{"id":33621,"date":"2015-06-24T21:45:12","date_gmt":"2015-06-25T05:45:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/?p=33621"},"modified":"2015-06-28T22:53:22","modified_gmt":"2015-06-29T06:53:22","slug":"how-to-turn-your-depression-from-life-crushing-to-life-enhancing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/how-to-turn-your-depression-from-life-crushing-to-life-enhancing\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Turn Your Depression From Life-Crushing to Life-Enhancing"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;\" class=\"sharethis-inline-share-buttons\" ><\/div><p class=\"p1\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The alarm rings and you face the day with dread. You<\/span><span class=\"s2\">\u2019<\/span><span class=\"s1\">re sorry you woke up.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">There is nothing you look forward to, no light in the bleak darkness.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Friends are tired of hearing you moan and complain. Unless, of course, you<\/span><span class=\"s2\">\u2019<\/span><span class=\"s1\">ve kept up the cheery demeanor expected of you and no one really knows what you<\/span><span class=\"s2\">\u2019<\/span><span class=\"s1\">re experiencing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Either way, you<\/span><span class=\"s2\">\u2019<\/span><span class=\"s1\">re desperately lonely.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">You dream of pressing some delete button on your life to simply no longer exist. Suicide is not the option you want, but sometimes you wonder. And that thought scares you <\/span><span class=\"s2\">\u2013 <\/span><span class=\"s1\">sometimes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">It<\/span><span class=\"s2\">\u2019<\/span><span class=\"s1\">s bad. It<\/span><span class=\"s2\">\u2019<\/span><span class=\"s1\">s really bad.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Depression is a powerful energy lodged in your body. It can control your thoughts, moods and actions. It can control your life.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Yet you are the one holding this energy. That takes effort and stamina. As depression threatens your existence, can you actually use it to enhance your life? Can that same effort and stamina be used to observe your depression and let it guide you to see what changes in your life are needed?<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Consider taking one week &#8211; 7 days &#8211; and consciously take on your depression with gentle compassion. While this involves some effort, the intention is to take baby steps. You will use a set amount of time to bolster your body, your mind and your spirit &#8211; 17 minutes a day max. During the rest of the time, you will be consciously observing the relationship you have with your depression. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">A week may not completely change your life, but you can take baby steps to start the process.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>MAKE A DECISION NOW TO TAKE ON YOUR DEPRESSION<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">This is a huge decision to make, the hardest step. Maybe you<\/span><span class=\"s2\">\u2019<\/span><span class=\"s1\">ve made this decision before and it didn<\/span><span class=\"s2\">\u2019<\/span><span class=\"s1\">t work. You had big plans and a marathon schedule of self-improvement. But the reality of implementing all of it was too much.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Maybe you decided on a new approach of being strong, disciplined and happy. The New Improved You would go on forever. That only lasted a short while. It was a great idea, but perhaps lacking some support systems to ensure its success.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">That<\/span><span class=\"s2\">\u2019<\/span><span class=\"s1\">s ok. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">This time, take it slowly, in small steps. Try a finite moment in your life &#8211; one week. Put some support systems in place. Set small goals and take baby steps.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">See what happens.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>FOCUS ON YOUR DEPRESSION <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Don<\/b><\/span><span class=\"s2\">\u2019<\/span><span class=\"s1\"><b>t avoid it or ignore it. <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Get to know it. Be really &#8211; <i>really<\/i> &#8211; curious about it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Where in your body do you feel pain or discomfort when you experience depression? Direct your awareness to what is going on inside your body. Do you get headaches, shoulder tension or stomach issues?<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Now you know <i>where<\/i> you<\/span><span class=\"s2\">\u2019<\/span><span class=\"s1\">re feeling depression in your body. <i>How <\/i>does it feel? Leaden, trapped? Perhaps there is alternating anxiety, that caffeine overdose in the veins feeling?<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">What triggers the feelings of depression? Events, people, that inner damning voice we all have?<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">With gentle curiosity, listen to your internal dialogue (The Voice). Notice how The Voice in your mind creates your emotions. Watch how your emotions alter your moods. See how your moods affect your actions. Watch yourself going through the day and develop a conscious awareness of your depression. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The more you can describe your depression &#8211; what it feels like, where you experience it, what The Voice is saying, how that affects you &#8211; the more you can separate it as an entity which has entered your life. <b>It is not you. <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">If you like to write these details, do it. Or record it into your phone. Or draw it. At the very least, make a mental note of your relationship with depression. