sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

The things that are most stressful to us are those things over which we have no control. Lots of people are feeling very stressed, and even if logically everything seems OK, the amount of depression and anxiety is increasing. I hope the VA helps you out.

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

Believe me, you are NOT alone. I feel the same way at times, problem is it is getting to be more times than not.

Don

ewelling Loc: Salt Lake City, UT

I agree that sometimes constant bad news can "overload our circuits" and make us prone to depression, despair and despondency. This is illustrated most recently by one of the ER physicians, Lorna Breen MD, at the Presbyterian Hospital in NYC. She was beautiful, bright and successful. The constant stream of Covid 19 patients and high death rate was more that she could bear. She committed suicide on April 26. So sad that we allow negative news to short-circuit our moods.

I suggest looking at one of my most favorite TED talks on Happiness through personal interventions such as a daily focus session on things that we are grateful for. Please review this talk by Shawn Achor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gb7ZSsRweFk&t=14s.

I hope that we can all feel better!

Tex-s

The wife and I have decided to watch 8 hours a day of TCM movies if we can manage it. So many old movies to see for the first time.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

We’ve been through all of Scott and Bailey (BritBox), Gavin and Stacey (BritBox), Bosch (Amazon Prime), Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Prime), and just about every episode of Midsomer Murders, Endeavor, Death in Paradise, Call the Midwife, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, Bletchley Circle, 800 Words, Downton Abbey... on PBS.

Now I just want to wander the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Bill_de Loc: US

Maintaining and Enhancing Your Mental Health and Well-Being During the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak

This is from the VA:

https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/coronavirus/index.asp

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From me:

The name "stay at home order" has been very misleading. In many cases if you can break away from UHH for a bit, turn to Google. In many states there are recreational facilities that remain open. In Delaware most state parks are open, as well as our two National Wildlife Refuges. There may not be access to building, but the idea is to get out, maybe with a camera.

Hang in there.

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custodian Loc: New York

Glad you talked to someone ,you are not alone! Hang in there

alamomike47 Loc: San Antonio, Texas

The VA mens' group I'm part is helping. While the VA is closed down for groups our leader has setup a weekly phone conference for us. We are a cancer (agent orange & 10 years cancer free) survivors group. I've only had one bad period so I decided to step up walking, reading, and photography. Each day I post a photo from my walk on Instagram. It sure as helped me. Oh did I mention I clean the garage and scrubbed the floor. Hope this helps you from a USAF Retired (23.5 yrs) Vet.

Flyerace Loc: Mt Pleasant, WI

I like being home, and I like traveling. The best part of traveling is returning home. This lockdown has upset the normal routines of most people of the world. We have the best circumstances of all. We have plenty of food and the ability to get to it. We know we won't let the lockdown go on forever. We're already making plans to reopen many businesses, slowly, but reopen nevertheless. Call a friend you haven't talked to. Stay in touch with your kids/grandkids and friends. Diversion can have a lifting effect (no-I'm not a psychiatrist, just practical)

Stop watching the news-all of it. The major networks are trying to find things that are depressing. They like the reactions that people have to this. I stopped watching the news. When I look at online news, I skip from headline to headline until I find something uplifting. It appears the news outlets occasionally have to offer something good. Maybe they will get the message. I make sure the tv is off during the news. I want them to know the viewership is down. Maybe they can get the message.

I wish you luck. Stay strong. If the VA is overwhelmed, reach out to your regular doctor (if you have one) explain the situation and see if he/she has any connections with the VA. Tomorrow will come.

Byron'

I am 77 in a couple of weeks. I have seen polio, many flu of many names and other super bugs that were to destroy mankind thru the years. At my age I have to smile at my fellow older people as they fear catching this or that. I feel if you have lived your life to the fullest as much as you can then you know there is an end coming that is part of life. So be happy, live for the moment, enjoy every moment you have given to you do not dwell on what might be. Look on the bright side. I could dwell on the Oh me I have had six strokes, seven heart attacks, almost blind in one eye and halfblind in the other. Memory loss and confusion but that does not make me any better or Happy. I prefer Happy.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

One word for depression that helped me: Lexapro.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

You need to get out...preferably in sunshine.

If you need justification, here is one:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wyjtDH__Px4&feature=youtu.be