Last week’s post has got me  thinking a lot about ways other people can help with my depression. So, for your sake and for mine, I’ve made a very handy and informative list of..

WAYS TO TAKE CARE OF A JESSICA

·                     Make tea

·                     Chamomile tea

·                     With extra honey

·                     Turn on Tangled and cuddle under blankets

·                     Don’t get mad at me for quoting the entire movie

·                     It will happen

·                     There’s really no avoiding it

·                      Brave or Beauty and the Beast are also acceptable choices

·                     Bad puns are always a good bet

·                     Especially if you tell them in horrible/botched accents

·                     Chocolate chocolate donuts

·                     Lots of donuts

·                     Or cheese

·                     Cheese makes me happy too

·                     Help ground me in the present

·                     Sometimes flashbacks are hard

·                     Bring me socks because chances are I was wearing flip-flops and so I have no socks on and my                        feet are freezing

·                     Warm feet don’t solve depression but feeling taken care of helps a lot

·                     Remind me that I’m not damaged goods, I’m not a burden

·                     Take me for a drive

·                     I may or may not request to drive

·                     Windows down and music up is a must

·                     Offer me a selection of my favorite books

·                     Tell me that you are here, you’ll stick by me through all of the bad times and not just the good

·                     Play with my hair

·                     But please don’t try to run your fingers through it

·                     It’s curly hair

·                     That doesn’t work

·                     Get me outside

·                     Star-gazing

·                     Sun-bathing

·                     A walk around the block

·                     Just outside

·                     Tell me about some of your favorite good memories of us

·                     It’s a nice way to give me hope for future good times

·                     But never say “It’ll get better”

·                     I will smack you

·                     Open windows

·                     Get me in the shower

·                     *Accompanying me is optional

·                     TAKE ME TO A DOG

·                     Sometimes you just have to leave me alone

·                     Space is a beautiful thing

·                     And if I ask for it, I mean it

·                     It’s not code for “fuss over me more”

·                     I still love you though

·                     And don’t go too far away

·                     Offer to go work out with me

·                     Preferably swimming

·                     But never running

·                     Sit by me and do your own thing

·                     Don’t fuss over me, but be there

·                     Make sure I’m hydrated/have taken my meds

·                     Take me to buy new flip flops (Old navy, $2.50)

But most of all,

·         Remind me how much you love me

Please be empathetic and know I love you.