DEPRESSION
Have you ever experienced depression? I don't mean feeling a little down. I mean deep depression where a flat tire or a
nuclear war have the same effect on you and your brain. I lived with that kind of depression for over
2 decades.
I found things that helped ME and in the last 3 years I have
not had one episode of depression.
First, and I'm only talking about me, not you or anyone else. Medication never worked for me. It took the edge off a little but I never
felt normal or not depressed.
The first thing I discovered was that when I went outside in
the sun, my depression lifted. It didn't
go away but it lifted. However, it was
so tough just getting dressed and going outside. I would have to make myself even though I
knew it would make me feel better. When you are depressed you just prefer a
dark room all by yourself.
The second thing I discovered was that exercise really made
a difference. Any kind of exercise. Again, when you are in a depressed state,
going out and exercising is difficult.
But when you do it, the endorphins release in your brain and it does
lift the depression. When I first
started an exercise routine back in 2000, I was amazed how my depression
lifted. I had never had the success with
medication that I got during that year of exercise.
And the last thing I discovered was about 3 years ago. I had long periods of depression and then
times when it was there but not so bad.
I could feel myself start spiraling into that black abyss. It was just so easy to slide down into the
darkness. I made a conscious decision
that I was going to fight the spiraling.
When I would start spiraling I would isolate myself. Stop communicating with my friends. Stay inside unless I had to go out, like
work. And then to get out of the bottom
of that pit, I'd have to fight and claw my way back out. It's a vicious cycle.
When I would feel a spiral coming on, I made myself contact
my friends. I made myself go
outside. I would tell myself, "You
can spiral for only 24 hours and then you have to start interacting
again." Was it easy? NO.
Did it always end after 24 hours?
Not in the beginning.
But I started doing it.
Each time a spiraling event happened, it got easier and lasted less
time. One day I realized that I had not
had a spiraling incident in over a year.
Now it has been over 2 years. I
truly believe I retrained my brain.
Now, that I am jogging, I find that being out and exercising
has helped me even more. When I'm hurt
or mad, I think about going out and jogging.
Even when my ex-husband, Jim, passed away, it was different. Yes, I'm still grieving and I'm very
sad. But I'm NOT depressed.
I'm not saying people shouldn't take anti-depressants. You should do what works for you. But while you take medication, try going
outside. Try exercising. I prefer holistic approaches to chemical
ones. That is just me. But even when I take medication, I try
holistic approaches too.
I can tell you that these 3 things have made such a positive
difference in my life. Maybe they will
help you too.
copyrighted 2014
caryn cannatella
Skinny Fiber Sales:
www.caryncann.com
