What Soothes You When You're Anxious or Depressed? Tell Us, and Win a Free Special Health Report!

I'm pretty sure I have seasonal affective disorder because boy do I hate the winter! And why is it that winter seems like it's here for months and months and summer just flies by? Completely unfair.

Sad to say, smoking soothes me. Bad I know. But so does my boyfriend. :)

I guess it's possible to have on-off depression. I think it started in college after a traumatic event. Just haven't felt the same for a couple years now. I mean, I'm happy now it's just that some days are like that every now and again. I quit smoking cold turkey for a month. The problems not quitting, I just enjoy it, which is bad I know.

When I'm particuarly down carbohydrates, as in sweets or grain, salty snacks help. Also, chocolate seems to help to beat off the edge of depression temporarily. I have a problem with the sweets, though because I'm hypoglycemic and after the temporary high I'm right back to square one with added problems of nausea and just a general run down sick feeling.

Lisa,
One in five adults suffer from depression. I enjoyed your article however I come from a background whereby it is up to me to take action. I believe in the power of nature such as herbal cures, natural cures etc and I would recommend a book called AROMATHERAPY & HERBALISM by Rochelle Moore (amazon) for ancient recipes on depression,anxiety,panic,fears,phobias etc.. You dont have to be a witch to get this book and it has received accolades from thousands of people worldwide.

I also find that sweets help me when I'm down, but as I am also hypoglycemic, they trigger another problem. Complex carbohydrates aren't an option for me because I'm deficient in the enzyme that digests them; when I try to eat starches, I get indigestion and severe heartburn. I get sick of taking pills for everything that goes wrong, so I monitor my diet accordingly. I've long said that I think my depression is situational and not just chemical and I still think I'm right about that.

Yoga both soothes and energizes me so it's wonderful to do when I am feeling anxious; and it lifts my depressive moods as well. Doing yoga combines a special breath with a posture and an affirmation.

I do live in a sunshine state but it doesn't seem to matter. I like to watch old movies to relax, especially comedies so I can laugh. Laughter is great cardiovascular exercise.
; )

I have found that going outside and taking a walk helps me more than anything. There is something about the outdoors that opens my mind and clears my thoughts. Nature is so beautiful and has the ability to help me get a grip on life's struggles that result in stress, depression and anxiety.

Depression isn't just a winter occurrence for me. It can happen at any time. Finances and my husbands' failing health are some of the things that usually depress me. Fortunately I somehow pull through most of the time. However, at times when I feel I've done everything I can to pull my self out but am still depressed St. John's Wort has been known to be a life saver. Thank God it works for me!

I have panic disorder and ptsd and I find the shoulder of a friend the best cure. If alone, I pop in a comedy or light hearted movie or pick up a good book orrrrr gather!

Being outside. Whether it is cold or not, if I can't get out and walk or work in my garden, if I can just get out and take a drive down country back roads, usually that helps me.

Or a good movie. And sometimes, there's nothing to be done but to just sleep through a particular bout.

I have panic disorder, depression, and adhd. I find that time with my son, who is 14 months, can always make me smile. Also, I love to watch slapstick comedy :)

Oh, and reading a great book, chocolate and coffee, and I love taking a drive and listening to music from the 80's!

Getting a manicure seems to lift my spirits. At $10, it's pretty reasonable!

I eat that is what sooths me. When I get depresed. I eat. If I get upset I eat.You can tell from my size that I am depreesed a lot

I know this may sound crazy but I embrace my depressive state-of-being and re-define it as a very slowing-down time as I am usually 'all over the page' as a writer with a stubborn streak for pushing myself too hard ! I need those down days and I know they are due to a chemical deficiency that does not need medication but a way to work through it and be better afterwards. Depression has been so classically defined as a bad state to be in and yet it is a very necesssary state for those that live by the skin of their teeth, so to speak . . .

Eating when depressed, if not done in excess, can be very calming, soothing and overall good for us BUT it can also become a deterrant in getting better as body gets bigger and more inward feelings of less self-worth mount. Working through a depressed state is not easy, in fact is a challenge, but it is possible and I am living proof depressed states only make me stronger, wiser, and more appreciative of a non-dpressed state when those come on and stay awhile. Life is up and own and always across, between, beside, above, below etc . . . flow with it and don't fight or medicate a depressed state for it might be the only thing that is helping you grow !
sharing the light,

I sleep. . . . a lot or exercise.