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Depression - 4 Daily Essentials

After almost a year of searching for, testing and developing practices to eliminate depression, I've come up with the most essential 4 that has the greatest impact. I'll keep this really simple. 1. Start the morning right (5-minutes) State out loud: I am the maker of my good day Make a list of 3 positive things you a thankful in your life Make a daily to-do list of 3 items (must, optional, just for me) Commit to make the day count for you (learn something, feel progress) 2. Reset when unwanted thoughts, events, whatever happens Make a list of 5-minute activities (water plants, load dish washer, sort laundry, send a message to a friend, walk around the block, window shop online for something specific, have a cup of tea, meditate, listen to a song/talk/audio book, etc.) Whenever you sense the onset of a downward feeling (usually a gut or heart squeeze) nip it immediately by doing one of the items from your list 3. Take a 15-minute 'me time' Create a playlist of meditation

Depression after beliefs shatter

It occurred to me that after the January 6th riot, many of the people who truly believe they have been cheated by the system can fall into depression. It is like their whole world crumble. They may feel abandoned as human beings. I'm not talking about the rioters that were looking for an opportunity to cause havoc. I'm talking about those who cried while stating that they have no option but resort to extreme measures. Regardless of what our political views are, we cannot forget that behind the scenes are real people with real feelings. The effect of facing with our beliefs being destroyed is like a glass castle crumbling to pieces. People will feel lost, purposeless, discredited, ousted, ostracized, looked down on, and a host of other things. Many will fall into depression and some into deep depression. How are we going to help those who will fall into hopelessness, helplessness, despair? The burden to heal so many will fall on all of us because mental health professionals will

Depression perpetuated by Guilt

Spurred by someone I care about, this post is for all those who battle the unending guilt experienced during depression periods. Guilt is a very real and debilitating but completely useless feeling. It stops us from moving forward by blocking rational thinking on options for and ability to act. Why I say perpetuating? Here is a typical chain of thoughts I lived through that rendered me completely unable to think or act. (Remember, by definition, depression is, among other things, the inability to carry out everyday tasks.) The kitchen needs cleaning up (stuff put away, dishes washed). It can wait. - the mind is trying to find a way out of doing I'm too tired to clean up the kitchen. - the mind is trying to rationalize why not to act This is such a small thing but I can't bring myself to do it. - I'm just lazy... GUILT sets in I should find something useful to do. - searching for a way to eliminate feeling lazy I just can't get myself moving. - what's wrong with me?