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>BOOST THE BODY (7-10 minutes max daily)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Depression is exhausting. It sucks the life out of you and clouds your judgment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Below are some points to consider for supporting your body:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>First of all <\/b><\/span><span class=\"s2\">\u2013 <\/span><span class=\"s1\"><b>go to sleep<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">You may know the amount you need. If you don<\/span><span class=\"s2\">\u2019<\/span><span class=\"s1\">t, start with 7-8 uninterrupted hours. Lack of sleep is a huge contributing factor to depression.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Schedule eating times<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Look at your week<\/span><span class=\"s2\">\u2019<\/span><span class=\"s1\">s calendar and schedule in when you eat &#8211; 3 meals a day is great, at regular times. Eat as healthy as you can &#8211; without going to extremes. This is baby steps week.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Schedule a few minutes of daily exercise<\/b>. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Do not go all-out and engage in an exercise marathon!<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>7-10 minutes is fine. (Remember <\/span><span class=\"s2\">\u2013 <\/span><span class=\"s1\">baby steps.) <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p4\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Schedule in <\/b><\/span><span class=\"s3\"><b>Bodywork<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">At the beginning of the week, see if you can get a session of body work. Massage, acupuncture, chiropractic <\/span><span class=\"s2\">\u2013 <\/span><span class=\"s1\">whatever you choose. It will help jump-start this process <\/span><span class=\"s2\">\u2013 <\/span><span class=\"s1\">like taking your car in for maintenance before a trip.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>MIND THE MIND (3-7 minutes max daily)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Give the mind a chance to quiet down, for at least a few minutes daily. This makes it possible to hear yourself think about what <i>you<\/i> want to feel.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Start slowly, in small increments. Consistent short periods, daily, at regularly-scheduled sessions will bolster your self confidence and clear your brain.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">ONE minute of non-thinking is an incredible <\/span><span class=\"s2\">\u2013 <\/span><span class=\"s1\">and attainable <\/span><span class=\"s2\">\u2013 <\/span><span class=\"s1\">goal! Later on when your mind is bombarded with a million thoughts <\/span><span class=\"s2\">\u2026 <\/span><span class=\"s1\">you can take a breath and simply remember that feeling of clarity.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>This will start to shift the overwhelm.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Try the following 3-7 Minute meditation practice:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">1. Turn your phone on airplane mode and set an alarm for 3-7 minutes. Set the alarm to a soothing sound, rather than hard beeps.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">2. Close your eyes and listen to your breathing. Notice how your body feels sitting in your chair. When you exhale, imagine yourself exhaling the tension.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">3. End your meditation when the alarm rings and congratulate yourself on a job well done.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Don<\/span><span class=\"s2\">\u2019<\/span><span class=\"s1\">t worry about your mind wandering during meditation. It happens. Just gently bring your focus back to your breathing when it does. If you<\/span><span class=\"s2\">\u2019<\/span><span class=\"s1\">re a beginner, you might try these guided meditations to get a hang of it:<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s4\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.yogajournal.com\/category\/meditation\/meditation-classes\/meditation-length\/\">http:\/\/www.yogajournal.com\/category\/meditation\/meditation-classes\/meditation-length\/<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">These may be the only minutes in your busy day when there is nothing you are obliged to do. Savor them. Breathe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>SUPPORT YOUR SPIRIT (you choose the amount of time)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Supporting your spirit elevates your moods, affecting your thoughts and even your body symptoms. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>One way to do this is to connect with nature. <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The beauty of nature soothes the spirit. Nature is alive and living, reminding us that life is in a constant cycle. Change is &#8211; literally &#8211; in the air. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Even if you live in an urban environment, you can take a few moments as you walk to your car, subway or bus. Look around you. There are clouds above you. There are plants and trees, which give off oxygen. Oxygen increases brain flow which helps move depression.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Again, make this a daily routine this week <\/span><span class=\"s2\">\u2013 <\/span><span class=\"s1\">consciously schedule it in.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Consider doing your daily exercise in nature.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Another way to support your spirit is to schedule in some joy<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Engage in at least one activity each day that brings you joy. It could be as simple as eating an ice cream cone, mindfully, savoring every last lick. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Maybe anonymously surprise someone &#8211; put a flower on a co-worker<\/span><span class=\"s2\">\u2019<\/span><span class=\"s1\">s desk.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Leave a big tip for a small cup of coffee. You are doing this with no expectation of their response. You just want to notice how it feels to bring pleasure to someone else.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>CONSIDER OUTSIDE SUPPORT<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Do you want a friend to keep you focused? Or a therapist to help make sense of the issues that contribute to your depression? Or a coach to spur you on to accomplish some of your goals?