How to manage depression during COVID19 age?

@feisty76 I chuckled as I read "The 3 goals/day written the day before at least help me shoot for some “accomplishment” but otherwise each day just seems to be melting into the next. Wonder if other usually active “doers” are experiencing this?" I had just written down my (short because it's Sunday) list of things to try to accomplish. I have always been a list maker & organizer.

I wrote elsewhere in Connect that I am struggling with isolation right now. I am by nature very social and staying away from people is really hard (even though I know we must.) I am seeing that as things loosen up, some people are abandoning caution as though the virus is gone - even though it is still increasing here in MN. Like you, that means we have to double down on precautions and I am trying to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and even to guess when that might be happening.

So for this week, I have decided to make two lists - the usual task list in the morning, and a gratitude list near the end of the evening, the time I am feeling the most sad. What do you do to stay positive?

Sue

@feisty76 I chuckled as I read "The 3 goals/day written the day before at least help me shoot for some “accomplishment” but otherwise each day just seems to be melting into the next. Wonder if other usually active “doers” are experiencing this?" I had just written down my (short because it's Sunday) list of things to try to accomplish. I have always been a list maker & organizer.

I wrote elsewhere in Connect that I am struggling with isolation right now. I am by nature very social and staying away from people is really hard (even though I know we must.) I am seeing that as things loosen up, some people are abandoning caution as though the virus is gone - even though it is still increasing here in MN. Like you, that means we have to double down on precautions and I am trying to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and even to guess when that might be happening.

So for this week, I have decided to make two lists - the usual task list in the morning, and a gratitude list near the end of the evening, the time I am feeling the most sad. What do you do to stay positive?

Sue

It sounds like you have helped yourself by exercising at home and just stepping outside for a bit. Sunshine is such a mood booster. I have never tried the cold water but I suppose a cold shower would have a similar effect. You live far enough away so you won’t hear my screams when the cold water hits me.😲

@sueinmn, Like you, the lack of face-to-face interactions is what I miss most during this isolation. My biggest question is not knowing when I’ll feel safe enough to resume any start back into mainstream life. Cyber/phone contacts, walks, gardening now have been a saving grace. I do a verbal “gratitude” list on my way to the coffee pot each morning and so far that helps start each day on a positive note. My great sadness is that I cannot see or spend time with my very ill closest friend. What is your greatest challenge and how are you coping with it?

Hi @aliali, How nice it is to be making a new cyber friend from Saudi Arabia. The Mayo Connect forums have introduced me to an amazing number of courageous members whom I could have never become acquainted with otherwise. Members from Canada, Nova Scotia, Scotland, Australia, England,and Italy are but a few who are enriching my U.S. life through their posts and glimpses of how our more distant neighbors are managing virus conditions during this worldwide pandemic.

Like you, I am missing "before virus" face-to-face contact and previously shared activities with friends and family. While some seem to be using more stay- at-home time to be cleaning out closets, starting new volunteer projects of making masks, delivering food to others and tackling large productive projects, exploring new hobbies and pastimes, I seem to wander through each day under some cloud of non-physically induced blanket of fatigue. Basic home, yard, health, diet and sleep maintenance seems to be the most I can accomplish these days. You know life has radically changed when you have a dream of fresh radishes, which were never a favorite veggie, and the first item on each daily "to do list" is planning the evening meal. Smiles

What seems to help me most is to force myself "to keep moving" throughout the day even if that just means less time sitting in front of tv or computer screens. Like you I enjoy exercising in groups but I'm finding as @suz55, @colleenyoung, and @johnbishop mentioned, a bit of daily sunshine and regular solitary walks or home exercise does wonders for improving my mood.

Like suz55, just the thought of voluntarily taking a cold shower gives me goose bumps! However, even though it might "shock" me into more constructive action, I'll leave that to other braver souls to explore. Just call me a royal wimp; I shiver at just the thought of winter.

The numerous threads provided within the Covid-19 forum have offered a wonderful way to stay cyber connected with others who share the same interests and hobbies. The walking, visual escapes, gardening, humor and anxiety threads have added both a positive diversion and also needed motivation for me to share and participate with others.

What is sunshine? We haven't had any for a while and people are really depressed. Not only that, our arthritis and fibromyalgia really kick in during this rainy period. We are blessed that we weren't flooded as many have been. My grandson, who has four children, was a victim of flooding in his home. They lost a lot of appliances and other things. I pray they move to another place, not close to the river. He purchased this place because it was cheaper--so he thought!!! Not so, when you lose so many things in a flood. Thank God his family is safe and sound. My step-son and his wife were stationed in Saudi Arabia for quite a while when they were both in their air force. My grandson was in Kuwait in the service and married a girl he met. They have three of the most beautiful children we have ever seen. They have moved to America as she has cancer of the bone and had to go to the Mayo Clinic in Florida.

@lioness, While a couple of my docs had asked if I had Phys. Directives (P. D.) and medical POA’s but made no mention of the VIAL Gave copies of these to all my docs and hospital when I had surgery but hadn’t thought of a copy for med. ins. provider, Humana. Got a chuckle out of your “good to go”. Thanks for the smile.

