Conquering Depression

If your life is not going the way that you want it to, it might be really tempting to stop and let the imperfections slide.  After all, no one has a perfect life, right?  The truth of the matter is that while no one has a perfect life, you’ll find that yours can get a lot better!  Do you have habits or destructive thought patterns that are holding you back?  Have you noticed that there are some real problems that keep coming up again and again in your life?  If this is the case, you will find that self-improvement is something that you want to pursue and that it is really not nearly as distant as you might think it is.

When you are looking to improve yourself, you will find that it all starts with change, namely a change in your environment.  Remember that we are, at least to some degree, the product of the world that we live in.  Because we all live on Earth, we are all subject to Earth’s gravitational pull, and because you live the way that you do, there is a good chance that something there is influencing you on the way that you live.  Our environments cue us when it comes to our taking action, and if the actions that you are taking are not the ones that are conducive to living a good life, take a look at the cues and learn and what you can do to get rid of them.

The next important step is to learn new kinds of behavior.  Maybe the problems that you have been experiencing all have to do with engaging in a certain kind of behavior that you know is wrong or that is harmful to you in the long run.  After you have learned that this behavior is wrong, the key is to change it.  This is of course, easier said than done, but at the end of the day, you might find that it is quite straightforward.  When you are looking to make sure that you stop an old destructive behavior, take a look at replacing it with some sort of positive behavior.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
by Stephen R. Covey
Amazon Price: $9.57
Customer Review: This is a must have book for anyone that likes self-help or business books. I read it several years ago and felt it was the like the Bible of all self-help books. I lost my copy so I bought it again an...

A New Earth (Oprah's Book Club)
by Eckhart Tolle
Amazon Price: $7.94
Customer Review: What an awful waste of time! I feel like I have been swindled by the author. This is not new and it is not informative. I think what most people need to do to "awaken" is to simply take responsibility for ...

It's All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff
by Peter Walsh
Amazon Price: $10.17
Customer Review: Viewers of TLC's Clean Sweep already know Peter Walsh, but he brings his guidance to the masses in an accessible, sensible book. All kinds of households - spouses, partners, roommates, families with kids...


Newsfeed display by CaRP

Finally, when you are looking to make sure that you are going to get rid of your negative behavior forever, you will find to get started is to work on controlling these behaviors.  For instance, say that you are trying to give up smoking.  While there are many ways to do this, you may find that you can limit your smoking to a certain circumstance, or a certain location.  If you are someone who is constantly getting worried, you may only wish to really allow yourself to engage in worry in a specific location.  Over time, this will have the effect of making you associate that location with the act and when you are not in that location, you will disregard the destructive act as well.

In many cases, the things we live with are excusable and not serious, but if you really want to turn your life around, it is important to look at the changes that you can make.  Remember that you are the one that is in control and take the time to really consider what goals you have always wanted to attain!

changelife
4 Jan 2009 at 12:12am



Three and out - What would you do for 10 years' pay?
17 Apr 2008 at 10:27am



Three and Out What would you do for 10 years' pay? 9 till 5
17 Apr 2008 at 10:20am




Newsfeed display by CaRP

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

It seems simple for people not suffering from anxiety to point out what needs to be done to those who do suffer. How many times have you heard, “Just snap out of it!” “What are you worried about?” “Don’t worry, be happy!”  Trying to stay positive can be tiring for someone who is stressed, and depressed. 

Being anxious over obstacles life throws in our way is normal. You can get upset just thinking about it!  Sometimes, that is the trouble. We dwell on problems before they even exist. When you miss the enjoyment of life due to dwelling on the “what if” it is time to take action. No one is trying to say that your fear is unreasonable. Look for the underlying cause of your fears, and learn to realize that most of the pressure we feel comes from within.

Are you sitting there in the dark, reading this by the light of the computer screen? Get up! [After you read this] and turn some lights on! What we surround ourselves with reflects how we feel inside. Try wearing brighter colors if you are stuck in a rut of dressing all in black. If you usually dress as though you are going to a funeral, switching to a less drab wardrobe will certainly lift your spirits.

You may be tired of hearing this but exercise is the best medicine you can give your body. Start walking just 20 minutes a day. Exercising improves your energy level, and helps you feel better almost immediately. Staying active during the day helps you to rest at night. If yoga is not your cup of tea, drink green tea before going to bed. Not getting enough sleep is a valid reason behind being on edge. No wonder you are a nervous wreck if you have been awake since Hilary quit the campaign.

Lock yourself in the bathroom, if you have to, and take a hot, bubble bath. What is the worse thing that could happen? Your family may report you missing, but you will deal with them in a calm rational matter after your long soak in the tub.

It is human nature to panic when we must face everyday challenges. Overloading on soda, chocolate, and coffee produces a sugar high that causes you to be jittery. Moderation is the key to a healthy diet.   

Practice seeing yourself through the event that is causing your anxiety. Whatever you are dreading; focus on the positive outcome of your actions. Take deep breaths to release immediate signs of tension. Hyperventilating does not count!          

Herbal therapy is an effective remedy for anxiety. Passion Flower is an herb that calms your nerves. It is also helpful with high blood pressure, and acts as a painkiller. The treatment contains antidepressant properties used for anxiety disorders. Lemon balm, when combined with other ingredients like Valerian, chamomile, or lavender, helps reduce anxiety. Using these therapies releases endorphins, which is nature’s way of helping you feel better.

