Depression can take hold for many different reasons. When one becomes depressed, the mind may lose all sense of organization, imagination, and reality. I know. I’ve been there. I have been challenged with too much at one time. When this happens, focusing on any one thing becomes virtually impossible. It was easier to turn the T.V. on and tune out. I would sit for hours watching non thought provoking shows. I would find and create different comfort foods to shove in my mouth. Knowing none of the above was helping, but only adding to my depressed state, it didn’t matter as my mind was just not there. It took everything I had in me to pull out of the state I was in without pharmaceuticals or trips to the doctor. Leaving home was difficult anyway, so a trip to the doctor was out of the question. I was experiencing agoraphobia (fear of going out in public) on top of everything else.
So what caused this depression? For me it was the simple fact of losing my job and feeling as if I had no control over my financial situation. But that was just me. Everyone who has experienced a severe depressed state has their own reason. It could be a job that’s overwhelming. It could be the loss of a loved one or a breakup of a relationship. No matter what the cause, it is very difficult to pull oneself out of such a hole.
I have gone the route of antidepressants and doctor visits, but that just made me a bit brain dead. I felt as if my mind had turned to jello. I have also gone the “natural” way with St. John’s Wart, a vitamin that levels out the mood. I felt great on St. John’s Wart. It was a miracle how my mind took a 180 and I was able to focus on all my priorities. I felt good and my depression disappeared completely within two days. But then I ran out and did not get any more. Why should I? I felt great. Unfortunately there is a down side to taking the vitamin. When you stop taking it, you crash! And I mean CRASH! I fell into a depression that was more intense than the one I had just pulled myself out of. All I could do was cry. I’m not saying it’s not a good remedy to depression, but you may want to slowly come off of it rather than just run out. I’ve been afraid to try it again, so I really don’t know if a gradual removal would work or not.
So what is a depressed person to do? How can we cure ourselves without drugs and vitamins that cause a downside? Read on and I will tell you what has worked for me. I cannot promise it will work for others, but anything may be worth a try. This is a non-drug and non-vitamin cure, but it is difficult when you find yourself in a severe state. It’s really just mind over matter.
I began by writing a list of small projects. Just household projects that I needed to do anyway. Waking up in the mornings during my depressed state was the hardest part of my day, but with a list to concur, it made it a little easier. On the first day I got the laundry done and cleaned the refrigerator. Nothing that would take all day to complete, but I felt a little better knowing that I completed something.
On day two I reorganized and cleaned my kitchen cabinets. This led to scrubbing the outside of the cabinet doors. I also completely “spring cleaned” the kitchen counters. Okay, I was feeling better. Not only feeling better but the house was looking great too. I also added to my mile long list of things to do.
Day three: I tackled my least favorite chore, the bathroom. I scrubbed it from top to bottom until it was “home and garden” clean. Wow! Am I good! I haven’t stuffed my face or watched T.V. all day on the third day. When the bathroom was done, I dusted throughout the entire house.
Day four: Just looking in the mirror became easier. I decided to work in the yard. I didn’t even look at the list on the forth day because I had other chores I wanted to get done. A trip to the grocery store was one of them. No “comfort foods”, just salad, water, and healthy meals. By the fifth day, I felt my depression was a thing of the past.
Whenever I feel my mood begin to change I immediately write a list and begin my routine to fight the feelings of depression. Since I started this, I have been able to schedule interviews to get back into the working world. My cure for depression may not work for everyone who finds themselves in a blue mood, but it may be worth a try.
