If you have felt depressed for a long period of time you know precisely what it feels like; it is as though life has slowed down, lost its vibrancy and color and sense of expansiveness.
If you are depressed you might feel spiritless as if you are numb, hollow and empty inside and each waking moment makes you feel more and more diminished rather than expanded.
Feeling depressed makes us lose touch with the joy of living and throughout our lives we all, to some extent, experience this loss. While some of us get back in touch with the vibrancy of living, others of us continue to struggle – mostly against ourselves.
When I went through my own heavy bout of depression I was completely unaware at the time that the reason why I felt so oppressed was not because of other people victimizing me or life punishing me, but rather the endless barrage of toxic self-talk, festering core beliefs and deep unresolved core wounds inside that were making my life a living hell.
I had created a prison within my mind full of limiting beliefs about myself (“I am bad,” “I deserve to be punished,” “I’m worthless”), endless self-put-downs (“You can’t do anything right,” “You are such a mess,” “You’re a loser”) and perpetual judgments about others (“People can’t be trusted,” “People are out to get me,” “No one else is like me or can understand me”).
Before I knew it, life truly felt like a jail cell. But even despite the overwhelming oppressive weight of everyday life I knew, deep down, that there was something “much more” to life.
Slowly, as I began to explore this elusive “something else” I came to discover different ways of expanding my very limited, constricted and narrow sense of self, and with these discoveries came my ultimate conclusion: what “we” think “we” are is such a lie and delusion. We are so much bigger than what we ever imagined.
But I will leave you to discover the details of this realization for yourself.
Recommended: How to Supercharge Your Dopamine Levels Naturally and Never Feel Depressed or Anxious Again
In the meantime, you may, or may not find the following practices helpful – but I hope they are. Even if they aren’t I hope they expand your sense of possibility:
1. Reflect on the Sky
The trap that the depressed person falls into is living a very insular life. When you go outside and stare up at the endless blue expanse above, a part of your mind expands as well.
Suddenly your problems don’t seem so big or end-of-the-world. There is something particularly mystical about the sky which I have always loved and continue to admire.
So the next time there is a clear (or partly cloudy) day, go and sit in a chair, on a bench or simply lie down somewhere comfortable and let yourself be lost in the world above.
2. Go “Forest Bathing” (Shinrin Yoku)
I have written about this topic before. The Japanese believe that taking a regular stroll in the forest is very beneficial for one’s well-being.
Forest bathing is said to increase feelings of calmness and joy while decreasing depression, anxiety and blood pressure. It is also said to increase mental concentration while lowering blood sugar levels.
Recommended: 5 Bad Habits that Drain Your Vital Energy
Personally, I don’t live near a woodland or forest, but I do live near a big park that helps me to shake off any stuffy, constricted feelings inside. Give it a try, even if it means pacing outside in your backyard.
3. Watch a Documentary About Other People/Places/Times
Depression tends to trick us into feeling that we are at the center of everything. An interesting way to break through this illusion is to watch documentaries about completely alien people and places.
Some of the best ever documentaries that I have watched include Samsara (2011), Baraka (1992), Life in a Day (2011) and Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey (2014).
There are so many free documentaries out there about different places, people, cultures, and outer space, so take your pick. You might notice your sense of self-expanding during and after watching them.
4. Listen to Ambient, “Trippy” Music
In my darker years, I would listen to a lot of heavy metal and darkwave music. Although it was an outlet for the unhappiness I felt and made me feel “almost understood,” it nevertheless contributed to my melancholy and inner angst, paradoxically releasing it but building it up at the same time.
Eventually, as I began to explore different ways of expanding my mind and sense of self, I stumbled across the ambient genre of music.
I’ve gone through a number of different styles of ambient music throughout the years, but I would recommend listening to any type of nature sound (forest, ocean, rain, fire) or any instrument used in music therapy (take a look at this article for inspiration). Other artists, I love listening to include Deuter, Enya, Balmorhea, Deep Forest and Lisa Gerrard.
5. Try Holotropic Breathwork
Originally developed by psychiatrist Stanislav Grof, holotropic breathwork is a natural way of inducing an altered state of conscious, utilizing rhythmic and accelerated breathing with evocative music (usually drums beating).
