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[msparticularity]

Re: health care debate--if something people are saying on the fora or anywhere else is upsetting to you, sometimes the best thing you can do is just stay away for a while.  I have a couple of websites/tv shows that I have enjoyed in the past, but right now I'm not at my best, emotionally, and I don't need to get myself all riled up by this and that.

I have found that self-censoring all kinds of content can be very important for my mental/emotional balance when I'm feeling fragile, also. I'm a pretty voracious reader, and especially enjoy mysteries. When my depression and anxiety are up, though, I have to be careful to avoid anything that might be disturbing--especially stuff like Patricia Cornwell and Kathy Reichs (who I ordinarily enjoy). I switch over to a lot of the "cozy" type and or my old faves like Greeley's Blackie Ryan stories. Those books exist in worlds that have struggle and strife, but are essentially pretty happy and nurturing places--which is exactly where I need to try to be.

[dr_evil]

I have found that self-censoring all kinds of content can be very important for my mental/emotional balance when I'm feeling fragile, also. I'm a pretty voracious reader, and especially enjoy mysteries. When my depression and anxiety are up, though, I have to be careful to avoid anything that might be disturbing--especially stuff like Patricia Cornwell and Kathy Reichs (who I ordinarily enjoy). I switch over to a lot of the "cozy" type and or my old faves like Greeley's Blackie Ryan stories. Those books exist in worlds that have struggle and strife, but are essentially pretty happy and nurturing places--which is exactly where I need to try to be.

I also use books to escape.  Most of the books I enjoy have characters that are great friends, so close as to be family, which are the type of friends I miss most.  I have a couple of friends like that, but they are far away, so it's comforting to read about people that are close.  And, when I'm feeling down, I stay away from most of the nonfiction except for the cool science stuff.  I recently finished The Pluto Files - while nonfiction, it wasn't exactly heavy reading and had a lot of fun parts.

[msparticularity]

We're also self-medicating with Cary Grant films this week at our house. Tonight we watched "Arsenic and Old Lace," because, of course, 14 dead bodies and some crazy relatives are much better for one's mental health than anything contemporary. :)

[conjugate]

We're also self-medicating with Cary Grant films this week at our house. Tonight we watched "Arsenic and Old Lace," because, of course, 14 dead bodies and some crazy relatives are much better for one's mental health than anything contemporary. :)

Excellent choice.  My cat is much like the crazy uncle.  When he climbs the stairs, he runs at top speed, vocalizing all the way.  Of course, it's more like "RRrrowwRRrrowwRRrr" than "Chaa-aa-aarge!!" but I suspect it's the same kind of sentiment.

[hot_rod]

In my situation, it's two things: way too much babysitting and way too much commuting.

Along with some chronic physical issues.

I never thought I'd be like this. Never.

[zarathustra]

In my situation, it's two things: way too much babysitting and way too much commuting.

Along with some chronic physical issues.

I never thought I'd be like this. Never.

I saw your thread, HR.  You're talking about babysitting your students, right?

This is probably no consolation now, but as someone once told me, you're making an even greater impact in your inadequately-prepared-for-college students than you might at a university where they're all more advanced academically.

[msparticularity]

We're also self-medicating with Cary Grant films this week at our house. Tonight we watched "Arsenic and Old Lace," because, of course, 14 dead bodies and some crazy relatives are much better for one's mental health than anything contemporary. :)

Excellent choice.  My cat is much like the crazy uncle.  When he climbs the stairs, he runs at top speed, vocalizing all the way.  Of course, it's more like "RRrrowwRRrrowwRRrr" than "Chaa-aa-aarge!!" but I suspect it's the same kind of sentiment.

Yup, the stairs are always San Juan Hill.

[hot_rod]

This is affecting my productivity. Not the forum, my depression. I have been battling it for weeks, if not longer. I always felt like I was at a relatively high level of functioning prior to this weekend. Now, it's a combination of financial, physical and professional issues all hitting me at once.

[alleyoxenfree]

There are routes to go.  One would be to make a list of stuff that would help in each area and start knocking them off at a reasonable rate.  Use visible lists so you can see progress happening.  You will feel the clouds at least movig higher up.

Another would be to identify one big thing that would help, like painting the apartment whose wall color is making everything worse.  Or shoveling all your dough into physical therapy to help with what's ailing you and acccepting that you will live on soup in order to cure that biggest pain.  Biochemically, letting yourself go to bed much earlier and get up and out to some sunlight.  Get some subservience into your life - that is, studies show that you get a hit of serotonin when people are subservient to you, so go out to breakfast or, if finances won't allow, see if you can recruit a student assistant who will do some tasks for you, like Xeroing, in return for your proofing their scholarship applications or something.  Quit doing everything the way you're supposed to and do at least one thing you want to do (even if that's just taking a long, pointless bath or seeing a bad movie).

[conjugate]

My prescriptions are renewed and refilled.

[rubygirl]

Welcome, Hot_Rod.  I have no advice at the moment (struggling a bit myself), but I wish you well.

Conjugate:  yay meds! :-)

Okay, so today is my first therapy session. I'm nervous and excited.  All morning long, stuff has been running through my head.  Can we just FIX EVERYTHING TODAY?! 

(Ha ha.  I know.  I'm just venting.)

Best wishes to all reading this.

[hot_rod]

I feel a bit better today. My discoveries:

1. idle time really sucks for me. I need to be out and about doing something. Staying home alone is a key recipe for the blues.

2. as far as all the bratty students are concerned, I expect it now. Now that I take it to be normal, I find it less stressful to deal with.

[hot_rod]

Merrily working on work.

Thank goodness for itunes.

[zarathustra]

To combat my blues, which have been hanging around since May or so, I've started trying to walk faster and sometimes run with the dog (she's still learning how to "go for a walk").  I'm also cutting back on sugar and alcohol and eating more veggies. 

I was also able to use the long weekend to organize some junk in my house, so I feel less discombobulated.

[biomancer]

I feel a bit better today. My discoveries:

1. idle time really sucks for me. I need to be out and about doing something. Staying home alone is a key recipe for the blues.

2. as far as all the bratty students are concerned, I expect it now. Now that I take it to be normal, I find it less stressful to deal with.

#1 is true for me as well.  I have a ton of ongoing projects so that I don't end up sitting around feeling blue.  My husband jokes that I need to spend more time doing nothing, but he has started to figure out that the {gardening, quilting, cooking, reorganizing, dog training, painting, whatever} is what allows me to hold onto my sanity.

#2 is just good policy in my book.  After all, there's nothing quite so satisfying in one's workday as a string of pleasant surprises when things go (or students behave) the way you hope for.

I'm glad to see that things are "looking up" for you, Hot_Rod!

RubyGirl, how'd therapy go?  It was a huge help to me back when I had my first bout with depression.

I hope everyone else is having a good day today.