Many people these days are struggling with the blues, in one form or another. This feeling is often compounded in the winter time when there is less sunshine. Many people seek relief using prescription anti-depressants; and others seek it with alcohol, and other recreational drugs. Most people who are taking antidepressants, and recreational drugs do not need to medicate themselves to feel better. Most people can find a way out through natural means. We will discuss a few of these methods in a minute, but first, what is clinical-depression?
Most doctors believe that clinical-depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. While this is true in some cases such as manic-depressives, and psychotics, who need medication; most depressives can be helped without antidepressants. Antidepressants tend to suppress the emotions which makes most users feel like robots that are incapable of feeling. They seldom help as intended and leave the user feeling empty as well as depressed. If you are one of these folks, put down your Prozac and try some of these remedies.
Cut back on your sugar intake. We all know what sugar does to children; well adults are no different. Sugar provides a lift for a short time but also induces a mood crash after it burns off.
Find ways to externalize your thoughts. Many people suffering from depression spend too much time thinking about themselves. This is the breeding ground for all sorts of negative thoughts and feelings such as worry, feelings of inferiority, and stress. The cure for this is to find things to do to get you to think of something besides yourself. This could be a hobby, working as a volunteer, painting, writing, or any number of things. The important thing is to find something that you really like to do, and go do it.
Get some exercise. This really ties in with externalizing your thoughts, but also provides other benefits such as producing endorphins, and other mood lifting chemicals in the brain. You don't have to be a workout warrior to get the benefits. Go for a walk, or light jog every other day, that will do wonders for your over all feeling of well being.
If you live in a northern climate take extra vitamin D during the winter time. In the winter very few people get the amount of vitamin D they need. Less sun means less vitamin D production in your body, so you need to account for this. If you have a job where you get very little sun you should also be taking vitamin D supplements.
Open the spiritual channels to your higher self. Man is a spiritual being living in a physical body. If the ego becomes too distant from the spiritual self, depression is often the result. Try to take a few minutes each day to open yourself to spirit. This can be done in any number of ways such as meditation, contemplation, and prayer. I personally like to take a few moments to sing the HU during the course of the day, and before bed. HU is the secret and powerful name of God which makes a marvelous mantra to reconnect with spirit. Just fill yourself with love by thinking about someone you love, and sing HU (pronounced Hugh). As I said there are many ways to open yourself to spirit, you just need to find the best one for you.
If you are suffering from the blues, or are clinical depressive, you will find that many of these techniques will help and improve your quality of life.
Most doctors believe that clinical-depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. While this is true in some cases such as manic-depressives, and psychotics, who need medication; most depressives can be helped without antidepressants. Antidepressants tend to suppress the emotions which makes most users feel like robots that are incapable of feeling. They seldom help as intended and leave the user feeling empty as well as depressed. If you are one of these folks, put down your Prozac and try some of these remedies.
Cut back on your sugar intake. We all know what sugar does to children; well adults are no different. Sugar provides a lift for a short time but also induces a mood crash after it burns off.
Find ways to externalize your thoughts. Many people suffering from depression spend too much time thinking about themselves. This is the breeding ground for all sorts of negative thoughts and feelings such as worry, feelings of inferiority, and stress. The cure for this is to find things to do to get you to think of something besides yourself. This could be a hobby, working as a volunteer, painting, writing, or any number of things. The important thing is to find something that you really like to do, and go do it.
Get some exercise. This really ties in with externalizing your thoughts, but also provides other benefits such as producing endorphins, and other mood lifting chemicals in the brain. You don't have to be a workout warrior to get the benefits. Go for a walk, or light jog every other day, that will do wonders for your over all feeling of well being.
If you live in a northern climate take extra vitamin D during the winter time. In the winter very few people get the amount of vitamin D they need. Less sun means less vitamin D production in your body, so you need to account for this. If you have a job where you get very little sun you should also be taking vitamin D supplements.
Open the spiritual channels to your higher self. Man is a spiritual being living in a physical body. If the ego becomes too distant from the spiritual self, depression is often the result. Try to take a few minutes each day to open yourself to spirit. This can be done in any number of ways such as meditation, contemplation, and prayer. I personally like to take a few moments to sing the HU during the course of the day, and before bed. HU is the secret and powerful name of God which makes a marvelous mantra to reconnect with spirit. Just fill yourself with love by thinking about someone you love, and sing HU (pronounced Hugh). As I said there are many ways to open yourself to spirit, you just need to find the best one for you.
If you are suffering from the blues, or are clinical depressive, you will find that many of these techniques will help and improve your quality of life.
4 comments:
Great advice!!
Hi gayle! Thank you, please tell others.
I went out and bought Vitamin D :). Great post, Mike. It needs wider publication.
Adnohr
I would have to disagree with you to a certain extent. Yes, some of those things you mentioned CAN indeed help elevate one's mood and AUGMENT the treatment of depression (in conjunction with their medication regimen) - but encouraging someone to abandon their antidepressants if they are legitimately prescribed for a mood disorder (namely, depression) is IRRESPONSIBLE. A special note: Bipolar disorder (we mental health professionals don't refer to it as "manic depression" anymore - that's passe) and any of the psychotic disorders are diagnostically different from a diagnosis of depression (Major Depressive Disorder, Dysthymia, etc...).
I hate to break it to you, but a diagnosis of depression CAN actually mean a LEGITIMATE chemical imbalance. Did you know that early childhood trauma can actually CHANGE the neurochemistry in the brain? (Leading to depression later in life). The same is true for those who suffer from PTSD and Depression comorbidly. The trauma can actually alter one's brain chemistry - if you don't believe me - go ahead and talk to a few combat veterans and see how their "depression" feels - and then tell THEM to stop taking their meds.
I would tread very carefully if you're not a mental health professional - you could be doing more harm than good. I would change the "flavor" of your post and say that the things you suggested are "additional" ways to deal with depression (because I'm not disputing that they are helpful). But telling someone, "Put down your Prozac..." is a dangerous thing to do. If you ARE a mental health professional - then you would KNOW better than to ever give advice about medications unless you are a prescribing professional.
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