[StillIntending]

Hey, all. I have a question.

What things do you do to cope with depression?

I've done a combination of listen to music, write my emotions out, talk to a trusted friend (when available), breathe in and out from my diaphragm slowly and deeply, cut (a new development), watch tv, and just plain cry.

Does anyone else do anything different? What works for you, and what have you found to not work?

[BluGangsta]

Hi. I try to do things that would usually make me happy such as, listening to my favorite artists, watching my favorite movies and reading. When those don't seem to do the trick I just go to sleep and hope that I wake up feeling better.

[pinkbutterfly]

One thing I have started doing lately is coloring. I know it may sound kind of silly, but I put on netflix and watch some TV while I color. I have a couple of those mandala books - so it's more of an adult type coloring. But I also have some fun kid-type coloring I can do. If you have access to a printer, you can easily print some coloring pages from the internet. Dollar stores have coloring books too.

That's the only thing different that I can think of than the other stuff already mentioned.

[Clara22]

Hi,
Taking care of my pets, aromatherapy

Getting one area of my apartment very clean, if that is all I can manage, and rearranging things sometimes helps.
One thing that is hard to make myself do, is go out and just sit where there are other people. I'm too shy to make conversation, but even just people watching, gives me a different perspective. I often notice others that look like life might be difficult and it makes me feel less bad about my situation. Listening to Eckhart Tolle on youtube is encouraging.

What doesn't work is avoiding everything and everyone. I've cut out any alcohol and quit smoking, those things never helped although they seemed to.