Depression for Spiritual or Alternative Minded Folks
Depression doesn’t just happen to weak dysfunctional people – it happens to EVERYONE.
Depression is not a ‘mood’. It will not pass. Depression is a sustained state of being that effects EVERYTHING in your world – not just your emotions.
Depression means that you’ve been under a ton of stress. If part of that stress is changes you’ve made in yourself or in your life, then for sure, those changes contribute to that stress. But depression is NOT a bad omen. It is NOT a warning to ‘repent’, that you’ve done anything ‘wrong’ or that you’ve taken the ‘wrong’ or ‘dark’ path. It is not a magickal or mystical affliction or curse. It is NOT a sign of ANYTHING other than your mind and body are overtaxed.
Depression is not something that you just have to wait out though. Learning to handle depression is a skill set. Everyone NEEDS this skill set but it is rarely taught and no one is really interested in learning it till they are depressed… and then they don’t feel like actually doing anything. It is VITAL that you learn this skill set. Once you learn it, you’ll be prepared and when/if depression happens, you’ll know exactly how to bring yourself back around. Just like any skill set, practice makes perfect. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again! 
You know you’ve learned it and got it down when you notice the signs of depression and automatically start doing the stuff to make yourself feel better – just as a natural cause and effect process – “I’m noticing I’m not functioning well and so I’m going to take these steps”.
Why Depression Happens
Depression is the inevitable result of mental emotional overload. That is the only reason depression happens and it will happen EVERY time someone is too overwhelmed. Yes, you can be genetically predisposed and yes, it can be a learned habit – but it ONLY happens in the brain when the brain is too overwhelmed to sustain ‘unnecessary’ processes. There is only so much to go around and so when worse comes to worse, brain spends that on keeping you breathing and keeping your heart pumping. Other systems get shut out in the cold… like the feel good chemical processes.
Long term depression can cause actual changes in the brain that make it more and more difficult to recover. It is IMPERATIVE that when you notice depression, you take steps to alleviate it.
Things that can add up to depression :
Every situation that you experience can potentially add up into depression. This is list is a list of common stressors. The more stressors you are experiencing, the higher your risk for depression.
* Death – of a pet, friend, family member, mentor
* Job – change, loss, promotion
* Relationship – engagement, marriage, divorce, separation, big fight
* Home – move, huge repair, foreclosure
* Money – not enough, big expenses
* Personal – dealing with past trauma, seeing yourself in a new way
* Health – illness, injury
And SO MANY more…
Signs of Depression :
* You are far more likely to get sick and might find that you are ‘under the weather’ a lot more
* You have low or no energy – you dont ‘feel like’ doing anything
* less concerned about your physical appearance or hygiene
* thinking about death or dying more frequently – or even killing yourself
* less social than usual.. maybe feeling like a hermit
* big changes in sleep and eating needs – less or more
* increased negative, sad or pessimistic thoughts
* more short tempered or moody
How to Feel Better Quickly
Just because you’re feeling bad doesn’t mean you are depressed and just because you are feeling ok doesn’t mean you are not depressed. Depression is a state of being that takes more than a few good minutes to break out of. These are ways to FEEL BETTER – not to END DEPRESSION. See below for ending the depression once you feel better.
Depression is not something you can just ‘get over’ or ’suck up’. Keeping your chin up does not make it ANY better. The only way to get through depression is to support your mind and body while you attempt to process the stress you are under. Giving your mind and body EXTRA support while you are under stress WILL make you feel better.
The longer you have been depressed, the harder you will need to push to feel better – but once you feel better, it’s down to maintenance.
The catch is that when you are depressed, your mind is often no longer attracted to the idea of taking care of yourself. Try thinking of taking care of your mind and body from the third person rather than thinking about ‘taking care of yourself’. This often makes it easier to ‘go through the motions’ and do what needs to be done rather than being ’self sacrificing’, as is common when someone is depressed.
The way you support your mind and body when you are dealing with tons of stress is by :
* eat a healthy (fairly balanced) diet and eat when you NEED it, not when you WANT it. You might need to eat MORE if your mind and body are overtaxed.
* make yourself get some fresh air and sun every day – even if it’s only to sit on a bench somewhere
* give your brain and body extra fuel by taking vitamin supplements
* make yourself get up and move every single day… clean the house, do some stretching, walk to the mailbox – anything, as much as possible.
* consider taking anxiety reducing or mood enhancing supplements (see below)
* consider taking an immune system booster every few days
* include things in your daily life that make you smile such as : crafting, sports, watching funny movies or favorite music. Include them FAR MORE than you would ordinarily.
* get yourself into a steady sleep routine. Go to bed at the same time every night, take a sleep supplement if needed.
Mood enhancing supplements :
* St Johns Wort
* 5HTP
Anxiety reducing supplements
* Magnesium
* Omega 3 and Omega 6 combo – about 3000 mg of EACH per day (I know.. that’s a lot of pills)
* Hylands homeopathic anxiety remedy (Henrys or Walmart)
How to End Depression
The only way to really end a bout with depression is to find a way to come to terms with the stressors so that they are no longer sources of stress. This can be via heavy introspection, counseling, energy healing or talking to a friend. If you discover you are depressed, the ONLY way to end the depression is to do this stuff. Make yourself FEEL better asap (see above) – and then PLEASE, talk to someone to get help.
If you are prone to depression or have been depressed for a matter of years rather than weeks or months, it’s possible that the initial reason for your depression, although possibly long since resolved caused a long enough depression to actually cause change in your brain. You might look into medication. Some medications have been proven to help the brain regrow cells that died off as a result of long term depression. Talk to your doctor.
Here are some more resources :
Run through some depression checklists. Sometimes it takes different words to really believe or understand what you’re dealing with.
Referrals : I can refer you to practitioners in this area including spirituality or metaphysical friendly counselors, hypnotists, energy healers, psychologists and psychiatrists
Recovery Inc - learn another way of looking at depression – as something that is within your control. Learn how to talk yourself down and learn a way of being completely responsible for your state of mind. Highly recommended if you are prone to depression or anxiety.
This article is in no way shape or form a diagnosis tool or a medical opinion. If in doubt, talk to your doctor.
