In the spiritual realm of some cultures, depression is viewed as the dark night of the soul and considered by some to be one path to a better version of yourself. If you are 1 of the 121 million people all over the world that have suffered from depression, you may find there are a plethora of resources to explore when seeking healing. With a few considerations, you can find the path that is right for you.

What is Depression?

Clinical depression is defined as persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness. Further, it is characterized by fatigue, excessive sleeping (hypersomnia) or lack of sleep (insomnia), weight loss or gain, apathy or loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable, and recurring thoughts of death and suicide.

Become Self Aware

If you are on the path of self help, the sheer number of available resources can be instantly overwhelming. To know where to begin, it is helpful to first ask yourself a series of questions that evaluate why you feel the way you do. Keeping a daily journal will allow you to monitor your thoughts and narrow in on any feelings of shame, anxiety, stress, regret, or fear that can be powerful roadblocks. Discovering the source of your emotions can lead you down a path of healing and focus your efforts on the proper materials, such as books that offer a spiritual guide for depression.

Create New Patterns

Psychiatrists that follow a more holistic approach in addition to traditional medicine, recognize the need to address the rampant thoughts that create an environment for depression. Many find mindfulness practices, meditation, and affirmations to be helpful. Depression can make it difficult to create positive thoughts you can trust and believe in so books with daily affirmations or devotionals can be a great starting place. Additionally, once you discover negative thoughts and the actions that trigger them, you can work to approach these situations differently and seek out materials on these specific issues.

Seek Help

Psychotherapy is useful in helping people get past their depression. By speaking your issues out loud and allowing yourself to be heard, you cognitively piece together solutions and healing that allow you to get past your depression. Overwhelming feelings of hopelessness can persist if you do not have a objective third party or professional to help you sort out the emotions. The right professional for you will listen to your concerns and send you in the right direction toward healing through a detailed plan that includes the mind, body, and spirit.

Remaining open to various and, at times, nuanced solutions is the key to diminishing the grip of depression. It is important to remember that there are specific things that will work for you that may or may not work for others. Total well-being occurs when the body, mind, and spirit are in balance. It is all a part of knowing yourself better and finding the bits and pieces that fit.

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