Depression
The Silent Slayer
Ever had a gloomy day? Has that gloomy day lasted for a
week? Do you feel like nothing will improve? Are you embarrassed to admit those
things aloud? Join the club. In 2012 it was reported about 350 million, 5% of
the earth’s population, suffer from depression. If you’re just now thinking to
yourself “That’s not much compared to the 7 billion people living on earth.”
You could say that but picture each person with the value of $1 in your bank
account? Still sneezing at it? The value of 1 life is worth so much more.
Depression is a disease, like diabetes or cancer, it can
infect healthy ways of living and erode even the very will to live. So how can
we snap out of it? Here are a few tips that you can try or suggest to a loved
one suffering from depression.
1. Talk to someone
More people love you than you probably
know, and are completely willing to do what they can to assist you. However, if
you feel that’s not the truth then talk to a professional. They can help you
figure out just where the depression stems from and offer you a fresh
perspective. Is money an issue? There are some state funded agencies that have
grants for those who can’t afford the type of treatment you may require. Check
your local agencies to see what’s available.
2. Take something to feel better
If medication prescribed by a doctor is not
an option or not your thing (some side-effects being as undesirable as what it
may be treating) then look for herbal remedies. Go to your local herbal store,
a brick and mortar store like GNC or Whole Foods but if you just can’t get out
of the door or out the bed take whatever medium you are using now to read this
article and search online for reputable herbal companies, i.e. Nature’s Way,
Irwin Naturals. Search for herbs to improve your mood and outlook (St. Johns
Wart, Sunny Mood). Do your research though, some of these herbs don’t interact
well with other mental health and wellness drugs so be informed.
3. Take care of your body
Physical activity can do leaps and bounds
for your mental health. It doesn’t have to be rigorous or strenuous. Small
things a walk in the park, a jog around the block, go fishing. Just get active
the more you are moving and taking in your surroundings the less apt you are to
fixate and obsess over what’s not perfect in your life. A part of taking care
of your health includes what you take in for food, so watch what you eat.
Little by little make positive changes in your daily diet.
4. Find an outlet
Not just any outlet! Healthy and
responsible ones. What’s that thing you used to love to do and could do all day
long?? Yeah! Do that even if it’s just for 5-10 minutes. OH no you don’t enjoy
it anymore. It happens don’t fret. Try something new, language, reading
materials, challenge your brain, paint, take pictures, write a poem, write a
short story or how about learn a new dance! Lord knows there’s no shortage of
those on You Tube. The point is don’t just sit idle. It’s very dangerous.
5. Don’t underestimate the power of prayer
Sometimes 1-4 just can’t cut it because you
can’t take that first step to even try. If you find yourself unable to, drop
everything and have a conversation with the Creator. Not a memorized and
recited prayer. Pour out the depths of your soul. Tell him your troubles if you
can pinpoint them, If not ask him to read your heart and mind. Request that He
impart His Holy Spirit and watch almost instantly you will have a measure of
strength. What if you don’t know what eactly to say? There are literally
hundreds of prayers in the Bible. Read
it. Until you can find the words borrow theirs. After all He is the God of
Comfort.
The Body and mind are a Temple. A Temple
unkempt and uncared for eventually becomes a ruin. Don’t ruin your Temple.
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