keep calm and carry on...

Utah has the highest female population on anti-depressants in the nation. It seems that they are the answer for everything from sleeplessness to headaches to OCDs to managing stress.  Many women that I know are prescribed these meds and they swear by them.  They are a blessing in these women's lives.  For them, I'm grateful.  Modern technology blesses us in so many ways.  BUT.

I'm married to granola-man.  That said, we take very few meds in our home.  I had to fight like a bear to get Doug to go to the doctor to take anti-biotics a few weeks ago.  He isn't a fan of doctors or meds.  He believes in vitamins, blender drinks, rest and exercise.  (And I have to admit, he's healthier than anyone I know.) This is one place that we are completely different!

Doug and I were discussing the "need" for meds recently.  One friend's husband says that if his wife ever even thought of going off her meds, he'd, personally, take her in to the doctor to keep her on them.  They work for her, and for them.  Again, a blessing. 

I have a great compassion for those who experience depression and consider myself blessed to not have had that burden in life.  I manage my stress and admit that much of it is self-inflicted because I say the word, "Yes", too often.  I confess that I enjoy living "fire to fire".  My germaphobia and other little OCDs , as I get older, seem to mellow.  I'm grateful to have discovered a few of my own remedies for handling the rollercoaster we call life.  Thankfully, they work for me.

My first remedy is simple.  I go to Chili's with girlfriends.  Often.  It's therapy.  Plain and simple.  Doug acknowledges/appreciates the fact that I have girlfriends who fill my social needs in a way that men just don't.  Doug is my best friend.  And we can discuss anything.  But, men just don't see things the way women do.  So, I'm grateful for girlfriends.  I'm grateful for table 41, the therapy booth at Chili's.  I'm grateful for a husband who's understanding of that.  Chili's is much cheaper than therapist and meds  and it works for me.  I'm having a little "therapy" today, as a matter of fact.  Can't wait.  

Another therapy idea:  Aromatherapy.  I've mentioned how dry our winter has been.  The air is awful.  Skin is dry.  Hair is dry.  Noses are dry.  It's just dry, dry, dry.  I read a little recipe recently that suggested adding a little moisture to the air in your home without running a noisy humidifier. And there's something wonderful about things that smell good.  Plain and simple.  Here's the recipe:

1 orange, sliced thinly
1 Tbsp. whole cloves
5 or 6 cinnamon sticks
1 cup whole fresh cranberries
1 Crock Pot
Water, lots of it.

Simply place all of the ingredients in the crock pot and turn it on. The mix supposedly lasts six weeks.  Mine's three weeks old now.  Add water every day to the crockpot.  It was very pretty the first day.  But, once it cooked, it looked like this...pretty gross.   Keep adding water.  Prop the lid open.  I rest the lid on two chopsticks.  It doesn't smell much anymore, but it's adding moisture to the air.  It's supposedly therapeutic.   Eventually, it will snow.  For me, that's even better therapy.

My best therapy of all is laughing.  Granola-Man helps in this department, immensely.  I heart him.  BIG.

Another great therapy:  A dog.  They are loving and forgiving and entertaining.  Everyone needs a dog.  Enough said about that.

Another one:  Taking a beautiful walk.  No matter what the weather.  One walk around the block produces the same endorphines that... well... you know.  If you feel like you need to cry, to scream, to punch someone, don't do it.  Just go for a walk.

Another thing that works for me is listening to uplifting talks.  LDS General Conference talks inspire me daily.  Love them!  Downloading inspirational books also help.  But, the talks.  Oh, how I love them.  And then pondering them.  And praying about how to apply them to my life.

I've said before, when I can't sleep, when I worry, when I stress, Iclean or I decorate.  Sometimes, it means arranging my furniture in someone else's home in my mind.  Sometimes, it's walking through a fabulous store.  Not buying.  Just looking and filling my bucket...my brain bucket, that is.  Sometimes, it's painting or redoing something I already own.

And then, there's always, chocolate. Remember, "stressed" spelled backwards is "desserts".

 Some of the secret joys of living are not found by rushing from point A to point B, but by inventing some imaginary letters along the way.  Enough said. 

Comments

[Ramona Cody]

I totally agree with you that every home needs a dog. Our rat terrier was killed a year and a half ago, and I adopted a seven-month old daschund last Saturday. Oh, how sweet she is! She's been so much company to my husband and me. Happy Belated New Year!

[Marti Snow]

I am so grateful for depression medications. They are very expensive. I have had to have them since 14 years of age. Diagnosed with severe depressive disorder. It can be a scary thing for me and my family. Grateful I have a nurse husband who understands me too. So blessed. Enjoy your blog. Especially while away from home taking care of grandkids.

[Nicole]

I also agree with all your ideas: a dog (I have a black lab), walking (I walk the dog 3 times a day),chocolate (or any sweets for that matter), laughing (I also have a husband with a great sense of humor), re-decorating or re-organizing my home and in my case, I have to add: scrapbooking or doing something crafty. Unfortunately I wish I had more girlfriends (everybody has a "career" and is too busy)who are available to go for lunch at Chili's, more girlfriends who think like you Sophia! And I have to agree with Doug I try to avoid meds whenever I can.

[Betsy Maddox]

I love all those ideas and I completely agree!

[Debra Guerrero]

Amen Cousin, totally agree with you, by the way Happy New Year!