Avoid heavy foods.
Be moderate in the drinking of wine.
Take massage, baths, exercise and gymnastics.
Fight insomnia with gentle rocking or the sound of running water.
Change surroundings and take long journeys.
Strictly avoid frightening ideas.
Indulge in cheerful conversation and amusements.
Listen to music.
A.Cornelius Celsus, 1st Century AD
I love the sunshine on my face. Just to stand outside, away from my desk with the sun stroking its warm fingers over my face is bliss for any soul.
I fear the winter and the darkness that comes with it.
Avoid heavy foods perhaps, but eat what you enjoy in moderation. If you count chilli as a heavy food, I’m in trouble.
Alcohol is always on standby, but see the above.
Insomnia is my occasional unwelcome guest. I can nearly always tell when he will visit in advance, and the next day you can tell because of my red eyes and drifting mind.
When despair takes my soul; I always want to run away. To be anywhere, but where I stand at the time.
I only just realised a few months ago how important this is to my anxiety: Yes! Strictly avoid frightening ideas and situations and places and meetings and people and people and PEOPLE.
But funny people and friends, are the drug I need to get through this life.
Music is a way forward for those in depression, but select your sounds carefully: No Coldplay. I have a special playlist that contains songs that are cheesy and make me smile. They are meaningless and are attached to nothing from my past; they are just sounds for a happy NOW.
Try it.
D.Carter 2012
I love it. I will have to print this out and paste it on my fridge. :)
ReplyDeletePlease do. Its amazing to think that people were aware of mental health problems, even back then.
Delete"No Coldplay"...a wise policy, I think.
ReplyDeleteYou know it makes sense...
DeleteMy favorite: feel the sunshine!
ReplyDeleteHi Joanne, thanks for dropping in and leaving a comment. Yes, the sunshine does help doesn't it?
DeleteBrilliant.
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
DeleteWow, even back then they knew what you were supposed to do...why are we still searching for the obvious...
ReplyDeleteIts interesting (I think) that they knew about depression back then.
DeleteSounds and words, here, Dicky, for a happy now. ;)
ReplyDelete(I'm always tempted to run from despair, too.)
Running away is a big part of my problems (past). Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment.
DeleteI prescribe a dose of 1910 Fruitgum Co. as an antidote to melancholic thoughts to myself whenever i feel that black dog begin to follow me...
ReplyDeletei like this piece...and my estimation of you has bounced skyward with your 'no coldplay' prescription..well they could be used as an enema but that is a whole other story :)
Hi Dan, yep music is a powerful thing, but its no good listening to sad morose stuff.
DeleteYep Coldplay is always pretty depressing!
ReplyDeleteI think we all need and crave funny people and friends just to get through.
Surrounding yourself with funny people is a great help.
DeleteGood advice Dicky - sunshine on my face (you've seen my latest photos in my blog), friends and funny people...we have a lot in common Dicky. On my next trip to the UK I'll contact you and if possible meet you at the pub bar for a chat and drink (beer, not wine)
ReplyDeleteHi Joe, thanks for your comment - yes we should do that the next time you are in the UK!
DeleteStrictly avoid frightening ideas? How would I ever have any sleep?! Just thinking about dreaming is frightening to me!
ReplyDeleteAnd how does that help the insomnia thing?
I think I'm destined to be sad forever...
Great post, Dicky. I don't know how I got here so late. I must brush up on my stalking skills ;)
I'm not sure anything helps with insomnia - or that I even care about lack of sleep that much. Anxiety caused by putting myself into awkward situations is a big problem for me though. Thanks for visiting me Nesssa, and leaving a comment.
Delete