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My own experience is the same. When I feel depressed the best solution is "getting out of my head" and helping others (this includes animals). I have also noticed that regular exercise seems to keep my mental state in a healthy place and prolonged inactivity tends to have the opposite effect.

Dealing with things like grief and depression are part of the human condition. Honestly I would be a little wary of anyone who has never felt depression at some point in their life.
Very few of us can accurately determine when we are 'Depressed' in the correct sense of the word, as that word has been misused for the past few generations. It's not our fault we often misuse it, it's the way that Media has used it, and it certainly has become common parlance for Low Mood.

When our biochemistry is physically 'depressed', this can make us feel in a low mood, but being in a low mood automatically does not mean we have depressed biochemistry. The two are related, but not necessarily always connected. We don't actually know when our biochemistry in our brain is 'depressed', but we do know when we feel in a low mood. Our biochemistry contributes to that low mood, for some people it may be predominant cause, but for most of us it will only be a minor causative factor.

Persistant low mood is biopsychosocial in origin, so nothing is black and white about it.

The Media has used Depression and Low Mood interchangably since the 1950s, and it now anecdotally means one and the same. Doctors also do not have time to tease out the distinction during a typically 20 min consultation, so often Depression is the easiest diagnosis to use, as it means prescription of medication, and resolution of that 20 min appointment.

However the reason I point all this out is because there is an important distinction if our biochemistry is not depressed as a predominant factor, as this means that pharmalogical intervention will only have minimal benefits. Not that the major pharmaceutical companies want us to emphasise that, as they would prefer we all have their medication prescriptions regardless.

I'm certainly not anti-medication or radical in any way, if anything I'm 'objective with a knowledge background'
I am a clinican working in government community mental health services, so I got a bit of an awareness with all this

Working in government health services here we tend to be very objective, as the private sector is all about sponsorship and what not, so the major pharmaceutical companies are leaning on the private sector all the time.
This isn't a highly contentious issue where I am, although I understand it possibly may be in some parts of the USA, due to the ammount of commercial zeitgeist in the health sector, it's much less so here.

Yeah you are defiantely right in saying it's normal for all of us to feel low at times, especially after traumatic events or experiencing grief. We all have own own cycles when our moods get low, and mainly this makes us a bit frustrated, irritable, or fatigued, then it passes. But at other times it lasts longer, and if there are other things going on in our lives (or not going on), then we do fall into a bit of a rut with the low mood.

So yeah, anyone who never experiences it at times is really just not being honest

You are very correct regarding the positive impact of physical exertion upon low mood

If our body is physically active, it definately does significantly decrease the intensity of low mood cycle patterns as well as the duration.
Lots of recent studies indicate that physical activity is more integral to restoring usual mood momentum than biopharmalogicl intervention in the majority of cases. Combining both physical activity and medication is a reasonable course of action, but if low mood persists then higher doses of antidepressants often will not be the answer - if any of those factors need to be increased, then physical activity/exertion is the one that will often have the most benefit.

(I don't have articles here to fact-check, but it's there to find if anyone goes looking)

The best thing to do with low mood is to intiate or continue engagment in physical, mental, and social activities. Often our frustration tolerance is much less when our mood is low, so this affects concentration and often makes mental activities harder to initiate - so physical activity really is a great kickstarter.

Getting the first step is the biggie - leaving the house and going for a long walk every day, and if someone has regular access to a gym or sport club then that is phenomenally great on decreasing low mood. So doing physically active stuff, then while resting, doing some mentally appealing stuff (like our great hobby).

Also involvement in organised social groups is a great way to tick a few boxes. Doing this we are not focused on our own issues for a while, so it is mental respite in a sense, and the activity of social engagement is extremely positive. Participating in hobby social clubs are really great, and altruistic community organisation involvement is even better. Helping others really does seem to help us - I guess it makes sense as we are all humans after all, but who would of thought it was as fundamental as all that?

So yeah, everything you wrote is pretty much solid gold :shade:
 
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Please do yourself a favor and pay someone to do it. I grew up really poor and for most of my life thought paying someone to do chores was wasteful until I realized my time is more valuable than money.
I've always said that. Also the fact that you're helping someone else's business out by doing so.
 
