Here are a few things we can do energetically and physically to help prevent and relieve mild depression.
Brain scientists and psychologists now know more about the human mind than ever before, but sadly our mental health may be worse than ever. Especially since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence of depression has been on the rise. According to one Gallup poll, almost 30 percent of all adults say they have been diagnosed with depression at some point in their adulthood. This number does not include those who have experienced depression but have not been diagnosed. The number of people seeking help for depression has increased by 25 percent in the last five years, and the numbers keep growing according to the WHO.
Of course, it is always best to seek professional psychological help for severe depression, especially if thoughts of self-harm arise. But I believe we can do a lot energetically and physically to help prevent and relieve mild depression. Most people follow daily habits that support their physical health: bathing, brushing teeth, exercising, eating healthy food, and so on. So why shouldn’t we be just as proactive about our mental health? We are living in times of rapid change and technological development that can, at times, make us feel isolated or overwhelmed, which in turn may lead to depression. Here are some habits I recommend to help relieve and prevent mild depression:
- Move your body. Exercising your body may be the most effective way to prevent and relieve depression. Many studies have shown this to be true, and it makes sense since most of the brain is devoted to our muscular and nervous systems. Essentially, any time we move our bodies, we also stimulate the entire brain. In addition, exercise releases endorphins and other “happy” hormones to the brain.
- Stretch your body. Stretching is the best way to open the meridians of the body so that energy can flow better through our energy system. When our minds become depressed, our energy system essentially stagnates in response, leading to many blockages within it. I recommend incorporating stretching sessions into your day, such as ten minutes in the morning and ten minutes in the evening. If your job is sedentary, stop occasionally to stretch your entire body for a couple of minutes. Not only will this make your body feel better, but your mind will also brighten and lighten.
- Breathe. Most adults tend to breathe too shallowly, especially when stress and tension are building in the body. While relaxing, spend a little time focusing on your breath with your eyes closed. Notice how you breathe. Most people breathe quite shallowly into just their upper chest. To correct this, try to breathe like an infant&mash;deeply into the belly. Breathe in through the nose and carry your breath all the way down to your lower abdomen. Then exhale through the mouth, releasing all tension and stress as you do so.
- Meditate. Several studies have also shown that meditation is wonderful for relieving depression. I especially recommend a form of energetic visualization meditation where you imagine bringing golden light into your body with each breath. Visualize your brain being cleansed with bright golden light as your body fills with energy. You will be surprised how wonderful you feel when you open your eyes.
- Live for your true self. I believe that depression is, at least in part, a spiritual problem, not just a physical one. The fact that many modern people often feel depression does not surprise me since so many people are living according to a false identity. Too many people think they must have lots of money and high social status to be of value in the world, but this is not true. Our true value was already determined before the day we were born because we each have a soul. The soul has infinite and endless value with or without “success” as it is defined typically in our culture. If we learn to appreciate this fact about ourselves, we will discover a form of self-love that can never be degraded.
- Live a visionary life. When we talk about visionaries, we’re usually talking about very rare and highly talented people who accomplish something extraordinary in life, such as Steve Jobs or Walt Disney. But we do not have to do anything spectacular to live a visionary life. The key is to find meaning for our lives that is truly satisfying to our true selves, our souls. Our souls do not care about fame or fortune, but they do care about being of service to other beings and contributing to the upward evolution of humanity. See if you can find what that thing is, that one contribution you are destined to make to the world. If you can do that, you have found your wellspring of joy.
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If you struggle to keep a positive outlook on life, please understand that this is normal and natural to feel occasionally. Life is not always easy, and our growth process often requires us to move past difficult obstacles to move forward. Whenever you feel sadness, the important thing is to find a way to keep moving forward. The most insidious aspect of depression is its tendency to rob us of our momentum and motivation for life. You are a very important soul with an important mission to complete on Earth. So, seek professional help, meditate, exercise more, or do whatever you can to lift yourself to keep going.
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