DON’T GIVE UP
All of us have felt sad or depressed at one time or another in our lives. “ I’m feeling low……”, have you ever said this to your friends or family? For most of us depression is just transitory mood, a passing phase; but when it prevents you from living normal lives or you are constantly accompanied by feelings of intense sadness, it is something to worry about. There are common symptoms of clinical depression.
A sense of fatigue, exhaustion or low energy levels almost everyday.
Constant feelings of worthlessness or guilt.
Lack of concentration, inability to take firm decisions.
Excessive sleeping or lack of sleep.
Refusal to take interest in family or community.
Recurring thoughts of death or suicide.
A sense of restlessness.
Significant weight loss or gain.
Experts says that if you have even five of these symptoms, you might be suffering from severe depression. There are well known depression triggers like trauma, grief, financial troubles, unemployment, bereavement, injury, failure, loss. Most likely depression is caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental and psychological factors. Its almost as if you are in a black tunnel with no light. With the help of medications and self help books we can surely overcome depression and sadness.
DISTRACT YOURSELF
You may be going through crucial period. It will be always tough to push yourself. But try to participate in activities that keep you active and moving. Participation is always a good distraction. Always look for something that make you laugh whenever you are feeling down. Revise your happy memories, best moments. You never know how drastically your mood will change with memory of happiness you felt at that time. Good music will bring out hidden rockstar in you. Hear your favorite song. Sing along with it like no one’s listening. Feel the song and move your body. Dance like you give a damn even if someone’s watching. Write down your feelings everyday. Make a list of things that make you happy. Do try to avoid the things that puts you down. You will be surprised after few days with transparency of your thoughts. Read a good book. Reading takes you to places which u never knew existed in your mind. Read self help books which forces your brain to think more positively. If you have a hobby for painting, gardening, playing instruments, cooking throw yourself into them. Keep your mind active and productive as it is wisely said an idle minds the devils playground. Idleness is a sin that leads to other greater sins. Idleness leads to boredom, laziness which can be a serious matter. Without work, there is no purpose in person’s life. Without something to do a person fills his spare time surrendering himself to all negative emotions. Instead move your heart to your family, relatives, friends all those loved ones whom you failed to respond in depression. Choose one prayer, any verse that appeals to you. Recite it as many times as you can. Divine vibrations will help you rediscover yourself.
CONNECT WITH FRIENDS
It doesn’t hurt to talk to your friends about your feelings if you are entirely comfortable. Go to your favorite eating place with your friend. Even though you not upto eating make sure to have some food instead of starving. Eat even if its just a small portion of food. Binge on your favorite food. Keep your blood sugar high and keep your body energized. Always have a happy diet that gives you satisfaction as well as keeps you healthy. Invite your friends, prepare or order some snacks and drinks, put on your all time favorite movie. Have a movie marathon. In other words don’t make your feel like caged bird. Always remember we are born free. Spread your wings, break free from negative emotions. Strive to have friends, for life without friends is like a desert island… to find one real friend in a lifetime is a good fortune and to keep him is a blessing.
DON’T GIVE UP
Drag yourself out of your bed and start your day brightly. Of course there are daily errands to attend but there are few things that require your personal attention. Groom yourself as if the day belongs to you. Instead of wearing same pattern of clothes, try out some new style. Not only you will enjoy new look but innovative ideas will give you hope. Hope will let you again see ‘future positive possibly ‘ of your life. And if you suffer from deep ongoing depression, seek out and get help. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. President Abraham Lincoln battled depression and suicide all his adult life. There were times when for his own safety Lincoln would not allow himself to carry a knife, for fear that he would hurt himself or worse. Repeat magic words when you feel prisoned in weak moments, “this time too shall pass away.” Don’t forget that you are human so its okay to have a melt down. Just don’t panic and live there. You are allowed to scream, you are allowed to cry but do not give up.
EXERCISE
Keep your body moving which will also distract your self-loathing and self-pity thoughts. By taking care of your body and shaping it through exercise you will increase your happy hormones. Nearly everyone who has experienced supreme difficulty exercising while depressed. There are some form of exercise that aren’t really exercise. Meeting a friend for a walk can have dual benefits, it will be moderate physical activity as well as casual socializing. Plus, being out walking can take edge off any feelings of anxiety or fatigue. Gardening as part of daily moderate physical exercise has a profound impact on treating and preventing depression. This activity has added advantage of being able to see the results of your efforts, which can be great motivator. Dogs are known to have lot of infectious energy and they need to run off everyday. So why not combine energy with a pet companion with daily stroll in park. In short exercise gives you back control of your bodies and this is often the first stage of feeling in control of other events.
WALK WITH NATURE
Go out for walk in open environment away from noise and pollution. Notice the things around while taking a walk. Pray to god, mediate on nature, walk around a beautiful park or up a hillock, travel to a scenic spot or a hill station, admire nature, examine a flower, a petal, a stem, a blade of grass. Every flower, every petal, every stem is a model of perfection and hold the secret of nature. Beauty and perfection of nature cast a magical spell. Sometimes just soaking up some sunshine, breathing fresh air, feeling your toes in the grass can provide relief from depression symptoms. Being near water may help you to notice problems lighter and less stressful. Throwing off shoes and soaking feet in cold fresh water helps more then weeks of therapies. Start finding ways to get outdoors each day. Try yoga and meditation or try taking your workout outside. Reedy says, “The silence of nature quiets the mind and offers a person the opportunity to get in touch with the core of the self.”
Just keep your head high up and keep breathing. Let life be beautiful in spite of the world. Live up to your inheritance. Never ever give up.
