February is the month my best friend lost her husband to the effects of depression. There is no end to the ripple effect of devastation that his loss has created.
We will all experience sadness, stress, anxiety and depression during our lives. There’s nothing wrong with feeling any of these things. It is part of being human. But, if these feelings linger and persist, they can become hazardous to our health. So, today I am sharing some helpful tips from a mental health nurse for your mental health hygiene. And, I’ve included two inspirational videos.
Please practice daily mental wellness, my friends. Never ever be afraid to reach out to someone for help. You matter even more than you can know! And, you never ever have to [and should not] walk through these struggles alone. ♥ – Love, MoSop
Practice Daily
1) Don’t stay alone for more than 2 days at a time, there’s always Walmart! You don’t even have to talk, just be around others.
2) Don’t take cold medicine more than 3 days. If you are still feeling unwell, see a doctor urgently.
3) Don’t go without a minimum of 4-6 hours of sleep for more than 3 consecutive days. See a doctor urgently.
4) Don’t have a fever over 100°F for more than 2 days. It may increase depression, or cause hallucinations. Treat, and see a doctor urgently.
5) Combat Outward Negativity: If constantly focusing on how terrible everyone/everything is, try to stop, make a change in #1-3, turn off the news and social media, take a walk, pray, read scriptures, get a blessing, write, talk to a friend, listen to your favorite music. If it still persists or gets worse, see a doctor urgently.
6) Combat Inward Negativity: If constantly demeaning yourself, try the things in #5.
7) Combat Disinterest: If you have no interest in anything anymore, even what used to interest you, try doing them anyway, and see #5.
Get more tips and help at MentalHealth.gov, or talk to your doctor.
“In this sad world of ours sorrow comes to all and it often comes with bitter agony. Perfect relief is not possible except with time. You cannot now believe that you will ever feel better. But this is not true. You are sure to be happy again. Knowing this, truly believing it will make you less miserable now. I have had enough experience to make this statement.”
― Abraham Lincoln
Latter-day Soprano 
Wonderful, excellent advice. I like how simple each thing is. Beautiful song as always. Thanks Love Mother
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This was a very wonderful and needed blog. I have struggled with depression most of my adult and even part of my young life. My parents were divorced when I was 7 and my Mother took my sister and me from FL to live in KY where she had remarried. I didn’t see my Father again until I was 21, and then only for 2 brief days. He visited in Oct. and died the following Feb. That can cause a young person a lot of grief. I went through counseling, which helped a lot.
I agree with #1. I live alone and after about 2 or 3 days, I just have to go somewhere, even if it’s just to the drugstore. I do have some friends, but I don’t see a lot of them. My sister now lives in AL, but we email everyday. I think having someone to talk to, even if it’s just in emails, makes all the difference in the world.
I love that song. My senior year in high school (58 years ago) I sang in the choir. We sang that song at Graduation. I could hardly get through it, I choked up so badly. Tears flowed.
Thank you, Holly, for this blog. Depression is nothing to be ashamed of, and it can be overcome.
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Thank you for sharing your story, Lynnella, and for your example of resilience. ♥
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Very good advices! And I like this song! It’s so peaceful!
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