[Jennyanydots]

I recently bought a house and the mortgage is significantly higher than my last house so the worry of money is constantly on my mind. I drained my savings to pay the down payment. The thing is, guys, for the past two years around Nov/Dec I've had serious manic/psychosis episodes resulting in 30 day hospitalizations and I'm afraid that the stress and anxiety I'm feeling could lead to another episode this holiday season which would 1) devastate my mom and 2) I would probably lose my job since I used up all my FMLA time last year. Not eligible for FMLA until Feb 1, 2020. Just need to hold back a manic episode for 3 months! But hopefully I won't have any.

Secondly, my depression is getting worse because I moved from the city to the suburbs and I live alone. I'm looking for a roommate right now for extra $ and some company. Being really picky on my roommate search. I want to make sure I get the right person.

Pro-active steps I'm taking this weekend to try to lessen stress, anxiety and depression:
1) Went to Yoga this morning! (at 24 hour fitness so I didn't have to pay)
2) Going Hiking tomorrow and I get to spend some time with my sister
3) Clean my house to keep my mind occupied and not think about how lonely I am
4) Swipe through Bumble BFF, try to make some new friends to hang out with and expand my social life. (I do belong to meetup).
5) Try and walk my dogs today
6) Relax this evening by listening to music (no alcohol, fill my wine glass with diet cherry pepsi).

What do you guys do to help combat depression and loneliness? Hoping to pick up some tricks and tips.

[bpcyclist]

I really like your list. I think those are great activities. Good for you for writing it all down.

I just recently returned to my city after being out of town for a number of years, partly due to a really long hospitalization. Even though this is where I grew up and worked for years, I really know no-one now. I live alone as well. Not isolating is basically impossible. So, I try to be sure I have given myself something, usually something very modest and little, because I don't have any money anymore, to look forward to. So, as is common knowledge around here, I like to ride my bike. So, I schedule a ride pretty much every morning. I plan it out, find the route, review it on google maps so I know what I'm in for, and then, plug it into my riding app called Ride with gps that I carry with me in case I get lost. I check and clean the bike, to be sure it's safe. That gives me a lot to do. It's a nice distraction. Has to be done. And I get to get out of the apt. for a few hours every day. I imagine one could do that with most any hobby. Just schedule it into your day, like an appointment or something. Don't make it optional.

I also try to find at least one show per day to look forward to. It may only be an hour, but it's something. For me, I have learned that Animal Planet tends to cheer me up and shows about couples that try to kill each other--which are everywhere--do not cheer me up.

I do look fwd. to my time on PC, and that helps me, too. It's on the schedule. It helps me a lot because I do not feel as alone. And I can do it in the middle of the night, when I am often awake.

One thing I've added to what I do on the advice of people at PC is to put something bigger like going to the opera or a blazer game (our NBA team) on the schedule from time to time. These cost way more and so require a lot more planning, but they really give me something neat to look fwd. to.

I stopped reading when I got depressed a few months ago, but I am going to our awesome book store, Powell's, tomorrow to get some reading material and try to get that going again. It's a good activity for me and has helped cheer me up in the past.

And last, I don't have much money, but I do try to schedule preparing a cool meal for myself every now and then, as I like to cook. It cheers me up.

That's about it for me. It's not much, but it gets me by. Best of luck to you!!

[Jennyanydots]

Thank you, BPcyclist. Sounds like you have a plan! I'm happy to report that I walked my dogs AND took them to the dog park. House is clean. And hopefully my sister won't cancel on me tomorrow (if she does, I'll go by myself). I do feel mentally better that I was able to fill the day with activities.

It's great that you're already working on stress reduction before the holidays. I've taken some steps, but your thread reminds me that more would be better.

Congrats on your new home! I hope you find a nice person to rent a room to.

[MickeyCheeky]

It's WONDERFUL that you're doing ALL OF THIS, @Jennyanydots! Getting started in doing these things is ALWAYS the hardest part in my opinion. Please definitely keep it up! You're on the right Road and Journey! As for me, I usually try to distract myself with as many activities as possible. If I feel too tired, I just try to do something relaxing like watching movies and TV shows, reading books, reading comic books, listerning to music or playing some videogames. Anything that can help! You are doing better than me since you're engagin in physical activity which can DEFINITELY lift up your Mood and not make you feel lethargic! Still, remember to only do WHAT YOU CAN DO and if you're feeling too tired, take some time to just RELAX and do something nice for yourself, like eating an ice cream or something like that! I'd also suggest to reward yourself anytime you've been able to accomplish some of those goals - or even when you've just TRIED! Buy yourself a nice Dress or something that you wanted for a long time, depending on how much money you're willing to spend. I believe that's all! Keep us updated, ok? Sending many safe, warm hugs to BOTH you, @Jennyanydots, your Family, your Friends and ALL of your Loved Ones! KEEP FIGHTING AND KEEP ROCKING NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, OK?

[cashart10]

If I start to feel lonely or anxious I will do some havening. I’m sharing a link so you’ll know what I’m talking about because it is wonderful (although I’m not sure you will be able to do it if not trained in person for one and my t and I do a couple of things quite differently for two):

This is a go to for me. I also like to go through old photographs. I think most of the other things (besides perhaps a yummy smelling candle-lit bath) have been mentioned. I hope things stay stable for you this year!

[Ralau]

Your list looks really good. When I feel down or lonely I go outside for a walk or text a friend. A good book or TV show helps too. Also, visiting a friend or making a phone call can make me feel better (unless I'm so heavily depressed that it just sucks the last piece of energy out of me). And my pets always make the day better

The holiday season triggers me too, I spend the time from October to December more or less manic. I guess it's the stress because that's the only seasonal cycle I have. Last year I was mildly hypomanic (on meds) and the year before that I was manic, and 3 years ago it was first hypomania that later turned into a mixed episode.

I hope you manage to keep your episodes as mild as possible and things go well so that you'll be able to enjoy the holiday season.

[Pookyl]

I’ve taken up regular exercise again. I haven’t noticed any benefits yet. I’m hoping that exercising will ultimately lead to me feeling less stressed over the holiday period and less anxiety overall.