Depression: The Dark Night of the Soul

Depression is often referred to as the dark night of the soul.  It is a place we slip into and its hard to rise out of.  What can be done about depression?

Well as with any medicine please consult your doctor first before trying this prescription.  I am not a trained medical person, nor therapist.  However, I do see a pattern that life coaching can help.

Depression is like a bruise where the skin recedes in.  We become incredibly inward focused.  One of the best cures for depression is to do something for someone else.  Can you volunteer one hour once a week to mentor a child at a local school district.  I guarantee you that you will feel better once you get inside the problems of someone else.

What about the people in your life, family friends, co-workers.  Start to think more about others and what you can do for them.  Depression is being stuck inside yourself and what is going wrong in your own life.

Depression often manifests itself in self-neglect.  How is your self-care right now?  Are you taking care of your physical appearance?  Imagine a triangle in your life, with spiritual, emotional,  and physical on the three prongs.  If any are way out of balance it can contribute to depression.

If you are not eating right, not getting sleep, never exercise these things can help you to deal with depression.  Exercise produces feel good feelings and helps the mental outlook.  Yoga has been said to help with depression.

Do you have a strong support system in your life?  People to encourage you or just talk to when things are going rough. Surround yourself with people who make you feel good.  Seek out healthy relationships with people that challenge you to see the best and stretch yourself.

I have seen people go on medication for depression and not change their behavior.  Do you isolate yourself?  This is going to contribute to more depression.

Do you have repeated negative self-talk?  This contributes to depression.  I am never going to…. I can’t do that…….  Nobody loves me…..You limit yourself and the focus is negative.  Try placing inspiring and motivating quotes on the bathroom mirror, the frig.  You will need to challenge your negative thoughts to replace them with more positive ones.

A good suggestion is to listen to life coaching tapes, available at the library under the self-help section.  Experts in life coaching have a way of presenting this that can help you to erase the negative mental tapes you replay over and over in your head.

Depression is a lack of energy.  You will need to create the positive outflow of energy in your life. What is it that you want in life you are not getting?  What can you do about it?  Changes can help you to move forward in an exciting way.  Make a list of 10 things you love to do and find time for in your life.

Do you have friends or family members you see in a state of depression and don’t know what to do?  Sometimes it is the simple things that matter.  Love on them, encourage them, remind them of what they mean to you.  Include them even if they seem down or detached.  Invite them to do things.  Physical touch is important to a depressed person.

Spirituality is key in overcoming depression.  Consider reviving your spiritual life by attending a local church, consulting with a pastor or attending a spiritual retreat.  Depression is like a red flag that things are out of balance in our lives and we need to seek out the comfort faith and God can bring us.

Depression always limits us, it limits our thinking, our positive behavior, our actions so take a step today toward overcoming depression and you will begin to feel better.

Everyday you get up and you make CHOICES in your life.  CONSIDER if your CHOICES are LIMITING YOUR LIFE.  Make CHOICES to MOVE in the right direction. DEAL with your depression don’t let it STEAL from the quality of your life.