It happens to all of us eventually, the homestead blues.  Here you are on your little piece of heaven, the garden is growing, the animals are healthy but you feel like crying and find yourself wanting to throw rocks at the goats.

True long-term, chronic, clinical depression requires physician care, but what about those times when a normal, homesteading gal or guy gets in a mental slump. Depression occurs usually as result of stress and anxiety.  The stress related neurotransmitters and hormones become depleted and we just can't feel good. In women, the hormonal changes associated with menstruation and menopause can cause feelings of depression.  Symptoms can include:

Change in apppetite or sleep patterns
Loss of interest in previously pleasurable activities
Inability to pay attention, loss of focus
Crying
Irritability
Fatigue or malaise

So what do we do?  Most important is to realize that generally you will get back to normal; however, symptoms that last more than a couple of weeks should be checked out by your doctor or nurse practitioner.

Take a day to pamper yourself.  It might mean a trip to town, or a hike up a mountain, or a day of sitting around in your nightclothes eating mashed potatoes.  Whatever helps you feel nurtured and safe.  Take time to "escape" with a good book or movie.

Set small, attainable goals.  Three is good, but if that is overwhelming go for one. Write them down and do them.  Stick with your daily routiones.

Eat healthy and drink enough water. Get moving.  Exercise helps stimulate the body to renew itself.  Herbs can be useful for relaxation and when sleep patterns are out of whack.

Have a good cry if it helps you.  I have a family member who swears by getting in the shower and bawling.  She says it always makes her feel better.  It would just give me a headache, but to each his own.

Try to determine if there could be an underlying cause for stress or anxiety.  For me recently it was a suddenly, unexpectedly empty nest.  Ladies, keep an eye on your menstrual cycle. If you're like me and don't take time to keep up with such things, monthly "blues" can sneak up on you.  Maybe you're trying to be super-homesteader and pushing yourself too hard.  Slow down, pat yourself on the back for what you have accomplished and realize that even if you haven't done all you've set out to do, you're still ahead of folks who enjoy breakfast from McDonalds on the freeway and evenings with MTV.

Turn to your faith.  For those of us who acknowledge a Higher Power, prayer and scripture can be very comforting.  If you're not a religious person, maybe a quiet time of meditation would be beneficial.  One of the most calming things I can do is go sit with the goats.

Find someone to talk to.  Admit that you're just not doing so well.  Granted, this can be a challenge when, like a lot of us, our families think we're temporarily insane anyway and would likely advise us to move to town, get on cable and rejoin the real world.  Use the internet if it's available to connect with other homesteaders.  If you don't have access to the internet, advertise for a homesteading pen pal.  If you have a spouse or partner, let them know that you're in a bit of a slump but that you expect to get better.  Ask for their support and understanding. Ask them to gently remind you if, after a week or two, you're not better so you can possibly seek a higher level of care.

Life is full of ups and downs, and life on the homestead doesn't exempt us from this.  Be good to yourself and know that, more than likely, "this too shall pass."