In Belgium it is. I can hire someone to clean my house, do my garden or iron my clothes, the government pays half their wages and I can deduct my part from my income tax.

The late Terry Pratchett once answered in an interview to what he bought with all the Diskworld moneys, that he bought Time. Time to do other stuff than chores.
 
I hope this isn't too political, but sometimes I'm shocked, dismayed and angry that people I know in the US have to live this way.
I'd say it's more about corporate greed; it only gets political due to them paying off politicians imho

When I had to go to the hospital in 2020, it cost more for the Emergency Room for a non-provider hospital than the 2 1/2 days I spent in the actual hospital for my provider. Even the ambulance ride to the Emergency Room cost more than when they took me to a provider hospital farther away. Thankfully all the ambulance rides were covered (and my actual hospital stay came out to 50 bucks, with another 50 for medication). The emergency room was 6 grand, 4 after my provider covered 1/3 of it. I was paying it off at the minimum until they suddenly cancelled the rest of my debt (and sent me back to checks for 20 bucks each). If I wanted to keep my current healthcare, I would need to pay over 700 a month out of pocket, and my appointments would cost 5 times what they were under my original plan. It is utterly ridiculous how much it costs. Yet the mindset for many is that public healthcare is bad. Boggles my mind.

My phone interview from yesterday got rescheduled for today, so we'll see how it goes. Got contacted by a few more companies today via Indeed. Once considered my resume to be "impressive" because of all my experience.

A friend suggested I try and apply with my previous company, as she works for a different branch. If I did and somehow got back in, I'd regain my Paid Time Off hours, but wouldn't likely get my original healthcare back (as that was offered by the site, and most sites aren't that generous. We actually had better health care than the regular employees did!). I told her I'd think about it. They're hurting for people, so they might be willing to overlook that I quite (as I think the circumstances were warranted). It would also be an amusing slap in the face to my former boss. Of course, it depends on whether or not these other offers are good enough. I see a lot of jobs that pay less, and I know I'm worth more than that. So we'll see how it goes.
 
I got a C-pap machine despite not having verifiable sleep apnea, (very few events) but I suspect it will help me sleep better, having oxygen always has (literally my first sleep test they gave me oxygen and despite all the wires I've never slept better.) Second and more recent? Slept horrible but at home and no oxy.
 
I got a C-pap machine despite not having verifiable sleep apnea, (very few events) but I suspect it will help me sleep better, having oxygen always has (literally my first sleep test they gave me oxygen and despite all the wires I've never slept better.) Second and more recent? Slept horrible but at home and no oxy.
Man, I have one of those and I DESPISE it. I simply can’t sleep with it attached to my face unless I’m heavily medicated. Part of the problem is that I sleep on my side and change sides throughout the night. CPAP machines assume you sleep on your back! I haven’t used in in probably 5 years. My doctor gives me grief and says it will shorten my life but he admits he can only tolerate his CPAP for an hour or two every night.
 
I sleep on my side with a CPAP as well. I got used to it after a few days and I sleep so well now. Hate to hear it doesn't work for you. I assume you've tried the different types of masks. I use one that covers my mouth and nose. My brother hated that but is great with nose only.
 
Well, work got super-weird on Thursday, when we had to call 911 because two of our own security guards were on the verge of getting into it with each other. For the record, most of our security guards are great, very professional, and seem to be well-trained in de-escalation. But....
Should have let it play out and give the victor a raise. :devil:
 
So after four days of not having any, I was able to get some insulin today. I tried to get a prescription refill I got via GoodRX yesterday, but the Rite Aid I went to wouldn't have any in until next Thursday. Another one had 1 vial, and I got that this morning. I took a higher than normal dose, as my blood sugar has been creeping upwards since i ran out. I definitely feel somewhat better, but it will likely take a few days for all the bad side effects of not having insulin a few days to wear off
 
Back home from my vacation to London (with a day trip to Liverpool). It was a great week and we're already talking about what to see on our next trip, which will hopefully be in the next 1-3 years. I got in Sunday night, but am still off work until Thursday, so I've had time to reset my sleep schedule and take care of things at home before jumping back into work again.

Thanks again to everyone on this thread who provided tips; they came in handy.
 
Three weeks and four days post surgery, still doing really well. Was climbing the walls though. So since the outer stitches look great and I've had no real pains and per my doctor I could lift up to 20 pounds I decided to risk a ride.

