Today Sucks

I’m here at work and depression just hit me hard this morning. It feels as if my heart is sinking deeper and deeper into some dark chasm inside me and it feels like my muscles are hurting. The worst part is it hit me while I’m at work of all times. I hope I can hang in there. The first thing I did though was to text my friends and they gave me such warm wishes and prayers and for that I’m very grateful. One of them even asked me to hang out with them later. I just my depression won’t hold me back, because I could use the company right now. Depression has its hooks into me today.

Stress, High Cholesterol and Me

Source: Mel Magazine

Right now my cholesterol is high. Not from eating junk food or eating out, but just mostly from stress. I’m only 32 and right now my total cholesterol is at 226. That is way above the recommended of 100-199 (mg/dL). Geez…if car accidents, diseases, cancer, being murdered, childbirth, or even being food poisoned won’t kill me, the stress will. Things have been hard on me for the past year from homelessness to family to worrying about paying for my rent, my cell phone bill, and loans, looking for a job and worrying about those things could actually kill me. That’s a scary thought. I don’t want to die because I was stressed out for not being able to pay my rent. I don’t want that on my tombstone. I don’t want to die young. It may not be now, but it could be in my late 30s/early 40s if this keeps up. I’ve got things to do, things to see and people who and will need me.

Ugh…stress. It doesn’t help I have generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), PTSD, and depression which I’m taking three types of medication for and then Atorvastatin (stantin) which I’m suppose to be taking (my mom would kill me if she found out I haven’t been taking them, but can you blame me? I’m already taking one medication for GAD, two medications for depression, and one medication to treat my fibroid). I just wanna reduce the stress, without medication you know? I’m really trying. Like putting on an aromatherapy candle I like so much (if you go to Bath and Body works, look for eucalyptus mint. It’s really good for stress), listening to podcasts, listening to audiobooks, reading, watching my favorite TV Show or movie, exercising, talking or text friends, and coloring in adult coloring book…blogging… But whatever it takes, I will try my very best to reduce my overall stress levels so I can reduce my cholesterol.

Readings on Stress and Heart Health

Heart Disease and Stress: What’s the Link?

How Stress Hurts

How Stress Hurts Your Heart

Stress and Your Health

Stress Management

Mental Health Screenings

Anxiety

Depression

PTSD

Stress

How to Help Combat Sexual Assault in Your Community – Teen Vogue

In this op-ed, Jenny Proebstle explains how you can change how your community deals with sexual harassment and assault.
— Read on www.teenvogue.com/story/how-to-help-combat-sexual-assault-in-your-community

What parents need to know about the signs of child sexual abuse

What parents need to know about the signs of child sexual abuse
— Read on m.medicalxpress.com/news/2019-03-parents-child-sexual-abuse.html

5 Reasons Group Therapy Is the Best Choice Struggling Teens | Psychology Today

Research shows 73 percent improvement in teens treated in group over other forms of therapy.
— Read on www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/when-kids-call-the-shots/201712/5-reasons-group-therapy-is-the-best-choice-struggling-teens

Zachary Levi Is Working Off Screen to Help Others with Depression

In his new film “Shazam!”, Levi plays a superhero who uses his powers to fight evil. Off-screen, he’s helping to destigmatize depression.
— Read on www.psycom.net/zachary-levi-shazam-depression/

Baggage