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Original poster

What helps depression other than meds?

35 replies

Professionalprocrastinators · 10/04/2021 13:49

I'm pregnant and have small DC so not able to get our for spontaneous runs etc, but would love to hear from others who've had depression and what helped them (other than medication)

I'm not too bad but have definitely lost motivation and spend most the day sat on the sofa in between looking after the kids. I'm not looking after me very much. I want to get my mojo back by the time this baby arrives.. 6 months to go.

Any ideas?

OP posts:
VenusClapTrap · 10/04/2021 13:52

Gardening is supposed to be good for helping depression.

Original poster
Professionalprocrastinators · 10/04/2021 13:55

@VenusClapTrap

Gardening is supposed to be good for helping depression.
I wish I had one Grin

I don't have any outside space unfortunately.

Great suggestion though as I did enjoy gardening when I had one.

OP posts:
FishyFriday · 10/04/2021 13:55

Exercise helps me.

dontdoubtyourself · 10/04/2021 13:56

Put the kids in the buggy and go for a brisk walk for 30 minutes to an hour in the morning. Fingers crossed you have reasonable surroundings to notice things like birds, squirrels, changing of the seasons. Try to reach for unprocessed foods, like banana and yoghurt with flax, nuts, apples instead of comfort stodge. With food it may taste nice but thats momentary, you then feel sluggish and run down after. Talk to yourself like you would a friend.

deeplyambivalent · 10/04/2021 13:57

Vitamin D. Exercise.

OrangeBananaFish · 10/04/2021 13:57

Music helps me.

So does running, but appreciate your comments about not having that option.

M0rT · 10/04/2021 13:58

Diet and exercise was recommended to me by a psychiatrist when I didn't want to start meds.
It's hard because depression saps your energy and they both take energy but she wasn't talking about the gym or weight loss.
More a 30 minute walk a day in the light and swap green veg for sugar.
Also might not be easy for you with small kids but sleep definitely helps me.

aibutohavethisusername · 10/04/2021 13:59

Exercise
Talking to people

ScarfaceCwaw · 10/04/2021 13:59

Exercise, even if it's just walking. Fresh air. Social contact. Structure and routine. Small achievable goals, like cleaning something or doing a jigsaw. Try not to give yourself time to ruminate.

When I was going through a very bad time following a trauma my counsellor's mantra for me was "structure, connection, distraction" and that's what I'd do if I was having a bad day.

MoiraNotRuby · 10/04/2021 13:59

Daylight, especially late morning or lunchtime. At least 30 minutes each day.

And a short to do list, maybe 3 small things per day.

Good luck op you've got this xxxx

Likeohmygod · 10/04/2021 14:01

Exercise helped me so much. Any exercise. Very gentle if that's all you can manage at the moment. Yoga or walking. It just gave me something to focus on but I get get being heavily pregnant isn't the best time to start up an intense new regime.

BrizzleGirl · 10/04/2021 14:02

I suffer quite badly from depression.

Exercise is number one best way for me!

Also St John's Wart, Vid D, and a few other supplements.

But an hour of exercise a day seems the best for me, to keep the suicidal thoughts at bay!

Nillynally · 10/04/2021 14:02

Forest bathing and doing some sort of mindful craft- mines crochet

Fyredraca · 10/04/2021 14:03

Getting a good night's sleep. Though it's easier said than done.

CaffeineAndCrochet · 10/04/2021 14:05

Something to focus on, like crafting.

At the moment, what's really helping is getting the house in order by doing a massive declutter. It feels like I'm achieving something and is giving me a sense of control over my environment.

Dowser · 10/04/2021 14:06

Get out into nature as much as you can
Especially now the weather is warming up
Can the dr check magnesium levels.
Low levels can contribute to depression
Good nutrition..plenty of fruits and veg really do help.
Plenty of water, make sure you aren’t constipated so your body can absorb as much of the nutrients as possible

We take vitd3 with k2
Multiabsorb b
Coral calcium from Caribbean not japan
Concentrace
Zinc ascorbate..every day
Without fail
Not only have we’ve not been ill, no coughs, cold, sniffles or covid our mental health has been pretty good.

Original poster
Professionalprocrastinators · 10/04/2021 14:08

Wow so many helpful suggestions, thank you!

I'm just about to take a walk to the supermarket for ingredients so I'll try and make the most of that.

I'm definitely going to try as many of these as I can.

OP posts:
Eyevorbig0ne · 10/04/2021 14:08

Walking 3 miles a day takes the edge off suicidal thoughts. It's a constant fight.
Wish there was a cure all. It is so disabling.
Diet probably helps I don't know as I eat alot of junk.

Mrbob · 10/04/2021 14:10

Definitely walking. Eating at least one really good meal a day (show your body you care) Find something that makes you happy- a book, a film, a jigsaw that distracts your mind but that you can cope with concentrating on.
Can you access talking therapies?

daretodenim · 10/04/2021 14:21

It's not an official thing but it works for me really well at times.

Headphones, LOUD very upbeat music. So loud I literally can't even hear my thoughts! I use techno which I don't normally listen to but it's ENGINEERED to be mindless(!) Then i either go outside and walk fast or I dance like an idiot at home. It's not really "dancing" it's full body movement like a maniac (I do this with the door closed!!!).

My thinking is that I can't make myself upbeat all the time, but it's bad for my health to have all the depression hormones (or whatever) floating around all the time. So, even half an hour of feeling upbeat is better than nothing.

Chocolate also works well on that front..but has other negative side effects longer term 😉

KirstenBlest · 10/04/2021 14:28

Happy music. The cheesier the better.

Go for a walk every day.

Years ago, I lived about 3/4 of a mile from a large river, and it always looked slightly different, so I would tell myself to go and have a look. Saw lots of different wildlife etc.

Original poster
Professionalprocrastinators · 10/04/2021 14:36

Currently outdoors walking and playing 'bananarama - love in the first degree' in my headphones, loudly Smile

OP posts:
PleaseValentina · 10/04/2021 14:36

Are you already taking medication for your depression, OP? I wasn't sure if you meant in combination with or instead of. Often a combination of medication with lifestyle changes/talking therapy is the most effective approach (even a low dose of medication may be enough to take the edge off and allow you to focus on other ways to help yourself, if you see what I mean). There are medication options that are compatible with both pregnancy and breastfeeding if that's a concern Smile

FishyFriday · 10/04/2021 14:40

@Professionalprocrastinators

Currently outdoors walking and playing 'bananarama - love in the first degree' in my headphones, loudly Smile
Good plan. 😁
worried3012 · 10/04/2021 14:48

I think exercise is a big one. It's one of those where you really don't want to go out and do it and have to really push yourself to get started - but once you've done it you actually feel great.

Music is a good one
Comedy shows are good, something to make you laugh
A good book to engrosse yourself in
Lots of good meditation videos on YouTube which helps
I've always been told to do good breathing exercises and I did actually find it helped
Keeping my brain active however that may be helps but saying that, there Is nothing wrong with the occasional duvet chill day