Overcoming Depression

Why do I say Overcoming? Because when down in it, things look and feel different. When we take a look over the matters, make changes necessary to improve our existence, and have a huge shift in trust in ourselves we can view our lives from a different perspective.

Along this path of life in which I lead, I studied the whys of depression and did the actions required to assist in reducing the feelings of being depressed. Something a wonderful teacher told me; writing her wisdom shared is different recently as she is no longer on the planet. However, her wisdom continues to ripple through space and time.

“It is the combination that gets you and the combination that heals you.” Sandy Fern

Where it was not just one thing that helped me, the collection of aspects did reduce the effects. Some teach that it is wise to share part of one's journey so others know what has been overcome, here is a touch of the journey to express what had to be overcome to gain empowerment over my mind despite circumstances. While I am by no means expressing the entire journey I am sharing a part of the journey that was the worst for me, and it assisted in other grieving moments later in life as well. Where grief isn't to say one is "depressed" (or intense pressure from circumstances) one can certainly feel depressed during times of grief especially if prone to lifestyle choices as well as childhood experiences.

Here is the long-short and I will expand on the whys in the article. Acceptance or awareness

Proper Nutrition

Exercise

Sunshine or a Happy Light

Sandalwood Oil

Meditation

Mindset

A side note, to me, to feel depressed is to have a lot of pressure on oneself. As with all visuals, they can assist in matters; the visual of feeling all of it upon you, like a large boulder or even several of those; and then seeing yourself dropping all of those boulders can be helpful. Try it sometime in meditation, you might also find how it allows you to stand up knowing that you don't have to hold all of those. You might find along the way that a lot of the stuff you hold are things someone else handed you, and it is not yours to hold. More often than not, it was the person that handed it to you projecting their own fears or pains onto you.

And now science knows that the bacteria in our gut area plays a huge role in our minds. So why are so many on such medications instead of addressing their gut biome?

_________________________________________________________________________________________ This journey includes reading every book in which I could get these hands-on matters of learning, I began doing so around the age of 16 while a Librarian's assistant in high school. This was back when we had drawers of cards to find books on various topics, today you have the entire internet at your fingertips to research all sorts of information. New research for example is wise to keep apprised of, as we as humans are so complex, science is still studying us. While learning and relearning new things about us all the time, we too must do so for ourselves.

When I was about 15, I was led towards a degree in Psychology with a strong aim towards play therapy, child development, and neuroscience. By the age of 31, I had accomplished that feat of action yet still had questions because I could sense there was something more. While attending university I began learning meditation techniques and energy work to look deeply within while bringing peace and a reduction of pain over my entire body. None of that was easy, most do not have that sort of chance or time. This is why I take the time to share what was learned along the way; some from books, lectures, shared experiences, and from personal experience.

Before life changed for me, I worked out 5 to 7 days a week and worked 3 part-time jobs while attending 10th-12th grade and then trade school to be able to work my way through college, which was the end goal. Where I enjoyed being a hairdresser, Play Therapy to assist not only myself, but others while also learning everything I could about the body, mind, and soul was a constant goal. I kept feeling like if I found the answers, I could answer the question of how to overcome such a 'dis-ease' within. Where at the time I was not feeling depressed, many of the things I did regularly were assisting in the balance of chemicals within. It was like I was naturally doing what was best despite the journey I had been enduring.

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Long ago, in the middle of Alaska -40 below zero I was in a car accident (in the winter of 1996) that left me unable to work or workout. Being in physical pain daily caused a sudden increase in mental pain, as I no longer had work to distract my thoughts and I couldn't workout which kept the feel-good chemicals in my body in proper flow. Then it began to wear on my spiritual being. The windows in an old structure were covered with blankets so there was no sunshine getting through, on all levels, yet it helped to keep the cold from seeping in. I wasn't eating well, and because we had less income I went without regularly to save food. Everything that could work against me was present and that spiral down happened fast as I was no longer able to maintain my normal lifestyle. Being a barber and chatting with people all day long was also gone and the isolation compounded all of it. For those who have gone through those feelings because of covid, you might understand those feelings also, if one was already tittering all of this might be adding to it.

Acceptance is important. One thing that remains a constant across all matters of healing is to reach acceptance. One cannot change what they cannot accept. To be honest with oneself that you feel depressed and allow the feeling to wash over you. When we fight the truth it only makes matters worse. Notice I said, "feel" depressed. Just as one might feel sad, or overwhelmed, it doesn't mean it is permanent. We have also felt happy, elated, and content alongside a long list of other feelings that come and go in life.