<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Open up to friends and colleagues (whom you trust and respect) for some referrals. Think about what that may look like &#8211; frequency during the week, time allotments. Consider what you want to address, and ways in which these sessions may be helpful.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">This may not be the week to get outside support, but it is a time to check in and see what you need. However &#8211; if you are feeling strong urges that it is necessary to get outside help, do it now.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p4\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>WHAT TO DO AFTER THE 7 DAYS<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p4\"><span class=\"s1\">Be pleased with any and all accomplishments you have made. Be patient with yourself if you fell off your schedule. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p4\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Consider these questions:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p4\"><span class=\"s1\">What have you observed about your relationship with depression?<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p4\"><span class=\"s1\">When did you feel your depression lift (even if only a little) <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p4\"><span class=\"s1\">What can you do differently with this relationship that will ease its effects on you?<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p4\"><span class=\"s1\">What do you want to add to your life and what do you want to decrease or eliminate? <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p4\"><span class=\"s1\">How do you want to continue supporting your body, your mind and your spirit?<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p4\"><span class=\"s1\">Do you want support with this?<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p4\"><span class=\"s1\">The questions are key. Know that they will guide you to making changes that will diminish the effects your depression has on you. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p4\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>GREAT CHANGES CAN START WITH SMALL STEPS<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">You are sensitive, you are intuitive, you are caring and insightful. The fact that you experience depression means that you are evolved enough to understand the dimensions of the human condition. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">You are a finely-tuned instrument tuning into frequencies that more obtuse people cannot comprehend.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Be gentle with yourself.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">And know this &#8211; the minute you decide to un-do some of the effects depression has on you, your entire world will change.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">For the better.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">And isn<\/span><span class=\"s2\">\u2019<\/span><span class=\"s1\">t that what you really want?<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">*******<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em><span class=\"s1\">THERESE SIBON is a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.TransformYourShit.com\">blogger<\/a> and alchemical acupuncturist with a busy practice in Manhattan and upstate NY.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>She believes suffering can be optional. <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.TransformYourShit.com\"><span class=\"s1\">www.TransformYourShit.com<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Depression is a powerful energy lodged in your body. It can control your thoughts, moods and actions. It can control your life. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/how-to-turn-your-depression-from-life-crushing-to-life-enhancing\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12163,"featured_media":33624,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[32,24,21,6],"tags":[4642,4641,1852,4416,66,4629],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v19.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How To Turn Your Depression From Life-Crushing to Life-Enhancing<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Depression is a powerful energy lodged in your body. It can control your thoughts, moods and actions. 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It can control your life.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/how-to-turn-your-depression-from-life-crushing-to-life-enhancing\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pickthebrain\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2015-06-25T05:45:12+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2015-06-29T06:53:22+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Screen-Shot-2015-06-24-at-6.37.17-PM.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"559\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"368\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@pickthebrain\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@pickthebrain\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Erin Falconer\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/how-to-turn-your-depression-from-life-crushing-to-life-enhancing\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Screen-Shot-2015-06-24-at-6.37.17-PM.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Screen-Shot-2015-06-24-at-6.37.17-PM.png\",\"width\":559,\"height\":368,\"caption\":\"How To Turn Your Depression From Life-Crushing To Life-Enhancing\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/how-to-turn-your-depression-from-life-crushing-to-life-enhancing\/#webpage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/how-to-turn-your-depression-from-life-crushing-to-life-enhancing\/\",\"name\":\"How To Turn Your Depression From Life-Crushing to Life-Enhancing\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/how-to-turn-your-depression-from-life-crushing-to-life-enhancing\/#primaryimage\"},\"datePublished\":\"2015-06-25T05:45:12+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2015-06-29T06:53:22+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/2da8ae162c097bdb749ab098472b4cc5\"},\"description\":\"Depression is a powerful energy lodged in your body. 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