Is depression knocking on your door ?

We all have our moments… sometimes, without any apparent reason, we feel down. We can barely summon enough enthusiasm to go out, to call a friend, to give in to one of your hobbies. All seems pointless, dry, empty.

A depressive state creeps in and slowly takes over, our body seems to ache from all joints and our mind plays out dark scenarios of what that might all mean. It tricks us into believing that there is no escape, we doubt ourselves to the core.

This happens mostly when we do not pay attention, when we are not dedicating ourselves to achieving our goals towards a clear and realistic life purpose. It does not really matter why this happens, it might be different for each of us, so the important thing is to know how to deal with it to better manage the situation and control it in a way that actually serves us.

The first step is to recognize that we are in a slump. It takes a bit of self-awareness, and you realizing that you are not in your best head/heart space.

The difficult part will be to actually do something about it, we usually tend to wait it out, to ask (internally) for more time, we start convincing ourselves that we actually deserve ‘’a break’’, that we  are in control and nothing bad can come out of doing nothing for a week, or drinking that extra glass of wine, or not answering our friends calls, or procrastinating on that task we had in mind… we justify it until it fits. On the long run, a few repetitions and it becomes a behavior. Just a bit more and we’ve got a habit. Then our personality changes into fitting what has just become familiar. Comfortable. Reasonable. And before you know it, that is the new you.

Well, all this can be easily avoided with a few very simple and relatable daily tools that I am going to suggest you add to your toolbox.

1. Exercise: 5 minutes of intense cardio is enough to ''break a sweat'' and amp up our brain, to rise the levels of our endorphins while reducing the ''stress hormones'', inducing a short term euphoria, releasing immediate stress, increases the levels of energy, as well of increasing the levels of Dopamine. These are just a few of the benefits of exercising, and the list in quite long, so not here the place for a complete analysis.
2. Meditate: Start with 5 minutes, work your way up to 10 or 15 minutes, calm your mind, control your breath, become aware of your thoughts and release them with gratitude and no resistance.
3. Nutrition: healthy body = healthy mind -- become aware of your eating, of your preferences and take control of your eating patters: which time, how many times a day, what you eat.

Final thoughts:

      It all starts with being present, hearing your inner conversations. Taking responsibilities for your own thoughts and actions.

The best energy jumps that we can offer to ourselves are:

1. Forgive those who have wronged you! Forgive yourself!
2. Release yourself from the mistakes of the past. Clearing the channel for a new, positive energy to flow.
3. Be thankful for all the small good things in your life. Every night before going to sleep. Just 3 things that you are grateful for.
4. Recognize of the effort you are putting in, give yourself credit for putting in the work. Enjoy the process.
5. Appreciate the progress you are making, and share the success with your friends, loved ones, community.
6. Offer yourself the time to grow. There is no competition, there is just the path. Your path!