With Covid-19, the pandemic (hopefully the only one) of our lives...many of us feel depressed. And it kind of sneaks up on us, especiallly those of us who are natural intraverts who said, "At last, I can hang out alone and enjoy it." Then after a few months, we don't want to get out of bed, or eat, or can't sleep...boom! We've become depressed!
Thanks to Elephant Journal HERE
Five Ways out of Depression (entire article is posted below in case you don't want to click to the link)
I have experience with everyday depression. So do you. We all do. It’s human.
(I’m not talking about clinical depression, here. That may require clinical solutions. This is about the Buddhist teachings on how to work with everyday depression).
It’s been a part of the human condition for all time—which is good, because folks like the Buddha and Jesus and every great realized human being ever has gone through it, and found her or his way out of it.
5 Obvious, Quick, Simple, Easy Ways out of Depression (That we Fail to Think of When We’re Depressed).
1. Anything electronic—unplug it. Video games, instagram, surfing the web—anything too focus-oriented, repetitive, and mildly pleasurable keeps us anchored to that mindless churning beneath the waves.
2. Get outside. Light, fresh air—is the hope, the outlet, the gap, the present-moment succor, and pleasure that comes with tearing open our cocoon.
3. Touch in with a living sentient being’s heart. See someone. Hug a dog. Talk with community—what’s getting us down now, told as a story, will get us out of what’s getting us down, now. And it usually makes for a good story, too, if only because it’s real.
4. Music. Dance. Blues. Hard rock. Depends on your mood. Something we have to dance a little to. Move.
5. Most importantly: we can avoid the things we think will give us pleasure but know, from experience, will not—sex that isn’t based on love, porn, picking zits, video games, overeating food we’re not hungry for, ice cream, more ice cream, binge-watching too much TV, whatever it is—go the other direction and…
Breathe.
Remember to breathe. It’s that simple. It’s that simple, but it’s not easy to remember to do so when we least want to remember to do so.
It takes practice. Meditation practice. Life practice.
Author: Waylon Lewis
And my own saying for today...which reminds me that it took a heart attack to get to exercising regularly, and eating plant-based diet with low fat foods, and meditating daily, and connecting with friends and family!
"Do what you did, and you'll get what you got."
I agree that even we introverts need human contact. You seem to be getting that, and you are getting out a lot.
ReplyDeleteYes, and it's sometimes a real push to get out of bed in the morning. Having your (and others) blogs to read with my coffee and oatmeal really is a nice incentive. Today I'm going window-shopping in Black Mountain...with all the tourists! But my friend from the Ornish program is wanting to do this, so I'll enjoy walking around with her. More photo taking if my phone will stay charged!
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the info. I am glad you are getting out and enjoying time with your friends.
Take care, wishing you a happy day!
I need to see those 5 ways to avoid normal blues...before I go to a counselor again. I finished seeing the one that I had 3 visits with a month ago...it was really good while I dealt with some issues. Have a great Thursday Eileen. I loved seeing your post this morning!
DeleteMany good recommendations. I think both of us are managing well despite the lack of friends here locally. We are staying in touch with other friends remotely and I'm making new friends in the blog world.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear form you Marcia...after whatever blog address flub we started off with. Yes, moving does mean new friendships need to be developed. I was glad to see on another comment that you're about to settle with a new house. Good luck on your purchase!
DeleteThank you for this, Barbara. This is such a challenging time. We need to be reminded there are ways to balance these blues.
ReplyDeleteI've never been prone to depression until now. I have to work hard every day to get out, read something engaging, and keep somewhat busy. I am highly social and call myself an outgoing introvert. So this is a very uncomfortable situation for me and I'm still trying to adapt.
ReplyDeleteI go out and walk if I feel depressed . Sometimes it's hard to get motivated but once I get outside I feel a lot better and enjoy it. We are back in to a lockdown for the next six weeks. It will be reviewed after four weeks. Hopefully the numbers will go down but we'll have to wait and see. Thanks for sharing this info, it helps.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, that doesn't mean that you can't take walks by yourself, I hope. I agree, getting into nature seems just so relaxing and calming, no matter how the traffic may have been getting there...it certainly lifts my spirits. I remind friends of that sometimes too!
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