Cure for your depression..

[impermanence]

A half hour Yoga/stretching every morning, followed by at least 15 minutes of mental silence, total mind silence. Then on your own terms, an hour of creativity (painting or whatever) while enjoying classical music coupled with an hour of cardiovascular exercise, be it brisk walking, jogging, swimming, whatever, as long as it's tough and make your heart pound!!

That's nearly three hours of me time, everybody can fit that in if they wanted to, you're worth it, you'll feel and look amazing after three weeks of this, I promise you.

[breezinreezin]

A half hour Yoga/stretching every morning, followed by at least 15 minutes of mental silence, total mind silence. Then on your own terms, an hour of creativity (painting or whatever) while enjoying classical music coupled with an hour of cardiovascular exercise, be it brisk walking, jogging, swimming, whatever, as long as it's tough and make your heart pound!!

That's nearly three hours of me time, everybody can fit that in if they wanted to, you're worth it, you'll feel and look amazing after three weeks of this, I promise you.

Glad you're feeling better. Sounds like a good recipe, although 15 minutes of TOTAL mind silence is a very tall order. The ego won't usually let you get past 15 milliseconds before reigning you in;)

[measle_weasel]

A half hour Yoga/stretching every morning, followed by at least 15 minutes of mental silence, total mind silence. Then on your own terms, an hour of creativity (painting or whatever) while enjoying classical music coupled with an hour of cardiovascular exercise, be it brisk walking, jogging, swimming, whatever, as long as it's tough and make your heart pound!!

That's nearly three hours of me time, everybody can fit that in if they wanted to, you're worth it, you'll feel and look amazing after three weeks of this, I promise you.

Sounds like a good system.

[thenymph]

A half hour Yoga/stretching every morning, followed by at least 15 minutes of mental silence, total mind silence. Then on your own terms, an hour of creativity (painting or whatever) while enjoying classical music coupled with an hour of cardiovascular exercise, be it brisk walking, jogging, swimming, whatever, as long as it's tough and make your heart pound!!

That's nearly three hours of me time, everybody can fit that in if they wanted to, you're worth it, you'll feel and look amazing after three weeks of this, I promise you.

You are so right, impermanence. It's much more beneficial than solely relying on chemicals for help, although I concede that these are sometimes needed in extreme cases, especially in these extremely trying times when some folks become acutely ill.

Doing these "activities" can only enhance the benefit of a medication, whether pharma or natural, as they are cognitive and build mental strength through self-help. This is very important if depressed people are to find new ways of thinking in order to help themselves and learn to take back their lives.

You are also spot on in what you say about feeling and looking better !!!

Thank you.

[impermanence]

Cheers guys, I hope people consider this before going to a GP and being dosed with chemicals. Even mainstream media agrees with the power of mediation:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/3536577/Buddhist-meditation-as-good-as-drugs-at-beating-depression.html

[unimatrix0]

There's no way I have that much time to spare. I have two kids under 4 that I am with all day. I'm already sleep deprived, so getting up hours earlier than the kids just isn't an option. I do get to exercise most days though, which helps.
I do plan on getting back to meditation and creativity when they get a bit older! Before I had kids, I once went to a 10 day vipassana retreat. It was difficult, but really rewarding.

[impermanence]

There's no way I have that much time to spare. I have two kids under 4 that I am with all day. I'm already sleep deprived, so getting up hours earlier than the kids just isn't an option. I do get to exercise most days though, which helps.
I do plan on getting back to meditation and creativity when they get a bit older! Before I had kids, I once went to a 10 day vipassana retreat. It was difficult, but really rewarding.

Depression cares not for time schedules. :rolleyes:

Nobody has time for anything these days, do you think you're special? You have to MAKE TIME. ;)

[deadskinball]

Chronic Clinical Depression is something I battled. Self esteem and motivational issues as well with a hint of OCD.

A combination of drugs, therapy, good diet and exercise.

ie: Zoloft equivalent SSRI, DBT (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dialectical_behavior_therapy), all foods in right ratios and mountainbike riding.

- SSRI knocked off the chemical imbalance.
- DBT taught me how to persevere until I could understand the way I am and slowly change my state of mind and keep those changes.
- lots of Veg, Pasta, Meat.
- Bushbashing = adrenaline and endorphin (and lose weight, and sleep well, and increased fitness = BIG self esteem boost).

Your mileage may vary.

[thenymph]

Chronic Clinical Depression is something I battled. Self esteem and motivational issues as well with a hint of OCD.

A combination of drugs, therapy, good diet and exercise.

ie: Zoloft equivalent SSRI, DBT (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dialectical_behavior_therapy), all foods in right ratios and mountainbike riding.

- SSRI knocked off the chemical imbalance.
- DBT taught me how to persevere until I could understand the way I am and slowly change my state of mind and keep those changes.
- lots of Veg, Pasta, Meat.
- Bushbashing = adrenaline and endorphin (and lose weight, and sleep well, and increased fitness = BIG self esteem boost).