The binder suggested by @ginger and the one I put together is comprehensive and thick so The VIAL is a great quickie reference for EMS. Really appreciated her suggestion because as @contentandwell mentioned, three of my docs have since retired or died and changes for other providers need to be updated. Fiesty, take binder out and start update! Just do it! sigh

@contentandwell, Thanks for the Apple info. and suggestions which I’ll share with neighbor.

@sueinmn, Like you, early start-of-the-day walks work best for me as well. My best energy is in the morning and also the walks tend to start me off on a positive note for the day. It is so strange that during this time, I am so otherwise lethargic. Feel like I am in a fugue or dragging through a vat of molasses. The 3 goals/day written the day before at least help me shoot for some “accomplishment” but otherwise each day just seems to be melting into the next. Wonder if other usually active “doers” are experiencing this?

@merpreb, As others have responded, I am also going day-by-day on rescheduling all med. appts cancelled due to covid.
I would be making the same decisions as you @rosemary and @sueinmn for the med. treatment you are needing now. It is tough because so many in our state are flooding back out now that the state is again wide open. I do trust that my dentist would take every possible precaution and I would certainly want to keep my thumb dexterity at its best.
An acquaintance who had hip replacement surgery several months ago refused to go for p.t. following her surgery. As a result, she now has to use a cane. Others who’ve had knee and hip replacements and ff’d with p.t. are moving naturally again.

@jakedduck, Well see what you started you rascal??? Leonard, all this talk of chocolate has me wanting to raid my stash. No 5 lb Hershey bars like @lioness, but can’t let a day go by without a bite sized nibble on something milk chocolate…saving the dk choc.’s for the really dire moments. Vbg

@johnbishop, Hope you’ll keep the lovely bird photos coming! The most colorful here so far are the buejays and CO. cardinals. Still too early for the female hummers.

@sueinmn and other gardeners, In the front, I’m excited to see the first zinnia, coreopsis and cosmos seeds sprouting above ground. While returning coreopsis are in full bloom, it is a thrill to watch the little new ones.
I had the nicest new neighbor experience yesterday. For those familiar with artemesia and yarrow, you’ll understand the labor involved each spring in severely trimming back the sprawl that starts to cover backyard paths. Yesterday I left the alley gate open while carting tons of the cut backs to the dumpster. While sitting on my rump and cutting away, two young dogs entered my yard and began exploring. When they saw me, they were curious about the human on the ground but were tooskittish to approach close enough for petting. I closed them in and walked to alley hoping to find their human in search of them. Instead, saw the wooden fence break which might have caused their escape. About to walk around the block to knock on neighbor’s door, he came out and I showed him the break and told him I the puppies in my yard for safe keeping.
As we became acquainted, I asked how he and his family were doing being new to our community and neighborhood during this time of virus spread. I offered to exchange names and numbers in case something like this should happen again. We did exchange info and he thanked me and also offered to pick up anything I might need because he made a daily trip to visit his elderly mom. Now how nice was that????
While my arms/hands ache today from all the physical work, my heart is so happy by his kind offer. Even during these stressful, restrictive times, gardening provides so many and sometimes unexpected benefits. Smiles to all.

Hi, @aliali, Glad that something I wrote might have helped. We are all in this together! Had to laugh at your consideration of taking up boxing. While there have been a few times during this virus that I would have liked to “punch” something in frustration, I hadn’t thought of boxing as a mood elevator or stress reducer.
My hubby used one of those huge hammers..like you see in carnivals where they try to make the ball go up?, and would use it to bang on a large tree stump in our bkyd whenever he got really frustrated. My favorite was to drive to a pond and throw rocks! Not driving now, so maybe boxing is the answer? Very big smile. Good to hear from you. Are you staying safe and well?

@lilypaws, I’ve been following your posts and wishing you the best with your upcoming surgery. Thank you for the kind words, Jeanie. Until you are able to resume walks following your surgery, I’ll send you cyber wishes for a happy recovery while on mine?

Hi, @tmvickery, I’m meeting you here for the first time. Like you, I am usually pretty sociable and outgoing. However because of the virus spread, I’ve become accustomed to not driving and staying home. My lung issues will keep me home longer than many because people in my area are not observing distancing or masking guidelines.
I also rely heavily on the internet to keep me informed and on nightly Netflix and computer games and reading to keep me entertained.
Being cyber connected with others through Mayo Connect groups has been an excellent boon for me. My walks and gardening keep me moving. Otherwise, I can find it all too easy to stretch out on the sofa for some mindless tv and unplanned naps. Are you finding other interests now that you are not enjoying being out in public as much?

@feisty76 I chuckled as I read "The 3 goals/day written the day before at least help me shoot for some “accomplishment” but otherwise each day just seems to be melting into the next. Wonder if other usually active “doers” are experiencing this?" I had just written down my (short because it's Sunday) list of things to try to accomplish. I have always been a list maker & organizer.

I wrote elsewhere in Connect that I am struggling with isolation right now. I am by nature very social and staying away from people is really hard (even though I know we must.) I am seeing that as things loosen up, some people are abandoning caution as though the virus is gone - even though it is still increasing here in MN. Like you, that means we have to double down on precautions and I am trying to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and even to guess when that might be happening.

So for this week, I have decided to make two lists - the usual task list in the morning, and a gratitude list near the end of the evening, the time I am feeling the most sad. What do you do to stay positive?

Sue