Recognizing and Overcoming Depression
The human experience is woven with ups and downs to life. But sometimes, it is not just the ups and downs of natural life. Sometimes things seem darker and heavier, to the point where you might want to consult with a professional to discuss whether you currently have depression. Some depression symptoms include:
- Feeling very sad or empty most of the time.
- Losing interest in things you used to enjoy.
- Feeling tired all the time or having low energy.
- Having trouble sleeping or sleeping too much.
- Changes in appetite or weight (eating too much or too little).
- Feeling restless or slowed down.
- Having trouble concentrating or making decisions.
- Feeling worthless or very guilty.
- Thinking about death or suicide.
It is always important to recognize that your story is unique and that not all depression treatments that work for one person may work for you per se. Often people who come to us already use a combination of therapy and medication (such as antidepressants and CBT, for example).
We believe that what creates a truly long-term plan to take someone from coping with depression to full resolution, requires a comprehensive plan. This includes lifestyle changes, balanced and functional nutrition to optimize the mood and gut health as well as wholesome therapies such as psychodynamic and IFS (internal family systems). Equally important, using specifically engineered movements and breathing practices to rewire and strengthen the nervous and endocrine system are integral to the short- and long-term health of those who would like to fully recover from the nervous system. Lastly, self-knowledge is essential.
Lifestyle changes:
Examples of lifestyle changes may include
- regular exercise
- Sleep: Getting enough quality sleep every night.
- Social Support: Spending time with friends and family.
- Nature: Spending time outdoors in nature.
- Hobbies: Engaging in enjoyable activities or hobbies.
Nutrition:
Examples of nutrition include foods that are rich in nutrients for optimal mood and gut health such as omega 3 and a healthy balance of vegetables, fruits, carbohydrates and healthy fats. The food you eat, how you eat and the timing you eat are all important factors to your emotional and physical being
Nervous and Endocrine:
Examples of some beginning steps to balance both your nervous and endocrine systems is learning a full breath. Starting with belly breathing:
Self-knowledge:
Self-knowledge is the process of understanding your unique personality and mind. If you understand your mind, it can be your friend. But if you do not understand your mind, it can be your enemy. Each person’s way of thinking is so unique that it takes conscious observation of our mind to see how it presents the world to us so we can decipher reality from our mind’s projections. Once we understand how our mind works, we can also understand how the mind’s way of thinking can actually be of benefit to that individual, finally allowing the mind to become one of the greatest gifts that a person possesses in this lifetime.