Motorcycle spluttered a bit after not being ridden in four weeks and the battery was a bit weaker (security system will slowly drain the battery if you aren't careful) but ended up starting up. Did an inspection, everything looked fine so off I went. Kept it short and was careful to not be too aggressive so I didn't have to use my core.

56 miles no issues and returned home. Was great to get out though and feel the sun and wind in my face while cranking some BOC at 110mph on the interstate. Who fears the reaper? Not this guy, at least not today. :shade:
 
Back home from my vacation to London (with a day trip to Liverpool). It was a great week and we're already talking about what to see on our next trip, which will hopefully be in the next 1-3 years. I got in Sunday night, but am still off work until Thursday, so I've had time to reset my sleep schedule and take care of things at home before jumping back into work again.

Thanks again to everyone on this thread who provided tips; they came in handy.
How did the G&T's go?
 
Three weeks and four days post surgery, still doing really well. Was climbing the walls though. So since the outer stitches look great and I've had no real pains and per my doctor I could lift up to 20 pounds I decided to risk a ride.

Motorcycle spluttered a bit after not being ridden in four weeks and the battery was a bit weaker (security system will slowly drain the battery if you aren't careful) but ended up starting up. Did an inspection, everything looked fine so off I went. Kept it short and was careful to not be too aggressive so I didn't have to use my core.

56 miles no issues and returned home. Was great to get out though and feel the sun and wind in my face while cranking some BOC at 110mph on the interstate. Who fears the reaper? Not this guy, at least not today. :shade:
Well, you know what to do in case you come down with a fever.
 
I had my Netflix account hacked today (from someone in Columbia). Kinda' strange as they watched Doctor Sleep and then closed the account.

So I checked on the interwebs and it seems to be a bit of a thing. Hacking a Netflix account and then closing the membership. Weird! LOL
Haha. Sorry. I closed my account the other day saying "I so rarely watch anything on Netflix these days" only to have my kids all get sick and want to watch.......shows on Netflix!!! 2 days after the subscription ended. So now my account probably looks like it was hacked only it's just dumb luck. I wonder if I'm randomly going to benefit from this somehow.
 
How did the G&T's go?

I had three over the course of the week -- one with Tanqueray (which I've had before), one with Gordon's (new to me), and another with an unknown brand (probably just the house well gin, in that case) which also had rose and pomegranate in it, which was my favorite.

I usually limit my spirits intake since I really feel it later on if I don't. Thus I mostly stuck to beer and cider when drinking alcohol, save for a Jameson and Coke I had on another occasion.

Thanks for the Fuller's pubs recommendation, by the way. I had one of my favorite meals (a steak pie with mash and greens) at the Red Lion on Parliament Street.
 
My wife had heard noises in the dormer of our master bath for a few weeks and I was somewhat sure there were squirrels in there. But recently we also had a raccoon try to pry her way into our of our other soffits and I had to have a roofing guy come out and fix that. Anyway, I called the critter people we have used before to come out and take a look on Monday.

After looking up on the roof the nice guy who came tells me we have a mother and some baby raccoons up there. We go up into the bathroom and he holds a thermal cam up and we see the red blotches Predator-style. Anyway, he said the best way to handle it is to evict the family by using a male raccoon scent to make the mother worry and take her babies to a safer place far away. I guess the male raccoons are nasty to babies. He got a tub of this stuff and smothered it up there. So my wife hasn’t heard any noises since last night but now we have a little stain on the ceiling from probably babies pissing themselves like crazy worrying about their lives being in danger. Anyway they are coming back tomorrow to make sure they are gone and start repairs. We have had some real luck with animals trying to get in the last few years.
 
I had my Netflix account hacked today (from someone in Columbia). Kinda' strange as they watched Doctor Sleep and then closed the account.
It’s that bad, huh.

Haha. Sorry. I closed my account the other day saying "I so rarely watch anything on Netflix these days" only to have my kids all get sick and want to watch.......shows on Netflix!!! 2 days after the subscription ended.
The essence of parenting.

I had three over the course of the week -- one with Tanqueray (which I've had before), one with Gordon's (new to me), and another with an unknown brand (probably just the house well gin, in that case) which also had rose and pomegranate in it, which was my favorite.

