My Depression Helps

I've had times that the Hashimotos, lack of vitamin d and iron give me depressive episodes. It's gotten to the point where it occasionally causes me to feel extremely emotionally drained for up to months at a time. But anyway, I thought it might be helpful if I compile a list of things that have helped me with these depressive episodes, and depressive fogs that can last for even months at a time.

-One thing that really helps me is simple-bright colors, especially shimmery ones. This can come from flowers-indoors or outdoors. Makeup. Paintings, photographs, Christmas tree ornaments. Lularoe and Lipsense. Coloring with gel pens and sharpies, or your tool of choice.
-Good light. It may seem obvious because I'm vitamin D deficient, but getting enough sunlight is extremely important to my mental health. I've had days where I've just felt super out of it because it's been cloudy for the entire week. I have not tried them yet, but I have heard that there are particular kinds of light bulbs that can simulate sunlight that have really helped people with seasonal effective disorder especially.
-Good music- Music therapy is a thing. 
-Eating Well. Very little sugar and unhealthy carbs. Lots of protein, take your vitamins/other prescribed medications. 
-Getting out and doing things with other people. Connecting with a church, meetup group, joining a book club or Bible study, taking a class, and getting involved in a community group are just a few ways to get yourself out of your depression  cave. If you're a mom, there are some really good national/international support/play groups. Two of which are Mom's Club and MOPs (moms of preschoolers)/ Moms next (mops for K-18). You can easily go on their web sites and plug in your info for a list of local chapters. I highly recommend it because being a part of these groups has been a lifesaver (and just really fun!) for me since 2015!
-Therapy. Many people, including myself at a few low points in my life thus far, have had therapy/counseling recommended to them for help with depression, and thought things similar to, " Well, what's the use? It's not like these people actually care about me, they're just getting paid to do a job." or perhaps," This is cheesy, it's not going to help me." Let me tell you, these people have a passion for helping others and they are really good at letting you just talk things out, and suggesting things to help get people's heads in order, and they are able to refer out if you are in need of bigger help. I will also include in this category that it is important to have a Dr that can regularly see you for whatever symptoms you have. Your depression could very well be a side effect of a larger condition, or it could be a chemical imbalance in your brain. 

I know this isn't a full list of every possible helpful thing. Feel free to comment suggestions or how you cope with depression.

Still Figuring Life Out

When I was a little girl, I used to feel adventurous and breathe in all the fresh possibilities and opportunities that lay ahead of me. When I was 8 years old I was misdiagnosed with an anxiety disorder that turned out to be an autoimmune disease. But the options and endless possibilities were still there. I felt them in the air at the airport, the fresh cool scent of the fall and winter, when the leaves thin out enough that you can more easily hike through the forest paths. The feeling when I look up at the sky at any time of the day or night and realize how big the world truly is. The possibilities still feel endless. I'm still a restless adventurer full of wanderlust, but now the daydreams include my husband, my children, and the baggage of autoimmune disease. Every day I still feel the potential, even though I know it's harder to achieve with boundless fatigue. I'm thankful that my husband can see that adventure and potential when he looks in my eyes. He sees through my issues, and I love him for it.

Now if  I can just do what I need to do- regularly exercise, stop eating dessert and huge portions of fatty and calorie-dense foods, take my multivitamin and vitamin d, and get plenty of sleep at night, as well as taking my np thyroid every morning. I don't even know exactly how it's going to affect me. But I'm trying to trust God.