What to Do During the Last Two Weeks

Image: Villa Falconieri, 1910 by John Singer Sargent If it can be said that there is anything good about depression, this is when you'll see it. Assuming that you are feeling much better than you did a month ago (and if you're not, please check the info on my Treatment section), you may feel almost as if you've been reborn. After having been deprived of the ability to enjoy everything your life has to offer, you'll notice that colors are brighter, sounds are sweeter, smells and tastes have more depth. Having had a lack of interest in things you normally enjoyed before being depressed, you may find, as I did, that you are all of a sudden interested in everything, even things you never thought about before.

Fitness (Mental and Physical)

Keeping physically fit is one of the best ways to supplement what your medication is doing. The more fit and less tense you are, the less work your medicine has to do.

  • Sex? What's that? Seriously, if your sex drive has returned, check out the Good Vibes web page for supplies and inspiration (21 and over only, please).
  • I always know that I'm getting better when I start singing along with music. Then I usually put on some good music with a beat and dance around my room. Try it - it really gets the blood flowing, and makes you feel alive.

Beauty and Fashion

  • Check out the web pages from these cosmetic companies:
  • I use skin care from Paula Begoun, because I have very sensitive skin, and her skin care works and is cheap. 
  • BeautyNet and Cosmetic Connection are online beauty magazines. 
  • alt.fashion is the fashion/beauty newsgroup, which is extremely active, although somewhat clique-ish. You may feel like you're in high school listening to the cool girl's table, but you can't sit down. 
  • If you're feeling adventurous, take a look at Tattoos.Com or BME/Tattoo and consider getting a tattoo. It's a very bad idea to get one while you're depressed (kind of like making a decision when you're drunk), but perfectly fine when you're feeling good about yourself. I got my first tattoo the year I came out of my depression - now I have three. 
  • Feel like fashion is fun again (as opposed to only noticing or caring that you were wearing something)? Get back in the swing of things at FashionUK, Fashion Net or Lumiere.

Useful Stuff for Getting Your Life Back Together

I know that when I "awakened" from depression, I realized that I had let the weirdest things go, like renewing my car registration. Other depressives, especially bipolars, may find that they need to get out of a financial hole, either due to overspending or just letting the finances go down the tubes. I hope you find something useful here to help you get things back together.

Exploration/Learning

As your thoughts begin to turn more outward than inward, you may have some interest in discovery and learning.

Image: Cornfield with Cypress

Nature/Ecology

I realized when I came out of my depression that I had by virtue of the illness been very self-absorbed. Un-depressed, I looked at survival on a more global scale. If you do too, here are some earthwise sites to inspire you.

  • Environmental News Network has environmental news, features and a calendar of meetings and conferences. 
  • The Rainforest Action Network page is beautifully done, with extensive information about getting involved in non-violent action to save the rainforests and their occupants. 
  • Sierra Club Home Page provides information about its programs, mission and chapters.
  • I was surprised at how fascinating the bios of the individual wolves were on the Wolf Haven International page. It also contains photos of such wolves as Angel, Little John and Morning Star, who you can adopt. 
  • GardenWeb has gardening tips and links to botanical gardens around the world. Virtual Garden is a huge site with a database of plants, the Garden Guru and even a section that lets you check your weather.

Food/Entertaining

Now that you're back to your old self (or better, as in my case) you might feel that you want to renew friendships that might have gone south during your depression by entertaining. Or maybe you want to just renew your acquaintance with good food and drink. Either way, the links below will help to get your tastebuds ready. Note: although I have links to alcohol-related sites, bear in mind that drinking alcohol can affect your medication's effectiveness. Drink lightly, or not at all, and only make drinks for your guests.

Travel

Tired of being an armchair traveler? If you're getting the urge to get out and see the world for real instead of virtually, the sites below should be a great help. 

  • I love the Civilized Explorer. It's got great photos and good writing. 
  • Conde Nast Traveler has a polished and comprehensive site. 
  • To get information about my most favorite travel destination, Disney World, go to the Disney home page.
  • Lonely Planet delves a little deeper into the culture of different destinations than other travel guides. 
  • Salon|Wanderlust 
  • I've found some wonderful guidebooks called Eyewitness Travel Guides. They have tons of color photos, floor plans of landmarks, aerial views of cities, and facts about the area that are actually interesting.

First Two Weeks
Middle Two Weeks

Posted: Feb 06, 2009

tags: , , ,

| More
---

Commenting is closed for this article.

Related Articles

Depression and the Holidays Survival Guide
You Can't Fight Depression on Your Own
Recovering from Depression
What to Do During the Middle Two Weeks
Women (and Girls) and Depression
What to Do During the First Two Weeks
What to Do (On and Off the Web) While You're Waiting for Your Antidepressants to Kick In
For Teenagers with Depression
Children and Depression
How Depression May Affect Your Life

---