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| You have no idea how hard it is to find an amusing meme about depression that isn't completely, well, depressing. |
One of the side effects of all this has been thinking about my own depression a bit more, which in turn has resulted in me talking a bit more candidly to the people I've been known to confide in myself on occasion, and a frequent topic is coping mechanisms. The more obvious ones are pretty well known, but I figured I'd share a few things that I've found at least a little helpful.
The first is this blog post here. Now, I'm not sure about a lot of it - the first two points in particular seem flat out defeatist to me, though maybe I just don't experience that a lot thanks to the whole not-ever-talking-about-it thing. They kinda answer it with point nineteen though, so there is that. Your mileage is gonna vary a whole bunch with a lot of these things, but the way I always figure is it never hurts to try something that might cheer you the hell up, right?
The second, and somewhat more radical, is from fitness and well-being guru Elliott Hulse. Remember how in my last blog I mentioned that I was opening up to all that namby-pamby life-coach bullcrap? Apparently I wasn't kidding, 'cause even a year ago this is exactly the kind of bloke I'd have written off right away. I can't link to the video like I normally would, but here's the link:
Though you might wanna read the next bit before you click.
The reason I can't just put the video on this page is that it can't be found just by searching Youtube, you need the direct link. Near as I can tell, after the poor bastard put the video up he was swarmed by piss takers and insults. Nice one, internet. And the reason for that is, as you'll notice when you watch the video, he seems completely batshit, window-licking crazy.
But take it from me, that shit really does work a treat. It isn't a cure, but if you can spare ten minutes or so before you've gotta go somewhere and it'd be handy to be a little more confident and less withdrawn, give it a shot. Because for awhile at least, every time I give this a whirl I feel better about myself.
There's a sciency explanation for it all, too:
Took me a little while to get past the whole "like unholy fuck am I doing that to myself, privately or otherwise" thing. But I'm glad I did. Here's two tips from a now-seasoned veteran of breathing through one's balls:
1.) If you've flatmates or family, lock yourself in and blast music. The music should cover the damned strange noises, and prevent your loved ones from having you locked up. I recommend the heaviest metal you can stomach, as the aggression of it helps too.
2.) Do it in front of a mirror. Because trust me, when you can see yourself doing this crazy, crazy stuff, you'll laugh at yourself. And laughter is one hell of a cure-all.
Anyhow, that's enough from me. Like I said, I'm not really a one for talking about this sorta stuff, but I figure one of my fellow mentors might find this stuff useful for helping someone. Or even just help one of my fellow mentors. At which point what has it cost me, really? Aside from you all having a nagging suspicion what I might be up to if you ever knock for me, I don't answer and you can hear Slipknot...
Anyhow, signing out. I'm off out tonight, and first I need to vibrate and breathe through my balls.
