35+ Community Check-in April 5-8, 2021
Happy Monday to all of you in the 35+ community and Happy Easter to all who celebrate it. I hope you all enjoyed your weekend and you are all doing well. 
When we're feeling a certain way we tend to have thoughts that are in accordance with the way that we're feeling. So if we feel sad then we tend to have more negative, sad thoughts and those thoughts feed our initial feelings, make them even stronger. 
Our feelings and thoughts impact our behaviour, so if we’re feeling depressed we tend not to want to do much of anything and find it very hard to get up, do anything positive. We might just want to lie in bed and cry. This, however, doesn’t do anything to help us to feel better but a vicious cycle is created instead which lets us spiral down. 
To break this vicious cycle we need to do something that does not intensify the way we feel already but helps us to change our mood so basically do the opposite of what our feelings tell us. Instead of lying on the couch we can go out for a walk, exercise or even clean.
I just want to point out that this is not meant to say we should not connect and process our feelings which is very important but to be conscious of when it gets out of control and take necessary action.
How hard is it for you in general to resist the urge to give in the desire to shut down when you feel overwhelmed?
What do you think about doing the opposite of what your feelings tell you to do when you are caught up in the downward spiral?
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@amiablePeace77 How hard is it for you in general to resist the urge to give in the desire to shut down when you feel overwhelmed?
Sometimes just taking a nap is the best way to get back to feeling good.
@soulsings
Right soul, naps allow us to recharge and keep the nervous system in check.
@soulsings completely agree naps are a major part of going through the day.
@amiablePeace77
How hard is it for you in general to resist the urge to give in the desire to shut down when you feel overwhelmed?
I do feel at times to just give in and give up, but I feel if I do that I am failing at things. I just keep telling myself I can only do the best I can with what tools I have.
What do you think about doing the opposite of what your feelings tell you to do when you are caught up in the downward spiral?
The opposite is to tell myself one day at a btime
@pamharley003
I think many of us know the feeling of being overwhelmed, it can be real tough but to remind yourself you do not need to do the "impossible" but just the best you can at that moment is very calming. 
Naps definitely let me rest. I usually push myself to do even a 10 min workout or to go for a walk. It can also take me 3-5 hours to convince myself to do it.
@sensitiveGlobe432
Nice sensitiveGlobe, it takes a strong will to win that "fight". Hope with time it will become a routine you look forward to.
Going for a walk o jogging works for me.
@helloLemon7606
Getting your body move whether you walk or jog is strengthening both body and mind! Great job
How hard is it to resist the urge? It is a fight every day. I have been in my meds for my depression and it has been great over all but I have been having a hard time making a connection with people. I have a hard time caring about anyone or anything. Finally told this to my wife yesterday. I love her and the family. That is with out question but I don't care about anything. Everything is oh well. It has been a struggle
@politeSail5130
Depression can make it very hard to get motivated for anything or even to care about what's happening. It takes courage to open up about it! Glad you have your wife and your family at your side and never forget we're here to support you too 
.
How hard is it for you in general to resist the urge to give in the desire to shut down when you feel overwhelmed? It's not quite to shut down, but it's extremely hard to get motivated and move on. It's like a form of being frozen or stuck, and I easily break down.
What do you think about doing the opposite of what your feelings tell you to do when you are caught up in the downward spiral? It would make me overthink and make me go in circles, argue with myself and get nothing done.
@Rebekahwriter13
Oh no, you surely don't need to get it worse. I hope there will be something different in future that will be more helpful to you.
@amiablePeace77 I'm not sure; my hope has been very sarce lately. I'm trying to simply live each day.
@Rebekahwriter13
Sometimes that's all what works, one day at a time, hugs. Are you still doing your writing?
@amiablePeace77I'm trying but I think I have carpal tunnel
@Rebekahwriter13
It's hard to write with carpal tunnel, hope that it is not too bad and that it goes away on it's own. This is a link for some exercises I found, hope it helps
https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=ad1506
Feel sad about the death of Prince Phillip. Death makes me very anxious, I'm always scared of death, I've always felt like death could be imminent and I won't have been successful at life (my own definition of success but still). I feel really sad about all the people who have ever died, and their stories are lost. I'm not religious. But thinking of all the people who have toiled and tried their best, but in the end, have been forgotten forever. This probably sounds really depressing. I'm not depressed. But for some reason these events trigger this thinking.
@pvroom
Many of us struggle with accepting that death is natural and part of our life circle. Prince Philip was blessed with a very long life, not many reach the age of 99. I'm thankful that some people's stories are written down in biographies so that others can read about their struggles and achievements and learn from it.
@pvroom
I agree thinking or dealing with the death of someone is hard. I also was upset to hear of Prince Phillips death, but he is no longer struggling and now is at peace. I feel for the family he has.