| Stress and depression are not figments of your | | | | civic groups so that you are in contact with other |
| imagination. Most of us have felt alone or hopeless | | | | humans. It may be awhile before strong enough |
| at times, and can assure you that the feelings are | | | | bonds are created to become satisfying |
| real. Coping with these feelings can be harder | | | | friendships, but getting out of the house will lend |
| because of the things that swirl around in your | | | | you perspective on the world, and give you a |
| brain. | | | | chance to see your life in a new, and hopefully |
| We used to have a next door neighbor who lived | | | | brighter light. If you give yourself and the other |
| in her big house by herself. She didn't drive, and | | | | people you meet a chance, you will find that |
| she never went anywhere. I don't know how she | | | | relationships develop, and that eventually you will |
| got her groceries or did anything she had to do | | | | have friends to keep your thoughts warm and |
| with the outside world. I saw her in her back yard | | | | happy. |
| occasionally, but other than those rare sightings, | | | | 2. Adopt a dog or cat. Your pet won't share your |
| she spent most of her life in her living room. | | | | taste in music and poetry, but you couldn't ask |
| She wasn't a bad person. When my siblings or I | | | | for a more loving companion. Animals are not two |
| had something to sell for school, she would make | | | | faced about their affections. They appreciate |
| her contribution. She showed me plants in her | | | | food and attention, and will recipricate your love |
| yard because they were very interesting. But, the | | | | with a warm enthusiasm that is bound to chase |
| life she lived in her head was much more exciting | | | | your blues away. Besides, a dog or cat isn't going |
| and dangerous than anyone in our small town | | | | to fight you for the last piece of pizza if you |
| could conjure from reality. | | | | keep it out of their reach, or argue about what to |
| "I wish those boys across the street would quit | | | | watch on TV. |
| harassing me," she would complain to my mother. | | | | 3. Expand your knowledge. Read a book or take a |
| "Have you ever heard so much fighting?" she | | | | class on a subject you've always wanted to |
| would ask, pointing to our neighbor's house on the | | | | explore. Surf the net, and read information that |
| other side. | | | | you've always wanted to have. Maybe there is a |
| The boys she thought were cat calling to her had | | | | class in your area that you would enjoy. If you fill |
| grown up and moved away years ago. The other | | | | your brain with new thoughts, it won't have room |
| neighbors lived closer to us than they did to her, | | | | to aggravate you about the things that make you |
| and we never heard a peep out of them. To our | | | | unhappy., |
| neighbor, however, the things she complained | | | | If you are depressed for a long time, you should |
| about were as real as the blue sky above was to | | | | consult a health professional. Even if you can |
| the rest of us. | | | | identify the reasons for your sadness, a person |
| Happily enough, our imaginations don't usually go | | | | trained in mental health can help you cope with |
| on overdrive when we're sad. But, long term | | | | the feelings that are interfering with your peace |
| depression can make our environments seem a | | | | of mind. Depression is nothing to be ashamed of, |
| good bit less friendly than they are. It is important | | | | any more than diabetes or cancer are reasons |
| to learn how to cope with occasional cases of the | | | | for embarrassment. What is important is that you |
| blues effectively before they damage long term | | | | get the boost you need so that your life can be a |
| mental health. These suggestions might help: | | | | pleasure rather than the burden it can feel like at |
| 1. Don't stay alone. Join church groups, clubs or | | | | times. |