Learn Something New
by Susan
Learning something new is one of the best ways to battle depression and keep our minds active. Senior citizens, like myself, need to do everything we can to keep our minds sharp. Our mental health is improved by the sense of self esteem and accomplishment we can feel as a result of trying and learning new things.
Anxiety is sometimes a road block to trying new things. I know I am out of my comfort zone when I go new places and try new things. However, if we take baby steps in attempting to learn, I believe we can manage to reach our goals. After the holidays I was able to stop taking my anxiety medication and I'm doing fine. I am also trying to learn to use a new computer with the Windows Vista operating system. I'm reading the "Windows Vista for Dummies" book and exploring the new computer. I'm having fun but am also experiencing some stress. Therefore, I'm taking it slow and not pushing myself to learn it all in a day.
Self help is an important part of coping with depression and anxiety. For those of us who suffer from problems with both depression and anxiety, we need to balance doing things to help us with our depression without triggering too much anxiety. Sometimes it really is a balancing act! When I get overwhelmed or stressed out while working on this computer, that's when I need to take a break and do something relaxing so as not to trigger anxiety.
See if you can learn something new. It might just help you with your depression. Just make sure to take it slow.
Posted by ozzieblackcat at 1/30/2009 12:12 PM 
Categories: depression, Windows Vista, Anxiety, dummies books, ozzieblackcat, Mental Health, Self Help, senior citizens
Categories: depression, Windows Vista, Anxiety, dummies books, ozzieblackcat, Mental Health, Self Help, senior citizens
This is good advice. If I have to get
another computer, I will have to learn
Vista, too. It will be good for me to
think positively about it.
Even in everyday things I have to
do, I find that I am relearning even
things I used to remember about cooking. When I made toffee bars, I
remembered too late that the temperature has to be turned down low
so I had to do it again to get it right. Then tonight, when I was
exhausted after finishing the dishes
after fixing spaghetti. My husband
reminded me that he would wash dishes
as he went along so that there wouldn't
be so much to do at the end when he
used to do it. Also, I should take
him up on it when he offers to do
them for me.
Reply to this
Thanks so much for your comment. I don't like Vista nearly as well as XP but I'm trying to get used to it. My Windows Vista for Dummies book is really helpful in figuring things out. I often have to refer to my recipes when I'm cooking and baking because I forget some of the details even of those things I make frequently. Yes, let your husband help with the dishes! My husband does most of the dishwashing at our house.
Reply to this
Excellent , i love this line self help is the Best, obviously we should be bold in all time , we should face our problems. without us who will face our problem ..........
first think this is mine , i should solve this ......... den you will get the solution for this
Reply to this
Thank you for your comment and especially for reading this blog.
Reply to this
I just stumbled upon your blog. This is excellent advice. I too, suffer from anxiety and depression handinhand. I do see a psychologist once a month and have since 2002 when I first went for PTSD after my husband was assaulted in front of myself and my 2 children (they were only age 9 and 11 at the time). What you are saying about doing something to calm down the anxiety, etc. is one of the main things I am told to do by my psychologist. I am on disability for some major chronic pain diseases as well as the depression and anxiety. I found that coming to this Beliefnet Community was a great thing for me. I come on at 5,6,or 7 am my time and read and send comments, etc. to start my day off on a positive note. There is much chaos in my household all day and evening so this is my "quiet time". One of the other things that I do is some type of craft. It keeps the mind and body busy and when you have completed a craft, it gives you such a sense of creativity and pride. I had to have my most loyal companion (my dog, Krieder) put to sleep back in Sept. I had him creamated and when I got the ashes back, I did not get an eahrn because he was a "tough guy" so a ceramic eahrn with roses on it was not "him". I found the perfect eahrn online; but it is very expensive, so I am saving for it. Anyways. . .I took my plastic canvas and yarn and made a "dog house", I put a lot of work into it; but it was worth it, it helped me in 2 ways, 1) it helped with the grieving process and 2) a sense of pride on what I had done since I did this from scratch with my own creation. I put his ashes and his favorite toys that we played fetch with and some pictures of him inside this dog house and it sits gently on my nightstand next to me as I sleep. Crafting and keeping a journal or even doing what I am now, telling others of a part of me now that gives me a better chance of having an optimistic day. I am only 43 years old and already on disability and my kids are growing up so fast (1 is already graduated from high school and the other is a junior in high school). Any one can feel free to visit my profile and see my family. Thank you to all that read this post and for all who share their feelings. I am a great listener is anyone needs it to get through a depressed, stressful day. God Bless.
Sue
Reply to this
I'm glad you stumbled on my blog and I hope you'll return often. I'm sorry to hear about what you and your family have been through. It sounds like you are getting good help and doing things on your own to help yourself too. I wish you the very best. Susan
Reply to this
Thank you so much. I have been going crazy with stress. I do hope to see more people on here because as well as I can vent, I can listen just as well. I hope you the best and really have enjoyed this. God Bless. Sue
Reply to this
Excellent advice. January is one of the hardest months for me so I always try to line up some kind of project to get me through it.
Just wanted to say hi. I'm a new reader.
Reply to this
Thanks for your comment. I'm so glad to have you as a new reader. Hope you'll return often. Susan
Reply to this
This is very good advice. I know a lot of times people going through depression don't care to do much of anything. I have heard of a lot of people who try something like this and have very positive reactions. It is important to do something that helps with our depression and that doesn't trigger any anxiety.
Reply to this
Thank you so much for your comment. I really appreciate your support! Susan
Reply to this
I really hear you when it comes to new things helping with depression. When my depression was worse, new things helped my brain forge new pathways and I'd escape from the rumination. Now I've found some long term solutions, but learning new things still makes me happy.
Reply to this
Thanks so much for your comment. I hope you'll visit often. Susan
Reply to this
Nice post mate, every time thinking is look like new.
Reply to this
Good post mate.
Reply to this
Nice advice mate.
Reply to this
It sounds like good. nice post mate.
Reply to this