When the sadness leaves, where does it go?

Once one has accepted the feeling within, there are numerous ways to increase the feel-good chemicals that are necessary for optimum existence.

Proper nutrition is of course wise, to me that is a given. Instead of adding certain foods here thus making this article longer, I plan to make a list of vitamins and minerals as well and I can cover a lot of that there. For now, I can suggest to Google search foods ideal for depression. If able to pick up some supplements, Vitamin D, Vitamin Bs including B12, as well as liquid trance minerals (Magnesium) are wise to Fill your body back up. Because all too often if not eating well that begins to wear on the body as well. Then, in turn the body almost screams for help because the cells require nutrition. To refill is different than maintaining. To flush the body with good stuff on all levels is an ideal way to combat depression from many angles. Where foods do provide these vitamins and minerals it would take a larger amount to truly fill all of the levels in a short period of time.

Something further Sandy told me and the more I worked with people the more I saw the pattern. If a person is "depressed" or has a sluggish system it takes longer to digest the pill form (and food) of vitamins and break down the minerals And if a person has high anxiety the body processes it out before it can break down completely, especially if one has a high metabolism.

So when we utilize the liquid versions of trace minerals or dots they break down faster within the bloodstream compared to the digestive system having to break down the pill form or all of them leaving the body before they can even be absorbed.

Now I can appreciate that some simply do not have the extra money in which to invest in food let alone the extras. There are some ways around this, listen to the audios on manifestations. In the meantime, making choices towards healthy living often leads to better choices towards healthy living.

Moreover, science Knows this, so why is it that the basics of life are as spendy as they are in the first place? Why aren't doctors sharing these simple matters before implementing any other treatments? Why aren't all doctors offering blood tests for vital minerals and vitamins before labeling, or prescribing any other type of medication?

Exercise: I know you have heard this, and yes, I know some days that is not so easy to begin. Even a 5-minute walk is better for you than doing nothing. Might I suggest a playful way if able? Yes, I understand if you work a job that has you walking a lot but walking alone might not be helping, that is why it is the combination that helps. Are you getting enough minerals? Are you doing anything that makes your soul happy? Even if it is sitting still listening to the wind. This world and how it is running at the moment can sweep us away if not careful.

You see there are only so many ways to increase the feel-good chemical serotonin within. Carbs, chocolate, or sex all help, however...

When those feel-good chemicals are low then bounce to a high when partaking in any of those three matters, the chemicals then drop to a lower, low. Then one desires one of those again to help it rise and often with an increase of the item. With exercise, there is a steady stream of serotonin instead of the Up and Down and round and round. Walks in the woods, yes, even at -40 zero even for 5 minutes it would help shock my body awake. I would often (and still do) go out barefoot and feel the crunch of the snow beneath both feet. Sometimes on the warmer days, I stand still and simply let the snow/ice melt beneath allowing the footprints to remain. Other times a walk was all I could handle and quickly to avoid the sting on my feet.

Believe me, when I share, it is important. If by chance you live in a large city or work in a building all day long and are unable to get onto earth you can do something similar with stones, plants (play in the soil) even sand in which to touch. Or, even better, visually, as there are no walls. (See the Transmutation video)

All that said, on the worst days, being outside for 5 minutes did wonders, the sunshine is so important, even if it was for some fresh air and enjoying the songs of the birds, or the sounds that winter makes when everything is frozen.

Research continues to show that the cadavers of a person who has taken their life have

low serotonin levels of close to if not 0 compared to those that have died of natural causes. Please understand that even if we simply do not have the motivation it is important to do some form of exercise.

A Happy Light: This helps in other climates as well. If you choose to go this route make sure you invest in a full spectrum light. One can also get a full spectrum grow bulb, so as you enjoy plants you also receive the same benefits. Sunshine is always best, however, in rainy seasons or winter seasons like here in Alaska, some places do not even get to see the sun for months at a time. The research even shows issues for those who live in hot places as many avoid being in the sun. Science has learned that the full spectrum lights help with jet lag as well so some airports now have walls of lights for people to re-calibrate between flights.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is also helped with these same suggestions.

This is why Sungazing is wise when able no matter where one lives.

Sandalwood and how to balance the pineal gland which controls hormones, moods, thirst, hunger, and sex drive, and plays a role in the synergy of the rest of the brain. I studied essential oils (for over 20 years now, including testing the results claimed to see if a placebo or even a self-fulling prophecy) so much that a 30-page project emerged while in my junior year in college. It is important to note because Sandalwood passes the Blood-Brain Barrier and stimulates the pineal gland, it also increases the Growth hormones. So use on children isn't wise unless that is an area one wants to stimulate the pineal gland to encourage the increase of the growth hormone. That part of course stops once we are done growing physically.

