3rd Monday blues

[DAN DAN]

THE weather's rubbish. The TV's worse.
And your Christmas credit card bill has just landed on the mat.
Welcome to the most depressing day of the year. And that's official.
According to scientists, tomorrow is statistically the worst day of the year for all of us living in the Northern Hemisphere
Experts have worked out an equation that highlights the third Monday in January as the most depressing 24 hours of the year..
The calculation is based on seven variables: weather, debt, time since last pay day, time since Christmas, time since resolutions were broken, low motivational levels and the need to take action.

I'm just depressed it's a year already since we last had this thread.

[DAN DAN]

Ways to beat the winter blues.

1. Exercise
   As if we needed another reason to get fit! Exercise isn’t only for maintaining your weight and staying healthy. It’s great for relieving the stresses of life. Plus, the effects of a good workout can last for several hours after you hit the showers. You’ll have more energy throughout the day, and your metabolism with stay elevated too. Exercise also helps your mind by releasing those "feel good chemicals" that improve your mood.
2. Eat a Healthy Diet
   What and when you eat has a great affect on your mood and energy. Avoid refined and processed foods (like white breads, rice, and sugar). These foods are not only devoid of the nutrients your body craves, but they zap your energy levels and can affect your mood—causing depression, lack of concentration, and mood swings. Try to incorporate more complex carbohydrates (whole wheat breads, brown rice, veggies, fruit) and get your daily 8 cups of water. These healthy foods provide your body (and mind) with nutrients, and stabilize your blood sugar and your energy levels.
3. Get Some Sun
   Most people know that sunlight provides us with Vitamin D. But did you know that it also improves your mood? Winter days are shorter and darker than other months, and because of the cold weather, a lot of people spend less and less time outdoors. Lack of sunlight can cause many people to become depressed—without knowing why! Similar to exercise, sunlight exposure releases neurotransmitters in the brain that affect mood. Try to spend a little more time outdoors (and don’t forget the sun block—even in the winter). Keep your shades up during the day to let more light in. Sit near windows in restaurants and during class. Try changing the light bulbs in your house to "full spectrum" bulbs. These mimic natural light and actually have the same affects on your mind as the real thing.
4. Act on your Resolutions
   A recent study from the CDC showed a strong link between healthy behaviors and depression. Women who exhibited healthy behaviors (like exercising, not smoking, etc.) had less sad and depressed days than those whose behaviors were less than healthy. Although researchers studied women, the results are likely similar in men.
5. Avoid Binge Drinking
   Staying in with a cold beer or a nice glass of wine may seem like the only thing to do in the winter months, and many people who feel down also tend to turn to alcohol when they’re feeling down. But alcohol is actually a depressant, and rather than improving your mood, it only makes it worse. Avoiding alcohol when you are already depressed is a good idea. Moderate drinking is fine for most people, but binge drinking (defined as having 5 or more drinks in one sitting) is never a healthy choice. The morning after will have you feeling sick, depressed, and even more tired, which will affect many aspects of your life. This will make your low energy and bad mood even worse.
6. Treat Yourself
   Having something to look forward to can keep anyone motivated. Winter seems endless! But if you plan something exciting, your mood improves when you’re anticipating it and when the event actually comes. Plan something that’s exciting to you—a weekend trip, a day at the spa, a party (but keep #5 above in mind), or special event like a play, girls (or guys) night out, or sporting event.
7. Relax!
   You’re busy! Work, class, family, friends, appointments, meetings—even if you enjoy being busy, everyone needs some time off. Don’t be afraid to say "No" to extra opportunities (covering a shift for a co-worker, bringing food to your son’s class party). Try to spend a few minutes each day doing nothing! Read a book or magazine, sleep in on the weekend, go to bed early, try some meditations, or take a yoga class. Relaxation, especially in the form of yoga, can alleviate stress and leave you with a calm energy. Mental exercises like meditation and positive thinking can help keep depression at bay.
8. Embrace the Season
   Instead of always avoiding the cold and the snow—look for the best that it has to offer! Take up a winter sport like ice skating, snowboarding, hockey, or even sledding! Enjoy these opportunities while they last—after all, they’re only here a few months per year. Staying active will boost your energy. Seeing winter in a positive light, with all the fun activities that it has to offer, will keep your spirits high.
9. Get Social Support
   Don’t underestimate the power of friends, family, mentors, co-workers, and neighbors. Who can you turn to when you’re down and need a pick-me-up? Keep a mental list of these special people and don’t be afraid to ask for help or encouragement when you need it. Something as simple as a phone call, a chat over coffee, or a nice email or letter can brighten your mood.
10. Catch some Zzzz’s
    People naturally want to sleep a little bit more during the winter. But with all we have going on, sometimes sleep is the first thing to go. With a little time management, and some self-discipline, you can meet your shut-eye needs. Aim for 7-8 hours each night, and try to keep your bedtime and waking time consistent. That way, your sleeping patterns can normalize and you’ll have more energy. Try not to oversleep—those 12-hour snoozes on the weekend can actually make you MORE tired. Don’t forget naps! A short (10-30 minute) afternoon nap may be all you need to re-energize midday.