Your mileage may vary.

I'm interested in your comment about DBT and will look it up. Is it similar to CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Theraphy) ? I understand that "changing the thought" is an important part of recovery, which isn't always easy, is it ?!

I also understand how self-esteem plays a big part in it all, the benefits of exercise and keeping fit, and the endorphins this gives you.

Also, have you given any thought to trying St John's Wort ?

[unimatrix0]

Depression cares not for time schedules. :rolleyes:

Nobody has time for anything these days, do you think you're special? You have to MAKE TIME. ;)

Umm, no I don't think I'm special, but my children are. When you're a parent, your needs don't come first. There's no need to be rude.

[armoured_amazon]

A half hour Yoga/stretching every morning, followed by at least 15 minutes of mental silence, total mind silence. Then on your own terms, an hour of creativity (painting or whatever) while enjoying classical music coupled with an hour of cardiovascular exercise, be it brisk walking, jogging, swimming, whatever, as long as it's tough and make your heart pound!!

That's nearly three hours of me time, everybody can fit that in if they wanted to, you're worth it, you'll feel and look amazing after three weeks of this, I promise you.

Banging heavy weights at the gym and going on the rower, rowing 5 km while swearing works for me. :)

[impermanence]

Umm, no I don't think I'm special, but my children are. When you're a parent, your needs don't come first. There's no need to be rude.

I'm not being rude, I'm being honest. Make time or be miserable, it's up to you.

[unimatrix0]

I'm not being rude, I'm being honest. Make time or be miserable, it's up to you.

Yes, because you know everything, it seems. I'll just leave my kids home alone so I can go have my quiet time.

And to be honest, as difficult as the past couple of years have been, I'm so much more fulfilled now than all those years I spent on Buddhism and spiritual "enlightenment". I may be stressed and make sacrifices to my health, but some things are more important. I'm facing reality and dealing with it in a way that is right for me and my family.

[impermanence]

Yes, because you know everything, it seems. I'll just leave my kids home alone so I can go have my quiet time.

And to be honest, as difficult as the past couple of years have been, I'm so much more fulfilled now than all those years I spent on Buddhism and spiritual "enlightenment". I may be stressed and make sacrifices to my health, but some things are more important. I'm facing reality and dealing with it in a way that is right for me and my family.

Because you know everything. ;)

[unimatrix0]

I know that I was put in situations where I couldn't for the life of me live up to my ideals of right and wrong. Life is grey for many and what's right for one isn't right for everyone.
This thread has definitely helped me to see how much I've grown in accepting myself and dropping the guilt for not being someone else.

[element]

Glad you're feeling better. Sounds like a good recipe, although 15 minutes of TOTAL mind silence is a very tall order. The ego won't usually let you get past 15 milliseconds before reigning you in;)
Practice will do..;)

[deadskinball]

I'm interested in your comment about DBT and will look it up. Is it similar to CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Theraphy) ? I understand that "changing the thought" is an important part of recovery, which isn't always easy, is it ?!

I also understand how self-esteem plays a big part in it all, the benefits of exercise and keeping fit, and the endorphins this gives you.

Also, have you given any thought to trying St John's Wort ?

I gave CBT a try and the main difference between the two (DBT & CBT) was that CBT gives you a workaround and an alternative option to the way one feels. Whereas DBT tackles those issues that are the reasons for one to use wordarounds. It does not change the past, but i was living in the past and i was going around in cirlces in my head.

If anyone tries them both, do CBT first to give you workarounds to your state of mind (doesn't take long to learn an alternative - it could even be one session if it just a minor thing, but usually its weekly appointments for 3months). Once you are in a routine to identify your mental reaction to a certain scenario (its like tripping yourself up before you slide further downhill - this may take 3months), then take on a session of DBT (which should last a year of weekly appointments but you can go at your own speed) and tackle the reaction to a scenario itself instead of trying to limit their impact (ala CBT).

And: you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink.

You have a want to change. If someone is forcing you to do it, it probably won't sink in.

The skill of the DBT psychologist will be able to get under you shell when you least want them to.

I tried StJW about ten years ago and didn't do much. I guess the lightweight effect wasn't enough to cut thru the way I was. SSRI on the other hand can give you quite altered state of mind and takes the edge off bad (and good) thoughts. Bad ones are the bad ones!

And when you geto off them, enjoy Zoloft zaps (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SSRI_discontinuation_syndrome).

[icke_is_right]

Being relaxed, content and at one with yourself and the world helps.

I take linseed oil, excercise regularly and concentrate on mind issues eg ego, self sabotage and detach and analyse from outside myself.

I've found one of the biggest factors is alcohol abstinance. I find that chemicals/drugs throw me more off balance.

However, with a different mindset, most things should not make too much difference.

[armoured_amazon]

Being relaxed, content and at one with yourself and the world helps.

It's a nice notion. :)