Easy relaxation techniques such as stretching, and humming, can lower blood pressure, and supports the immune system. People who are experiencing symptoms of depression that has lasted continually over a period of time should seek a doctor. Do not give up on yourself! There is hope to relieve your anxiety.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Depression help is being sought by more people than ever. There seems to be a very strange dichotomy in our society. On the one hand we are more successful, wealthier, longer lived, and technologically advanced than ever before. On the other hand, we are riddled with emotional pain and suffering, confusion and despair.

What’s going on here? Why are so many people in need of depression help when we know we have the best economy, the best technology, the best medicine, and the most leisurelylifestyles in history?

Well, let’s think about it. We are truly in the midst of a transition. Our economy is changing, so what once was a secure, good-paying job is now an easy way out the door. Our technology is rapidly developing, so that we need a brand new computer every year and a half, and we can’t keep up with the features on our cell phones. Decency and taste seem to now be considered passe by Hollywood and TV. We seem to be racing down a river coming up at us too fast.

Surely some of the many changes are wondrous. But which ones? Human beings are great at adaptation, yet at the very same time we are fearful of too much change too fast. Now, is rapid change the cause, or even the main cause, of depression? Probably not. But it’s onecontributing factor.

The important thing is to recognize that depression treatment does not need to come from drugs. This does not mean that drugs are never useful for treating depression. But they are OVER prescribed. That’s all. There are plenty of times when we can take personal action to alleviate the terrible symptoms of depression.

We use drugs to treat many, many debilitating things in our society because we act like we can’t comprehend where these problems really come from. Sometimes, that’s true. But also a great deal of the time we can, in fact, determine where problems like depression come from, and we can use non-drug treatments as a result.

If you think you may be falling into our already afflicted with depression, consider the following.

* Eat a good, healthy diet. If you’re not sure what that means, read up on health publications in print and on the Internet, and find out if your local radio stations feature any health talk. A healthy diet is one that is nutritious, not one that makes you feel underfed.

* Make sure you are getting 6-8 hours of sleep every single night. Our society has downplayed the importance of rest, seeing it as the sign of the “lazy” and the antithesis of our high-energy world. This is nonsense and can lead to serious health problems–yes, including feelings of depression.

* Don’t fall into isolation. People who are feeling depressed tend to go into themselves and become isolated–yet, this is typically just leads to MORE feelings of depression. Talk to other people about your feelings. If need be, join a support group.

* Think deeply about your goals. What are your hopes and dreams? What do you burn with a desire to accomplish before your earthly days are gone? Often depression wells up from a lack of a feeling of purpose. Renew your sense of purpose.

Depression help need not be drugs. Start with the simple things, and see how you can prevent or treat depression by paying attention to the way you live your life.

Marvin Gaye - Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)
6 Jan 2009 at 6:22pm



Daily video #25 (Accutane pages are live!)
6 Jan 2009 at 5:51pm



1 down; 945 to go...
6 Jan 2009 at 3:37pm




Newsfeed display by CaRP

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Depression is a dis-ease that can “creep up on ya”. We need to realize in our society that depression is not only a legitimate disease, it’s one that is seriously under-diagnosed in the real sense. I don’t mean to say that everyone who cries “depression!” really suffers from it. We’ve got a society that’s filled with too much drinking, too many drugs, and too much stress. Depression doesn’t come from those things (although I want to make clear that if you already are depressed, those things can exacerbate your problem).

If we think about it, there are many reasons to become depressed. That doesn’t mean that depression is “okay” in the sense of being normal, and it doesn’t mean that life is anything less than a beautiful miracle. What I mean is, there are just a lot of circumstances and situations that can cloud our vision all to easily, and make us forget the beauty of life quickly. Some people–and I’m talking about people who are not suffering from any kind of clinical depression–can start feeling low just because it’s a rainy day. Well, what if you have personal situations that are making even sunny days “rainy days” for you?

Job stress…and how about hating your job?…romantic relationship stress…your children having problems…the network news!…a physical ailment…a long-time dream that seems to be getting farther and farther away from reality for any number of reasons…general human inconsiderateness and rudeness…the list goes on and on.

Now, if it’s just one or a couple of those things, you may tell yourself, “I’m a strong, responsible person. I can handle those things.” But what if it’s an avalanche of those things? And what if it turns out that you are blessed with heightened sensitivity? You could be more susceptible to becoming depressed.

Yet, ultimately depression is a dark-winged mystery. We never know for certain who may become depressed. That’s why it’s an over-medicated dis-ease. Those medications for it work, but they only work once in a while…and they usually come with negative side-effects, too.

If you’re finding yourself maybe feeling depressed, consider some of the following…

* Why not try to make your life simpler? “Keep your accounts on your thumbnail,” as Henry David Thoreau wrote. This may well be easier said than done, but the process of beginning it itself could alleviate your depression.

* Think about writing down your feelings in a journal, or as poetry. If you have a gift for visual arts, why not try doing sketches, ink drawings, paintings? If you can play an instrument, perhaps compose a song. It is often the case that what we need more than anything is expression of our feelings in a focused way. Day to day life often fails to give us an outlet or setting for that. You can then share these deeply personal expressions with others to keep yourself from going inward, which is the last thing you need if you may be depressed.

* Think about your physical life. Are you truly eating right? Eating enough? Are you getting excessive amounts of caffeine or alcohol? Are you getting sufficient physical exercise?

Don’t let depression creep up on ya if you can help it.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!