Black dog gang

Annie
I am thinking of you and l know what it is like to feel lonely amongst other feelings At least to link in here is something and a useful resource. It will pass l hope for all of us.

For any of you who suffer particularly from anxiety but also depression could l truly advocate that you take up KNITTING. The repetition is like a mantra and thus similar to meditation. It has been scientifically proven to be most helpful with anxiety. It uses both sides of the brain and is both calming and absorbing and if you knit for someone else I will increase your chances of happiness.

Last week l was very anxious and l had to take up my needles and it did help. I am knitting a cowl in multicoloued wool. Youtube will start you off. It is just one little way we can help ourselves. Great if anyone else has any other absorbing ideas.
Take care everyone. Dawn

Oh dear - can I respectfully ask you rose to leave this thread? It is not for you and we do not need the conflict you bring. If you want to pursue this please start a separate thread. This thread is not for you. We do not need your psycho babble.

Dawn Thank you.

Your recommendation for knitting has reminded me, a year after my husband died I went into a pychiatric wing of a local hospital , every afternoon we had to go to a therapy unit and knit , the Occupational Therapist was a family friend so we were chatting and I asked why the knitting every afternoon, she explained how the use of both hands on the needles and the mind concentrating on the movements was as you have said.

I can’t knit now because of arthritis in my hands but I relax every evening with cross stitching and am learning to work tapestry.

Am sure others here will have suggestions , craft work can be difficult if depression is deep but perhaps in lighter moments ?

Dragonfly x

Ah good Annie about cross stitch etc for you and the relaxation aspect. I put on the best of Bach on YouTube and it all helps. Sometimes it is the little and simple things that help. Dawn

Bug hugs from me Annie...

rose go and upset some one else we don’t need you hear, you are not helping any one.

We will continue as we have done since the Black Dog Gang was started yes? Supporting, listening, sharing , caring .

Hugs Joce

My Husband suffered depression resulting from his job as a college lecturer. He was forced to take early retirement in 2004. He completes crosswords, sudoku and various puzzles, but has bad days. He takes our son's dog for a walk, she acts as a therapy dog. What really helped though was agreeing to be a volunteer researcher for a local NT property( This took some time). He works on the archive from home, going to the property once a week to access materials. It has been a lifeline.
It has been hard seeing the one you love struggle. Fortunately I am a positive person but it has been so hard to know what to do and how to help him.

??? for Annie, Maw and Dragonfly

I found making tapestry was good as it only left half of my brain to worry and feel down. The other half was enjoying being creative.

linamillion sorry your husband suffers depression.

Dogs, i have two, have had dogs since a youngster, never thought of them as therapy but have been so for me.

A researcher? I can understand how it helps, I enjoy working on my family trees, been doing so for 15 years.

Thank you for sharing , it is hard watching a loved one suffer from mental health illness.

wot hello, so happy to see you x hope you will stay .
I am trying to get to grips with tapestry.

Thank you Annie
My DD's previous employers arranged for a Therapy dog to visit the offices every Friday morning, everyone looked forward to it. I think more organisations are doing this which can only be a good thing, some Care Homes too I see.

Wot nice to see you here!

Dogs are a reason to get out of bed aren’t they? I may be fooling myself but I do think they sense our moods and needs. The grin and waggy tail when a walk is imminent can lift the spirits too.
Hattie has been a huge comfort to me over the last 2 years

Hi Annie and Maw! My worry at the moment is Sophie dog. She's getting old and finding the (open) stairs difficult now. Last night she stumbled down them. I don't want to stop her coming upstairs as she likes to lie on my bed next to me in the evenings. I don't like sitting downstairs as its gloomy here. Glad to hear about Freds' shed Annie. I will pm you. X

As Sophie is 41kg I can't carry her!

Here she is

Hallo Wot I am afraid I cannot see well enough to thread a needle to do any sewing although I used to knit and make all my clothes. I have a huge quilt half made but had to give up as I could not see the thread.
Beautiful dog you have. I am sorry you find it gloomy to sit downstairs.

wot sorry you are concerned for your Sophie, I know you like her her with you on your bed in the early evenings. If she walks down the stairs with you try stepping down one step, pausing, then the next step , I did this with one of my dogs. Do PM x

Dragonfly I expect you have tried a magnifying glass, I tried one which hangs from cord around the neck, it didn’t work for me because I wanted to keep my specs on, too much of a bother putting specs on and off . What about a needle threader ?

linamillion, I knew dogs were taken to visit Care Homes but not work places,

Maw yes dogs are a reason to get up in the morning, I talk to mine through the day, daft things , ‘ it’s going to rain’, even doing a crossword ‘ stuck on 4 across ?

Morning all hope today is a good day for us all. Happy Easter big hugs to all ..

1inamillion I was sorry to hear about your husband's depression. I must have missed your post. It is a very hard thing to come to terms with especially if there is no apparent reason.

I am feeling okay today - maybe it is because it is Easter Day a day of hopefulness.
I hope everyone feels the same.

I sometimes find these " special days" so challenging. I love an ordinary day, utting my washing out, clean the bathroom, go to a cafe.

I kind of see rosecaramels point, there are things we can do. I see it like a well, when you are the bottom , you need some rungs on the side to climb up.

Lily65
Yes l know what you mean about special days. They can be hard because you think everyone else is out with their family and friends. Life is not always inclusive for everyone. Good to be able to say that here.
Take care everyone. Dawn

It is true Lily I have a routine on normal days but Sundays and Bank Holidays loom large with somehow no purpose.

Perhaps, the key is to plan. I believe it is called behaviour activation. Make a timetable.