Coping With JoJo

Published by: JoJo Matthews

So lets talk about how JoJo copes with depression. As I mentioned in my previous blog I suffer from depression and have for many years.

Over the years I have found different ways to cope. I am hoping that this blog will help someone that suffers from depression. That being said these coping mechanisms have worked for me. I cannot guarantee that they will work for you.

If your depression has you thinking about self harm then I urge you to seek professional help. There is no shame in it and it does not make you weak. It may take time to find a good professional, don’t get discouraged and don’t be afraid to find someone that makes you comfortable and wants what is best for you.

Anyway on to the meat of the blog, sometimes I use a combination of mechanisms and sometimes it takes a while for me to snap out of it.

My depression varies in its severity and my symptoms vary as well. There are days when I don’t want to get out of bed. On days like this if I don’t have to work then I take my time getting out of bed. I will either go back to sleep, read or play games on my phone.

When I do finally get out of bed I will make something nutritious for breakfast or lunch.

Self care is very important. I need all the energy I can get.

Usually, I don’t feel like going anywhere or seeing/talking to anyone. My day will be spent doing a number of things, reading, writing in my journal, watching a funny movie, watching food network, painting, deep breathing.
If I cry, then I cry. I don’t try to figure out why, I just accept it. Crying is the release of emotions that have built up for too long.

I may take a bath or hot shower, I may take a nap as long as I have nothing pressing I just go with the flow of the day and my mood.

So I am sure you are wondering how the heck do I cope then if I do have pressing matters for the day such as work.

Well after many years it’s just become a mental thing for me. I self talk myself out of bed, I can get a little forceful. Not only do I suffer from depression I have witnessed the debilitating effects of depression in others so I think that has something to do with it as well.

I also fear losing everything from depression. Not that material things matter but I fear losing everything and having no one to help me. That fear is enough to get me moving and be where I need to be when I need to be.

Other days my depression is just a general feeling of sadness and hopelessness. This can be the worst ones at times because it can last for days, even weeks at times.

At this point I will do a number of things:

I work out, whether I go hiking, hit the gym, go swimming, or take a walk.
I get lots of anger and stress out. I also tend to sleep a little better especially if I work out at night and then take a nice hot shower or bath.

It’s said in many articles written online that exercising releases endorphins These chemicals make you feel good and can reduce pain by activating your brain’s opiate centers.

PLEASE refer to your doctor if you have any health problems such as heart or asthma before beginning any work out routine. Also if you choose to join a gym a lot of gyms have personal trainers on hand that can help develop a work out routine for you. This is very helpful especially if you haven’t worked out in a long time.

Personal trainers also can teach you how to work out so as to not hurt yourself.

Other things I do is indulge in things that bring me joy.

I cook the best cooking is when it’s full of passion and emotion.

Writing, I keep a journal and write down what’s going on in my mind. This is a good way to get emotions out. Sometimes it results in ripping things up.
Sometimes poetry is a result of my writing. I have found writing to be very therapeutic.

I also like to read. Reading takes me away and into the story. I temporarily forget what is going on in my life. When I do come back to reality I tend to have a fresh outlook and I am able to rethink things.

Since Joey has been locked up I took up painting. I am not an artist at all. I have no idea how things mix together or anything about strokes. I can barley paint a stick figure.

I simply take the brush and let my emotions run through the brush. Color choice, brush strokes on the canvas. 9 times out of 10 it doesn’t look like anything but its carthartic.

I am blessed with amazing friends and sometimes during this time being in good company is also a good way to boost my emotions even if only temporarily.

There is always tons of laughter. I don’t know about you but I grew up with the saying laughter is the best medicine for what ails you.

A lot of the things may seem like temporary fixes and that may be true.
Depression doesn’t have an instant fix sometimes it doesn’t have a permanent fix.

I have had to learn to live with it all of my adult life.

Don’t get me wrong, I am happy with my life. I am happy with who I am. It has taken me a long time to get where I am. I’ve cried enough tears to fill every ocean and lake on the planet, I’ve filled many journals.

Life is a journey, it’s a process, sometimes we walk it alone, sometimes with others.

Sometimes it’s happy, angry, sad.

Whatever you are going through at this very moment, NEVER GIVE UP!!!