Feeling depressed? Here is a simple (not easy) way to solve long term that I and students have used.
In a recent episode of the Tim Ferris podcast, he talked about how he experienced episodes of depression and the various things he used to solve. I think that depression is one of those things that society tells us not to say we are experiencing. As if it is a contagious disease and that we should always appear to be happy. This lack of acceptance of depression leads to it festering and ultimately not helping solve it.
What triggered me to write about this today, was a WhatsApp message I received from our maid: “I’m depressed without motivation to do anything. I have problems with debts and everything bad happens to me. I have no motivation to fight. I only want to die. I feel so sad that everything goes so wrong for me in life.”
The reason for this video is to share with you practical things I did to basically rewire my brain for depression to joy. And I am happy to say that for the most part, regardless of external circumstances, I am happy from morning to night. And that students who practice the methods also get great results.
Get To A State Where You Are Open To Do Something
If you’re feeling depressed right now, I know how you feel. I’ve been there. I am not here to judge. I am here to send you love. You first step is to get to a mental place where you are open to doing something. If you are not there right now, then some suggestions that have worked great for me are:
- Move. Any type of activity will change your mental state.
- Watch comedy online. Laughter is healing medicine.
- Meditate.
- Do something you like.
- Ask a friend to take you out.
- Cry. Crying actually releases chemicals that help you reset your emotional state.
- Throw a $1 cup or plate against the wall. It kind of does have therapeutic effects and costs less than antidepressant meds.
- Other things that have worked for you.
Causes Of Depression
According to psychiatry.org, risk factors for depression are:
- Biochemistry: Differences in certain chemicals in the brain may contribute to symptoms of depression.
- Genetics: Depression can run in families. For example, if one identical twin has depression, the other has a 70 percent chance of having the illness sometime in life.
- Personality: People with low self-esteem, who are easily overwhelmed by stress, or who are generally pessimistic appear to be more likely to experience depression.
- Environmental factors: Continuous exposure to violence, neglect, abuse or poverty may make some people more vulnerable to depression.
How To Reduce & Ideally Solve Depression
To reduce the symptoms of depression, we counteract the biochemistry of our mind and body. By doing so, we can naturally boost our self-esteem, counteract genetic tendencies and be less affected by environmental factors or stress.
Our brain works in a simplified manner by neurons communicating in rapid fire manner while releasing different chemicals. This process gives us our emotional state of depression, tranquility or joy.
The more we experience certain emotions, our brain creates myelin sheaths or roads to make it faster for the neural transmitters to get from one neuron to another. This means that the more we feel a certain way, we wire ourselves to be even more susceptible to it in the future.
To rewire our brain we need to program our mind for what we desire while also increasing the emotional connection of it so that the change happens faster.
I often use the example of remembering your first kiss or incredible romantic experience. Then try to remember what you had for lunch 4 weeks ago. One had a greater emotional impact than the other, hence it sticks in your mind.
Guided Meditation To Combat Depression
What we will do now is walk you through a guided meditation to rewire your brain for more joy and happiness instead of depression and despair.
Before we start, ask yourself, from 1 to 10 are you open to relaxing even more now and seriously considering the guidance I am providing? If you answer anything less than a 7, do more of the things I mentioned at the start to bring you to a more positive state. Only when you are open can we guide you to feel more joy.
Now, as quickly as you are ready to relax even deeper, complete anything that requires your attention, go to a place that is very relaxing, safe, and quet. Then, close your eyes.
Allow yourself to relax even deeper from your feet to your head.
Now give thanks for everything regardless of size.
Send great energy to others.
Visualize yourself experiencing the things you most want to the extent that they are believable for you.
Connect with the feeling you would associate with having accomplished them.
Expand these positive feelings.
Balance your energy.
Really Important Stuff To Help Solve Depression
Mind control of one’s own mind is a muscle. I started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu after some time not training it. I had been focusing on Muay Thai. My forward roll on my left side was horrible. Laughingly bad. Yet years ago I was able to jump over objects and do a forward roll. My muscle memory was weak.
Your mind control is likely weak. So was mine. In addition to the guided meditation, throughout the day, start observing the chatterbox in your head. Is it telling you things are bad, to avoid doing something, that danger is ahead, that you are not worth, that you are a failure?
If so, then likely we had the same model of chatterbox. Humor aside, place your awareness on your body, your breath, a point of energy within you, a radiant light deep inside, your aura, your skin, etc., and bring your awareness present. Lovingly allow whatever thoughts were there to leave with acknowledgement that they had a good intention, however you are choosing to live now.
The more we are present, the more you can look around and ask, “What IS beautiful, incredible, interesting, novel, etc. to me NOW?” Just by asking that to myself, I see a cool studio camera setup, flowers on the plants outside, a buddha head, roses on the table in front of me, a beautiful bamboo plant, and some food on the stove. Wow, I’m feeling even MORE boosted by doing this.
This is a habit.
Action Plan
First, accept that depression has a positive intention. To wake you up. Help you improve aspects of your life. There is a saying, why did the dog keep sitting on the nail. Because it didn’t hurt bad enough. Depression hurts. However, you are a winner. You are strong. You will succeed. The intention is to wake you up. It did. Now let’s get out of the pain.
Second, do something that works for you to bring your emotional state up. Even if it’s eating a pint of Ben And Jerry’s Chocolate Ice Cream (only if you send me a liter too). And this is a one time pint.
Third, rewire your brain by relaxing, seeing yourself as you are now, and expanding more and more the emotion to anchor it in to your subconscious and identity. At least once per day.
Fourth, practice self-mind control throughout the day.
Bonus fifth, is track your new reference experiences of whatever their size is. For example, write down things you are noticing on your path toward even more joy and success. Every step forward is a success. Write them down, tell yourself congratulations and focus on the forward progress.
Light, love and happiness,
Eric
