h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Any one know of any good pick me-ups? The approach of winter has left me feeling deeply blue.

Damson,

If you are just feeling a bit down, what you need is a chat with some friends, to make you feel that you are worth something as a person. Go for an evening's booze-up with some good friends and talk about anything and everything.

There are plenty of things you can do to relieve mild depression such as a cup of good coffee and a chocolate bar, a cappucino, a good video by a warm fire and so on. But there is nothing to beat being with friends.

If you are feeling seriously depressed, it is a medical condition which can be treated. Go and talk to your doctor and she will explain this to you. Don't feel embarassed about it. If you are not suffering from the medical condition, you'll feel great when you find out. If you are, you need treatment and it is nothing to be ashamed of.

I just don't know how I am going to get through today.

Talking about something you like is always a nice thing to do - what do you like, othet than cows?

Why would a damson like cows?

Damson,

If you haven't anybody else to talk to, feel free to talk to us. About anything you like. Do you like music? What sort? Do you drink coffee, like chocolate, any form of alcohol? Have you read "Harry Potter 4" yet?

D'oh Gnomon, 'cos Damson's page is covered in cows and she says they're what she misses most about living away from home!

BTW too much coffee makes me strange, love chocolate, gin, whisky, beer, wine and think HP4 is overblown and full of holes - but hey, I'm happy!

HP4 could probably best be described as "a bit farfetched", a phrase used by my grand-aunt while watching intelligent jelly-monsters attack the earth on Dr Who.

ROtFL - I'm enjoying this, but I think we've lost Damson...

sorry work blew up in my face. Well not literally but there were one or two problems which it fell to me to sort out. Kept my mind off things and I did enjoy catching up on this thread! I am feeling better thank you.

There's nothing better than being busy for making you forget your troubles, at least temporarily. If you really find you are sitting around at home moping, give yourself a major project that will keep you busy. If you can sing at all, get yourself a cheap guitar and learn to play it. If you can't sing at all, buy a recorder and learn to play that. (My "how to play the recorder" article should help). Other projects are origami, learning a language, writing articles for H2G2 ... the possibilities are endless.

Keep in touch, Damson. Let us know how you are getting on.

I got a bugle last night!

Wow Cloviscat! I take it you are going to play it!

I am feeling a little better today. I have moved the crap on my desk so that I can actually see the rest of the office. I am also trying to play some upbeat music to keep me a bit more up. I am also making an appointment to see my doctor.

Thanks for all the advice though!

Hi,

I'm glad you're feeling better. Maybe you can tell me the answer (mine is a combination of a broken heart - severe homesickness and a really crap and stressful job) Talking of upbeat music, i get to listen to Radio 1 all day at my work, so i know that i wouldn't feel so blue when the wonderful mark 'n' lard come on.

Have you ever played any brass instrument before? I've got an old trumpet which I have failed miserably to make play beautiful music. The secret is to not care about the neighbours and play as loud as you can. I haven't overcome my inhibitions in this respect.

It's a family heirloom - it seems a shame not to be able to get a squeak out of it . My husband played the bugle in the Boyts Brigade, so at least he can get a noise out of it...

Does anyone know if playing such a thing would be good or bad for it? It's about 50 years old..

Not that this has got much to do with cherring up Damson, but I hope it takes her mind off it!

A trumpet was discovered in the tomb of Tutankhamen. It therefore dated from about 1800 BC. It was played by a British trumpet player and recorded. I have a recording of it at home. About 5 seconds into the performance, the trumpet shattered! It has been rebuilt, but will never again be played.

I don't think there is any danger of this happening to your bugle. Musical instruments are rugged things. There are plenty of instruments that are still playable a hundred years later. Since bugles are all metal, there is no problem playing it.

I rather think I'm the one who'll be shattered!

If it helps, I can tell you that I feel "slightly" depressed too.. but it is really hard to judge, as it goes extremely much up and down. Today I am really great.. yesterday I just locked myself in my room and cried my eyes out...

well i think talking to people IS the most important thing to do, but there are a few things you can do alone:
go out for a walk...if you can't sleep, just put on your clothes again and get out of the house. it is a strange kind of beauty you will discover when walking around at 3am or so...
something VERY important: drink enough. if your head feels like it will burst because of high pressure, just drink a few glasses of water or your favourite juice and it will get better - don't ask why, but it works...
something more to drink: hot chocolate is fine, and some teas as well: balm-mint, camomile, st johns wort and those ayurvedic teas with cinnamon, cocoa, ginger and so on.
and don't forget to eat enough - may be equally important. just try to keep your body in good condition and not to neglect its needs...

I don't want to repeat all the above, but I think nobody mentioned etheric oils yet. So go and try grapefruit - it's really great for depression (you know using these little aroma-lamps, where you put some water and a few drops of etheric oil in the top and a little candle underneath) .
I think it's kind of strange, that especially when living in a different country you can get these moods. I experienced it myself and also heard it from lots of other people. One day you are really fine and love to be there and the next you just keep breaking out crying without particular reason...