[all_funkt_up]

You know what DD, without realising it, I have been doing all of those recently. Going the gym, eating well, only had 2 pints in 14 days, going down the sunbeds twice a week and I'm away to Paris next weekend for a nice de-stress weekend.

Man, I'm good at this 'life' business.

[Winrew]

Well i am doing
1. Enjoying it
2. Not so much
3. Next month
5. Cut right back and feeling great.

[DAN DAN]

Here's some more good advice, not that I'm saying folks on here need it, but......


1. Try not to spend too much time with people who are miserable or pessimistic. Spend as much time as you can with people who are cheerful and optimistic. Was nice knowing you all

2. Try to spend at least an hour every day doing something that you enjoy.What about 23.5 hours?

3. Take a break. Go away for a few days if you can. Don't take work with you - and don't tell anyone the telephone number.

4. Let yourself go occasionally. If you feel tense or uptight go outside and smash a tennis ball or football or a neighbour's head. Or dig the garden!And bury the body

5. Learn to laugh. It really will make you feel better. Visit a local joke shop or toy shop. Buy books and magazines that you find entertaining and amusing rather than just educational. hire a funny video and invite one or two friends round to enjoy it with you.

6. Visit your local travel agent and pick up a collection of holiday brochures. Look through the illustrations and imagine that you are there - soaking up the sun.Saddo

7. Write down your problems. They'll seem less threatening when they're written down. And you'll be able to tackle them more easily too.

8. Don't be afraid to cry. Tears shed for emotional reasons contain special proteins - crying is a useful and constructive way of dealing with sadness. Crying will make you feel rested, calmer and happier.Well that's Kiko sorted

9. Make sure that you have something to look forward to - an outing, a trip to the cinema or a meeting with friends.

10. Buy yourself a rocking chair. There is evidence to show that rocking backwards and forwards produces calming, relaxing hormones.????

11. Try to reduce your exposure to stress and pressure. Look through your regular commitments - see where you can cut back.

12. Build up your self-confidence. People who suffer from depression often lack self-assurance. Write an advertisement for yourself listing all your good qualities. Carry your advert with you and look at it whenever you're feeling down.

13. Talk to your friends. Explain to them how you feel. If they are real friends they will want to listen - and want to help you. If you don't have any friends (then you are a sad bastard and it's no wonder you're depressed) ring the Samaritans - the telephone number will be in the phone book.

14. Get a friend to give you a massage - it will help remove the tension from your muscles.Back to the massages again I see.

15. Go for a brisk walk. take big, deep breaths. You'll feel revitalised.

16. Check your diet. If you're eating irregularly or eating too much stodgy, junk food that can make you feel tired, lethargic and depressed. Make sure that you're eating plenty of fresh fruit. And remember - a little of what you fancy will do you good.

17. Make sure you get a good night's sleep. Do some hard physical exercise - a brisk walk maybe - then soak in a hot bath for 15 minutes. Get into bed with a good book. Or a partner you love. (Sex is a real antidote to mild depression).That's most of you fcuked then

18. Take up a new hobby - maybe something that you've always wanted to try. If you can't think of anything you want to try pop into your local library - you'll soon get some ideas.

19. Try to decide what is making you feel depressed. If you can change things do so. If you can't find an explanation talk to your doctor.

20. Have you got your priorities right? Make a list of the five most important things in your life. Do you spend enough time on them?

[AnothrSpacecat]

ive already written an advert myself but the only people who replied were transvestites, whores and my dad on the other line

by the looks of things i need to write down both my problems and whats good about me.. might aswell get a pda and tune it into this bloody website