food bank... someone always has it worse off than you and it is an eye opener to help at a Food bank.

There are so many things people can do. I know... been there and done that many times.....

 

[shadowsmystictopaz]

Well when i am reaally sad i tend to go for the not so healthy things like junk food. I can eat alot when im upset or sad so i tend to feel like im bloated. i think that family and friends are always a great way to get rid of your sadnes they are always there when you need them most.

 

[Barbie]

I just try to stay busy and put in phone calls to my friends. My husband left a week ago today for Tennessee and a new job (he was in real estate here) leaving me here at home to sell our home (have been trying forever). God only knows when we'll see each other again. There's been a lot of stress here this week and will continue to be while he gets trained in up there and I get trained down here to do everything that needs to be done. Thank God I have my horses - I can't stay sad very long when my weanling wants attention - and heaven forbid she gets attention and everyone else doesn't. Times are tough, but we have to suck it up and be strong.

Barbie

'

 

[backwoodsnanny]

I was feeling rather sorry for my self as we approached winter with little money and lots of expenses and I wondered how we would get through when today my daughter gave me and my granddaughter a birthday party and I looked around the campfire tonight and I thanked god for so many blessings in my life. Good friends and a loving family what more could anyone want or need. i just know that whatever winter brings we will be OK because we have so many around us who love us and care. There are those with less than we have and those with more and I just know through faith that whatever we are handed we will be OK Its not something I can explain but just to know I am so blessed lets me know that no matter how stressed I am feeling that we will make it through because we are loved.

 

[Leeana]

I normally read or watch some of my fave episodes of some of my fave shows i have on dvd. There is always something that needs to be done around the barn too.

I really like to drive, i love to travel or just something simple like going to rent a move or going to walmart just to be alone in the car for a bit, just me and the radio...its nice. I just like driving when its just me, the radio with some good music and the highway...

 

[Fanch]

I go for a nice long walk with my headphones on. The walking relaxes me, and I love music, it can relex whatever mood I feel, and can set my mind straight

 

[SampleMM]

If I'm feeling down, I usually will call friends. I have one close friend that will have me in stitches within miniutes. She's a lot like Oprah and has very good advice. If this doesn't work than I go to the gym for a workout on the treadmill. By the time I'm sweating, I'm usually feeling back to normal. Also, I would visit with my late father-in-law who lived alone in a big house and was always so gracious and thankful to have company. These little trips always reminded me that reaching out to others is why we are here and make all of our own troubles go away.

 

[Sonya]

I talk to my husband.....he is a wonderful man....I will also eat junkfood as someone else mentioned!

 

[Jill]

I get blue sometimes, but no often.

However, one thing that always helps me feel centered (other than horse time) is to count my blessings. Hopefully we all have things in our life to be thankful for and reflecting on those things always helps me feel good.

Another thing for those who have dogs... our dogs always make me feel happy, to hug them or play with them and just see how untroubled they are and how they just show their emotions to the world. I also think how I wish a new $3 toy from Walmart, or a piece of cheese, could send me over the moon like it does my dogs

 

[Charlene]

strange as it may sound, when i get the blahs, i go to the cemetery and i talk to gary. i know he isn't really there but i feel closer to him when i visit. it always helps me to pour my heart out to him, i know he hears me because i leave there feeling better.

i also count my many, many blessings and i think of the people who are not as fortunate as i am. there is always someone out there who is much worse off than i.

 

[Buckskin gal]

I think Charlene has the key in helping ourselves feel better. Doing something for someone else always lifts me up. We often have to remind ourselves that the struggle to get to the point we want to reach takes a lot of work. I think, on the average, many people have become so accustomed to life being easy for them that when something awful happens they just haven't learned how to dal with it. Over all I see this country as a spend, spend, spend place and then the material things are taken for granted. Many people have been living way beyond their means and never had the real opportunity to know how to do without the luxuries. It is the simple things in life that happy people enjoy. I think it is going to be very difficult for some people to wake up and see how good they did have it compared to what is, and what is coming. Our hobbies are always uplifting and if someone doesn't have one they could aquire one. I love quilting/sewing and my thoughts are never depressing while I quilt...think it is because I am creating something that someone else will eventually enjoy having. Yes, truly, there is always someone worse off then ourselves and we have to be thankful for not having to deal with what they have. Happiness is a choice not just sdomething that is haned to us. Mary

i also count my many, many blessings and i think of the people who are not as fortunate as i am. there is always someone out there who is much worse off than i.

 

[Marty]

I had a meltdown this week and there was no one to talk to so I took to the bed for the past couple of days. All I could manage to do was my chores barely. I usually write or do poems mostly and give them to somone that needs one. Then I finally got up and went to the cemetary to clean it up and pick up junk. I know I'll probably get arrested for this someday but I have a habit of diving in their garbage pit there and rescuing silk flower arrangements that are still usable. I cut off the good parts and remake them with my wire cutters and hot wire and some thin ribbon and put them on graves that don't have anyone. A lot of people don't have anyone left at all. There's a newborn baby girl there too that just got there. She has no name and a tiny marker. It just says "Baby Girl" I gave her flowers too. Meltdown over until something else sets me off again.

 

[Charlene]

marty, i do the same thing. not long ago, i cleaned up a grave that isn't far from gary's resting place. the funeral was several weeks ago but nobody had ever come back to remove all of the dead flowers. it made me sad to think this person seemed to be forgotten so i pitched all of the old flowers and cardboard containers, pilfered a couple of the silk flowers from gary's arrangement (i knew he wouldn't mind) and placed them near the little temporary marker. i felt better when i finished.

i'm so sorry you melted. (((hugs)))

 

[whitney]

Didn't learn this until I had a barn full of sick horses, when it became OVERWHELMING I simply asked GOD to carry me for awhile and HE did. HE was GLAD I FINALLY asked.

HE also showed me how to appreciate the little things, you would be surprised HOW MANY little things there are to be THANKFUL for. They outnumber the bad things.

And my favorite saying is "Get off it and get on with it."

 

[Miniv]

Whitney, I like your saying A LOT!

I find that I write more -- usually in my journal when I'm blue or stressed.

 

[Candice]

Talking always helps. I talk to God a lot. He has blessed me with a wonderful husband and family and terrific friends so I don't stay down long. My boxer Maggie is also a major mood lifter. She's never in a bad mood. I also like to write things out. It Helps me see to things more clearly, and from different perspectives.