Meditation: including the techniques I teach others because someone taught me, she learned from a pain clinic in Oregon, the ripples continue. Where the meditation and energy work assisted my body, it also assisted my mind, however, most of all it improved the spiritual aspects of myself. Because the further I went and the more I practiced, the more I learned about myself as well as being able to heal parts along the way.

Mindset: I had time, lots of time so in the alignment information presented as I was ready for it, I found the book “The Secret” and the movie “What the Bleep do we Know anyway?” and began listing all the things I was grateful for.

I remember beginning with “indoor plumbing” (Yes, it is the little things.) and a warm home, clothes for my body, water, food, and the loved ones in my life. That list continued to grow with the most simple of “things” to be grateful for. With each thing, I felt lighter and lighter. Instead of the focus on the pain or moments of lack doing so allowed me a different perspective. After listing those it became easier to stop myself each time I began to spiral into the depths and instead, I would verbally list the things I was grateful for, often beginning with an item in my hand. "I am grateful for this cup, this bowl, this bite of food...

Being grateful allowed a reprieve as well as manifesting more of those instead of the opposite. Check out the audio on manifestations for more examples of how our repeated words create the life we would rather experience in a different way.

I clearly recall the day a friend called and asked how I was doing. I remember feeling the same but mostly, I was tired of talking about the "bad" and said "I am feeling better today." even though it really wasn't a truth what I discovered was, it became a truth. You see the next day a different friend called and asked the same thing, and I paused and then repeated the same phrase but this time, it was true, I did feel a bit better that day.

If one repeats, "I am depressed" it does add to it. Sure for the moments of acceptance, but just as with ALL manifestations, those words actually add to it and cause "it" to continue. This is why labels are tricky, and it is unwise to hold such labels. Even changing it to "I feel depressed at the moment." is a better choice. Or, "I feel sad at the moment." Or overwhelmed, scattered, foggy, etc. are all feelings that are okay to have, just Knowing they are moments, not a life sentence. Even more so, as stated on the manifestation audios, it is also okay and often the truth to state and Believe, "I am Healing from _______" or "I am aligning to practices that allow me to move through the healing process." or "I am improving" and the like as long as there is a constant focus on, I am healing, improving, growing, etc.

Allowing the moments while having a look over the whys when I did cycle back around was imperative.

I would place a drop of oil on my arm and go about my day after looking over the hurt once again. Most importantly, what caused "it' to happen was important to see why. For those of us who have lived through extreme trauma, we already know the why. But often we might not realize what triggered the moment to cycle again. Noting those allows us to see them the next time and in the awareness it allows a direction change. This is not a denial of sorts, as much as simple reminders of the Now of life. "I am safe."

"I have everything I require in each step through life."

"It is now, not then."

"That was a memory, and it sucked to go through that. Right now I am ______."

Doing so in meditation allowed a look over matters while being able to realize it was not those moments any longer. While walking about in the day it made it easier to face those moments and remain in the present. The book by Eckhart Tolle, “Now” helped look over that premise fully.

Re-Learning to live in the Now of life instead of in the past, was important. We do so as children and then the busy of life and others telling us what to do and when to do so, alongside placing too much on children too soon and some of us have to relearn how to live in the now. Knowing most of those feelings were only memories repeating or current moments of stupidity causing the repeat was most important because if we do not heal those wounds, the cycles continue to repeat.

Even after healing, there are moments that remind, but the reaction or response to those memories are not the same. It is easier to face each moment of pain after one has done so over and over again. The first few times it might be challenging, tears may flow, anger might emerge and then as we do so somehow it gets easier and easier. Ignoring it, however, doesn't allow the healing, and often the cycles repeat.

Write it out

Dance it out

Cry it out

Play it out

Create it out

Paint it out

It is okay to feel ways, the trick is to catch them, and eventually get into a position where you can switch tracks on the train of thought.

A soothing way to accomplish this is to catch yourself worrying, feeling afraid, panicked or otherwise, slow down and play. One way to do this is to place some sand in a favorite dish and add some sand or even sea salt and stones to it.

Once in another place within, it allows the comparison to what one was feeling not long before that moment and more importantly reminds us how easy it truly is to let go.

Jumping off a cycle is not easy but it is possible.

Trusting in yourself and trust in the Uni (U in) verse is key here because only you can alter yourself from within.

Naturally