Hi, monochromatic. For initial question, I'm not very good at using coping skills with depression (I tend to do a bit better hauling out the ol' toolbelt for anxiety), but one thing that's a go-to for me is watching a funny show or movie. I may well not actually laugh, but at least it's a harmless distraction.

For the second one.... not sure, as that isn't how my ride goes. But possibly similar is when I'm trying to keep myself balanced and from being sucked in to reacting to other people's chaos is to do something that holds my attention and keeps me doing something. Like... painting or working on some project. Nothing stressful, just again, something to occupy the mind.

(nbrtitton, that is a very unusual strategy. Prednisone's quite notorious for being problematic for people with psych issues. A wildcard anyway. My BF was prescribed it for a physical thing, and it really messed him big time.)