How to escape from the clutches of depression?

Usha Sheshadari gives some valuable tips to stay mentally healthy and live happily always

PRAVASISAMWAD.COM

If one were asked to define 21st Century in one word, the catchword would undoubtedly be “Depression”. This malady has come to prominence due to its unbiased attitude, as it strikes all classes, genders and ages. Its effect on people ranges from physical illnesses brought on by it to mental torture, and in extreme cases, fatality, often by suicide. Let us take a closer look at this phenomenon.

First, Why?

These are times of greater social visibility compared to the previous decades. We are constantly peering across others’ lives. This leads to comparison and competition being brought into our homes as a constant feature. This constant need to live up to the image of “Perfection” causes continuous stress leading to depression.

Secondly, densely-packed urban areas face “thought-pollution”. Others’ thoughts unconsciously influence us. As they do not often resonate with our true selves, they cause mental and spiritual disease within us, leading to varying degrees of depression.

We can well protect ourselves by the following:

1. Constantly guarding against feeling “low”. For example, when sadness strikes, uplifting the mood by doing what we love (gardening, e.g.), relaxing (music, perhaps), instant mood-lifting activity like watching a movie or exercising/ going for a walk amidst nature. Eating coloured foods or wearing red is yet another trick.
2. Burning a bay leaf when the atmosphere is thick with stress is an instant relief provider. This is Aromatherapy, not magic.
3. Meditation is by far the best and no-cost solution whose benefits are immense as it leads to thoughtlessness.
4. Pets are great to relieve stress so that it does not build up to depression.
5. Having someone to listen to you non-judgmentally when you need to vent is yet another remedy. So make close friends and meet up regularly.

So depression is not an indefensible enemy, and we can easily escape its clutches and live happily always.

(Usha Sheshadari keeps a keen interest in Yoga and spirituality. She has been practising Samarpan Meditation since 2010.)

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