Depression is not a weakness.
CLICK HERE to watch this a short, surprising and inspirational video featuring Dwayne Johnson opening up about one serious bout of depression in his life.
Just Breathe
There is so much going on in the world – wars, major earthquakes, political unrest... For years now things have been vibrating at an extraordinarily high frequency and keeping many of us agitated.
It's crucial to regularly still your mind, even for short intervals. But it's difficult when you're on the computer at work and in your “down” time. So much information and stimulation constantly. Just breathing is wonderful!
Simple breathing exercises will do. Breathe deeply. Hold that for a few seconds. Release.
Calm your thoughts.
Repeat for a few minutes.
Psych Central
For over 25 years PsychCentral has been a trove of information. It's a great website!
Here's a short article from 2016: 12 Ways to Shut Off Your Brain Before Bedtime.
Simple but proven tips like to turn off all of your screens 2 hours before bedtime. If only...
A Holistic Approach
“After years of experience dealing with anxiety, low-self esteem, an unfulfilling life path, I realized that my mental wellness was so much more than mental health.
“A large portion of mental health is overcoming negative thinking patterns, practicing mindfulness, and going to therapy and taking medication if you need it.
“BUT it's also about taking care of your physical health, your dreams, nurturing your spirit, realizing your confidence and power, and so much more!
“That's why we also focus on personal development as part of a holistic approach to managing your anxiety.”
- the Mindaya blog
Self-Hatred Perspective
“‘What do you think about self-hatred?’ I asked when it was my turn to bring up an issue for discussion. I was eager to get directly to the suffering I had seen so often in my students, a suffering I was familiar with myself. The room went quiet as all of us awaited the answer of the Dalai Lama, revered leader of Tibetan Buddhism. Looking startled, he turned to his translator and asked pointedly in Tibetan again and again for an explanation. Finally, turning back to me, the Dalai Lama tilted his head, his eyes narrowed in confusion. ‘Self-hatred?’ he repeated in English. ‘What is that?’”
- Sharon Salzberg
CLICK HERE for full a list of Sharon Salzberg's philosophical influences.
The Winter Blues?
Per the Mayo Clinic:
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that's related to changes in seasons — seasonal affective disorder (SAD) begins and ends at about the same times every year. If you're like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. These symptoms often resolve during the spring and summer months. Less often, SAD causes depression in the spring or early summer and resolves during the fall or winter months.
Treatment for SAD may include light therapy (phototherapy), psychotherapy and medications.
Don't brush off that yearly feeling as simply a case of the "winter blues" or a seasonal funk that you have to tough out on your own. Take steps to keep your mood and motivation steady throughout the year.
Click HERE for detailed Mayo Clinic information on symptoms, causes, prevention and more.
Depression Defined
What is depression?
“Almost everyone feels down from time to time... Clinical depression is different.”
CLICK HERE to watch a short TED Talk video breaking down what depression is.
Get Help!
Get help.
If you just can't shake your depression and it's impacting your life, like causing you to miss work or avoid time with your family, get help!
But you've tried that before and it didn't work? Or you don't need help. Or you're afraid people will judge you. Or…
Drop the excuses and do this for you. Just for you. Get help.
The Love of Money is the Root of All Evil
I'm not sure that's the case, but money -- the need for money and the lack of it, the money game -- can get into your head and mess with your self esteem.
If that is an issue for you, just for January, make a budget and stick to it.
For 30 days. You can do anything for 30 days.
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