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Staying Up When You are Feeling Down

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Posted 7/13/2007 8:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there everyone. I find myself having a time of it this week. I try to always stay up and positive, happy and not let myself get down, but this week it has rained everyday and the rain makes the RSD hurt so much worse and I have a sore on the roof of my mouth which is a first for me there and I don't much like it. The Lupus is showing its ugly head this week and yet with all of this I still am trying to stay up and positive. I dont' want to get down and out, I've had enough pitty parties to last me a life time.

I just wondered what you guys do to keep your spirits up while you are hurting and feeling down.

I hope you all have a great weekend too.

Connie

Posted 7/13/2007 9:37 PM (GMT 0)
Sometimes I just let myself take a day off from trying to feel upbeat and I just totally laze out. Stay in bed, eat junk, read trashy novels, whatever it takes to just let myself totally off the hook. Probably not an approved method, but a day is usually all it takes to remind me how much better I feel if/when I try to have a normal day. Hope you feel better soon,
Posted 7/14/2007 12:09 AM (GMT 0)
Connie, I'm sorry that you are feeling down and I'm sure the weather doesn't help at all. First of all, remember that you are only human and that even healthy people have down days. Lupus is enough for even the most positive person to fight off some days. I actually love Lynnwood's idea - give yourself permission to do nothing but things you enjoy. I told myself that on a day my mood is good, I'm going to make a list of things that lift my spirits, such as listening to good music, reading a good book, playing my guitar, or scrapbooking so that I can have the list around for days when I'm feeling down. When I really down, my brain doesn't work so well, so I can't think of things that might help. I still need to make my list. Talking also helps if you have someone you feel close enough to talk to. I feel bad dumping on my husband, but when I'm feeling really down and bring myself to talk to my husband, I feel better and he's very supportive and listens well. Also coming here helps too where people really understand what it is like to live with this illness everday. The best advice I can give is to be good to yourself and gentle with yourself. I am hoping you find something to lift your spirits and that the sun will come out soon. Take care (((((hugs))))
Posted 7/14/2007 3:26 AM (GMT 0)
Connie--
I just try to find something positive even in the rain. We've had such a drought and with my sun sensitivity, the rain is great, it means I can go outside, though my neighbors think I'm kooky. Anyway, I live in the country, I have a bird feeder and a field guide and binoculars and sit in my living room and watch these critters. My little dogs and cats keep me from stewing too long, needing to go out. Just petting my little dog and playing fetch with her and seeing how happy and excited shw gets is soothing to me. I put on some good movies, even tearjerkers, and just let it flow, if that's the mood I'm in. I've started a journal to try to write down my feelings. Also washington post has great free online crosswords, soduko and the like, so if I can't exercise my body, I keep the old mind going. Mostly, I let myself be down for a short period of time, cry it out, whatever, then force myself up out of it. I don't believe its good for your brain chemistry to allow yourself too much "down" time. A bath with epsom salts and reading a book, lounging, even taking a day off just to do nothing, is better than working up to something bad. Try writing about something maybe, do some geneology research on your family, or something else you love, like lynnwood and hippi say. And when my brain doesn't work, its movies or tv and I don't feel guilty about it. Sometimes its all I can handle, then I try to get in some crosswords to get the mind going. Playing a game with my family, like scrabble or something is another way. You may just need some hugs, so here is one ((((hugs)))) and make sure you get some from your family and friends. Oh, also, plants and cut flowers help me alot with SAD symptoms, as does open blinds and the bird feeder and sitting by the window. Painting is fun too. Maybe, plan a flower garden or something. And if you have to, go out in the rain, there is some sunshine there, just bring your umbrellla and rain gear.
Posted 7/14/2007 1:08 PM (GMT 0)

HI Marji, Hippimom and Lynwood.

Thanks so much for the great advice and for the hugs. I very rarely let myself get down because I know how hard it is to get back up and I don't want to go to that place again. Even this week with the rain everyday and feeling low I am ok. Just feeling sorry for myself I guess,lol. I have a box full of books that I started reading the start of the summer, I also have 3 bird feeders and I sit and watch the birds constantly, as well as the squirrels and the skunks and rabbits that visit our feeders. I have two large sunflower gardens and a hummingbird garden that I love spending time at, looking at the flowers, and just wandering around the back yard. My two teenage daughters are home for the summer and keep me busy.
I just find that when it is raining and cold, that is when the RSD hurts the most and the pain from is is undiscribable, it burns constantly. It just gets to be a little much.

Thanks everyone for the kind words again and I hope you all have a great weekend.

Connie smurf

Posted 7/15/2007 6:36 AM (GMT 0)
Connie,

You've already taken two big steps. First, you have given yourself permission to check out for a while. And second, you've written to us telling us how you feel. Having a good outlet for a good ol' vent is good for the soul. You have to know that we all know what you're going through because we've done it many times ourselves. Maybe I should speak for myself. I also try to stay upbeat but some days I just feel overwhelmed and do absolutely nothing. It's okay to feel that way sometimes. And when you do, please come here and tell us how you feel.

I hope that today was a little better and that tomorrow will be even better. Keep us updated on how you're feeling.

Pat
Posted 7/15/2007 12:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Pat. Yesterday was not much of a day. It was cool and rainy again, this weather can really get you down.

Today is to be a bit warmer and rain later this afternoon. I know we certainly needed the rain, the ground is so dry, even with rain every day this week, but I have had enough,lol.

My husband and kids are good at letting me check out when I need to. I haven't did it in a long time, so this week was a first in awhile. I am hoping to catch up on some sleep this afternoon as I  haven't slept well this week at all.

I come here and read the posts everyday. I don't always post a reply but when I feel up to it I do.You guys are great and it feels so good to have a place to come to where people know exactly what I am going through.

It's a great feeling knowing I have you guys here anytime I need yous.

Thanks so much,

Connie smurf

Posted 7/15/2007 4:18 PM (GMT 0)
Connie, I'm glad you feel comfortable here and that reading the posts helps. It sounds like your hubby and kids are terrific.

I do different things when I'm down. Sometimes I just give into my feelings and take a break from life for a few days. I come here and get help from my friends here. It can also help if you have a special friend or two with whom you can be real honest and open and who will listen to you. That can be your hubby, your best friend, a counselor, or a minister. Just don't keep your feelings inside.

And don't forget that we're here for you.

I hope the days ahead are better for you. If not, you know where to come for help. Take care.
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