Depression is an all too common ailment these days; often thought to be caused by an overload of information, consumerism, substance misuse and financial worry. In the West, we experience a decreasing sense of community and family values, leading to a sense of isolation. Even with such brilliant forms of modern communication, our social support networks may be non-existent. A fast-paced life, increasing costs and less time to relax all add to our stress, which can lead to depression or even a more serious mental health problem.
If you regularly feel low, and experience negative thoughts, low self-esteem and a lack of motivation, you could be suffering from depression. Another common symptom is anxiety, the feeling of stress triggered by specific thoughts or situations that make you obsess or fall into a negative thought cycle. This is sometimes expressed by physical signs of anxiety like shortness of breath and twitching. The best way out of such negative cycles is to take positive action. Talk to a friend, go out and take exercise, write down your plans for the future – always work to take your mind away from negative thoughts by concentrating on something else.
One of the best ways to take the load off your mind is to concentrate on your body. By doing some serious exercise you will release the endorphins essential for your mental health and all-round wellbeing. If you are swimming, running, weight lifting, or even just walking, make sure you concentrate on what your body is doing – the action of your body. What does the exercise feel like to your body? How do your muscles feel and what is your breath doing? Cultivating an awareness of your body and its actions will take you away from negative thoughts and give your mind a break. The practice of mindfulness is a great help to harnessing your mind and maintaining positive action and movement is the best place to start.
Yoga and Tai Chi are perfect examples of moving meditation – concentrating your mind on your breath and movements to enhance the experience and most importantly calm the mind. These practices have formed a way out of depression for many people. Consider taking up a moving meditation practice – start slowly with something you know you can do and get help if you need to get the confidence to go to a class. When you attend, you will feel quickly reassured by how calm and friendly these classes are. Put the effort into learning new ways to relax and start to enjoy your life as you deserve with a balanced wellness regime of healthy exercise!
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