I usually limit my spirits intake since I really feel it later on if I don't. Thus I mostly stuck to beer and cider when drinking alcohol, save for a Jameson and Coke I had on another occasion.

Thanks for the Fuller's pubs recommendation, by the way. I had one of my favorite meals (a steak pie with mash and greens) at the Red Lion on Parliament Street.
I mostly stuck to beer there too, and didn’t even sample half as many as I’d like. Big fan of Brit brews.
Anyway, he said the best way to handle it is to evict the family by using a male raccoon scent to make the mother worry and take her babies to a safer place far away. I guess the male raccoons are nasty to babies.
Yup. Males who chance upon a female with litter kill the babies so they can get the female to ovulate again. Chimps do the same. “Red in tooth and claw” indeed.
 
Welp, now we have a cat family in the back yard. My mom contacted a lady who advised that we wait at least 4 weeks or so before taking the kittens in to a shelter. There's mom and three kittens under the greenhouse along with a male tabby who we assume is the father (I have never seen a male cat stick around before!).

So today is 1 month since my wife moved out. It still hurts just as bad. Every day it seems that she's further away. I try to keep hope, and there's little things that give me hope, but it's just so damned hard.
IMHO you should hold your head up high for sticking to your weight loss discipline in the face of devastating emotional loss. I wish I had advice for getting through this but I am terrible with heartbreak. Just don't do what I did and go out, get drunk, forget for a moment, repeat ad infinitum. It should surprise no one that numbing your feelings with drugs and alcohol simply prolongs the pain!
 
IMHO you should hold your head up high for sticking to your weight loss discipline in the face of devastating emotional loss. I wish I had advice for getting through this but I am terrible with heartbreak. Just don't do what I did and go out, get drunk, forget for a moment, repeat ad infinitum. It should surprise no one that numbing your feelings with drugs and alcohol simply prolongs the pain!
It's more like forcing myself to eat thats the problem. I don't really find joy in anything right now. I'm just trying to survive this.
 
Had a call from unemployment yesterday. I suspect my old employer will refute everything I told them about how my old boss didn't seem to care my health was getting worse due to the work schedule she was making me work. As I've been getting contacted by a few jobs via Indeed, I'm hoping to be employed again in a week or two. Had an offer yesterday, but have a few more interviews I'm setting up, so told them I'd get back to them.

While this is a long shot, a friend and former co-worker spoke to a field supervisor from the Portland branch of my former employer (my site was under the jurisdiction of the Vancouver branch), and told her my story. She said rehiring me for their branch likely wouldn't be an issue, so she gave the supervisor my name and number. No calls yet, so I'm not getting my hopes up.
 
Work announced that they want to start having people come in the office 1 day per week. Im sure my management will support me either doing 2 half days or just leaving early to pick up my daughter then working the rest from home.

Probably going to put my resume out on Indeed. Maybe clean up my Linked In profile just to see what is really out there.

editing to say: this isn’t just a knee jerk reaction and I’m not a person to change jobs lightly. I’ve been here since 2003. Retirement eligibility is still over 3 1/2 years away. Had planned to retire here, but willing to see what options are out there.
 
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Ugh. Money saved towards a computer I had to use some to pay to put my mom's dog down. She's supposed to pay me back. It's always an issue though when it comes time for that kind of thing. Next week and I was paying a friend for parts to set up a new comp with processor and more (some he already had, like the case and SSD.)
 
I just found out the bike I got because I thought it was a good deal was a bad deal. Paid $600 for it, but the guy at the shop said it was more like worth $300-350. I should have done more research. The good thing is the company paid for $500 of it. Trying to sell it because it's too large for me, and I really can't get used to the racing position.

I also got a new bike today- more what I needed, so looking forward to trying that
 
I am so tired of crazy real estate market. I just represented a seller in a sale. On top of that, I was representing four buying couples, and there were five other buyers with other agents making bids. It was like running the least fun game of Paranoia ever. Since last Friday, I've been lucky to make it five minutes without a call or text I had to respond to immediately.

A contract was signed this morning. One of my buyers got made the winning bid, which meant I only had three upset clients.

I have a new listing going up tomorrow morning, and the cycle begins again.
 
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