First developed in the 1970’s, holotropic breathwork is said to help your psyche repair itself through a profound state of consciousness that can usually be reached through deep meditation or psychedelic drugs.
As Grof explains in his book Psychology of the Future, ” … in holotropic states, we can transcend the narrow boundaries of the body ego and reclaim our full identity.”
Recommended: 7 Ways To Stop Leaking & Losing Your Spiritual Energy
Even if you don’t opt to explore holotropic breathwork, focusing on your breathing is another simple technique I have found to effectively ground yourself in the present moment, helping to release you from the confines of your mind.
***
There are so many ways to expand your consciousness when feeling depressed, and this article lists only a few of the main techniques I used to interrupt my cycles of misery.
It is likely that on your own path of healing you will stumble across many other techniques. I hope that you can take the time to share any of your own discoveries with us below!
Source: lonerwolf
This post was a joy to read from beginning to end! Your expertise on the subject shines through in every paragraph, making complex topics accessible and interesting. Your passion for the subject matter is infectious, and I can’t wait to see what topic you tackle next. Excellent job.
에그슬롯
그래서 서둘러 가마를 타고 대명궁에 도착했습니다.
더 도그 하우스 메가웨이즈
Hongzhi 황제는 “Shengming에 대해 말하면 당신의 혀를 잘랐습니다. “라고 화를 냈습니다.
문 프린세스
그것은 바다의 짐승과 같으며 한 번도 패배한 적이 없다고 합니다.
마종 웨이즈
Fang Jifan은 자동차 작동 방식을 계속 설명했습니다.
5 라이온스 메가웨이즈
이 세상에는 항상 솔선수범하여 높은 무대에 오른 대담한 사람들이 있습니다.
피망 슬롯
소개를 하자 해맑은 웃음이 터졌다.
꽁 머니 슬롯
차장은 이를 악물고 스스로 말에 올라타 사기를 진작시키기 위해 브로드소드를 두드렸다.
The approach to topics is like a master painter’s to a canvas, with each stroke adding depth and perspective.
프라그마틱 무료 슬롯
그리고 Liu Jian의 다른 의미는… 어떤 대가를 치르더라도.
The posts are like a cozy nook, inviting and comfortable, where I can immerse myself in thoughts.
The consistency and high quality of The content are something I really appreciate. Thank you for The dedication.
I’m bookmarking this for future reference. The advice is spot on!
The consistency and high quality of The content are something I really appreciate. Thank you for The dedication.
아시아 슬롯
Fang Jifan은 앉아서 다리를 꼬고 약간 뒤로 기대고 자연스럽게 “차”라고 말했습니다.
The warmth and intelligence in The writing is as comforting as a cozy blanket on a cold night.
The work is both informative and thought-provoking. I’m really impressed by the high quality of The content.
슬롯 게임 사이트
Zhu Houzhao는 자신을 전혀 외부인으로 대하지 않았습니다.
The Writing is like a lighthouse for my curiosity, guiding me through the fog of information.
The insights add so much value to the conversation. I always learn something new from you.
맥심 슬롯
아이는 훌쩍거리며 “간호사를 원해, 간호사를 원해”라고 외쳤다.
79 슬롯
사실 Liu Jian과 Liu Jie는 모두 어안이 벙벙했습니다.
You’ve opened my eyes to new perspectives. Thank you for the enlightenment!
Bookmarking this! The practical advice is something I’ll definitely be coming back to.
Impressed by The nuanced clarity. It’s like you’re explaining quantum physics to a toddler, and they get it.
The article was a joy to read, and The enthusiasm is as infectious as The charm.
Making hard to understand topics accessible is a gift, and you have it. Thanks for sharing it with us.
슬롯 게임 사이트
이때 Fang Jifan은 다시 그를 때렸습니다. “개, 동의합니까?”
슬롯 모아 무료
이 더 큰 함대가 Daming으로 무엇을 가져왔는지 모르겠습니다.
무료 슬롯
“나의 스승은 절대 포기하지 않았고, 나는 활을 열 수 있다!” 그들은 속속 화답했다.