Have you ever felt that life has gotten the best of you? Like no matter what you do, you just can’t catch a break? You feel like you’re always defending your position at work? At home? In your relationships? Feeling stuck with little hope of changing your unique set of circumstances. Depressed, broken, battered and bruised doing your best to “deal with it”? Feeling completely miserable and hopeless. If you pay attention to the news mediaand generally things around you, you may notice that you are not alone.  It is a strange time in the history of this country, depression caused by recession seems to have become common. Here are some signs and symptoms of depression:

• Loss of energy and fatigue
• Change in sleep patterns
• Feeling of hopelessness and unworthiness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Suicidal thoughts
• Weight loss or weight gain
• Overwhelming feeling of sadness and grief
• Increased irritability and anger
• Withdrawal from family and friends

What is one to do? Especially as things seem not to be improving fast enough. I don’t have all the answers but one thing I will suggest is to do what you can. Recognize what aspects of your situation that you control, if any, and get a practical strategy together. Here are some things to try:

1- Start with a list of 3 or more columns, label them for example, What’s Working, What’s Not Working & What Would I Like to Improve/Change? What Is Within My Power to Begin Changing Today? And Based on whatever you come up with, figure out what you can do about it and when.

2-Identify your support system, ie., family, friends, community support, therapist, pastor/priest/spiritual leader?

3-Reach out to your support system, let them know what you are dealing with and how they might help.

4-Breathe…. It’s important to take a minute or two to just do nothing but focus on relaxing & breathing.

5-Self Care… Sleep at least 8 hours a night, Drink plenty of water, Eat fruits & vegetables, Meditate/ Pray, Exercise (I know this is a challenge for me).

6-Walk on the beach or by a body of water.

7-Schedule “Me” time.

8-Seek Help… There’s a support group for just about everything these days and/or find somebody to talk to like a therapist or counselor.

(**feel free to send suggestions, will add to the list)

Peace & Blessings,

Loretta