If I Was Depressed

Twenty years ago I was a depressed mess. Seriously.

That depression has not returned, but what would I do if it did? Here's what:

1. I would ask God to show me what was wrong, for there is something wrong somewhere. God certainly did not create us to be sad, depressed beings. Uh, no.

2. I'd immediately begin taking Vitamin D3, at least 4,000 units in divided doses. I'd force myself to take walks and sit outside in the sunshine. I'd begin faithfully taking Vitamin B, also.

3. I would ask others to pray for me.

4. I would change my diet over to healthy foods and extremely few processed ones. I'd give my body a couple weeks to get over the shock of such a change before I expected myself to actually feel better. I'd study good health from all sources: the Internet, books, tv, etc.

I'd force myself to do all these things, including exercising indoors and out, for I remember the great pull of not feeling like doing anything. 

5. I'd learn all I could about serotonin levels and how anger, especially, affects them. 

6. I would spend extra quiet time alone with God basking in His presence and the Bible. In His presence is fullness of joy and I would so desire that fullness of joy presence and do whatever it takes to live in that joy again. And not give-up until it was mine.

7. I would find a Bible teacher who lives the kind of joyful life I want, myself, and listen to her/his tapes/cd's/dvd's over and over for hours. (I have been incredibly helped by Joyce Meyer. Daily her program can be watched at her site.) 

8. I would help the people God leads me to. I'd give, show love, even in small ways, even inside the depression. I would go out into the real world and live what I'm learning. I'd grow and stay far away from the stagnation which comes from thinking I've already learned it all.

9. I'd not blame circumstances, other people, nor God. I would not believe a depression lifestyle was His perfect will or incurable for even one second.

10. I would give myself time to heal, yet wait expectantly for God to heal me at any moment. I would notice and praise Him for every tiny improvement along the way. 

11. If, after doing all these things for at least one month, there was no improvement, I would visit a doctor, a holistic type, to discover if there was something physically wrong. I would take the doctor's advice if I had peace with God about it. But prayerfully.

And that's what I would do if I were ever to feel depressed again.





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"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." ... John 15:9-11



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Did you know ...

... certain foods, even healthy ones, may affect your own mood negatively, but not affect your friends/family in the same way?

... certain chemicals in foods and skin care products may affect you negatively, too? (Shampoo, cream rinse, lotion, cologne, etc.) Also, chemicals in candles, insect repellent, fabric refreshers, surface cleaners, detergents, etc. All can be extremely toxic.

... exercise releases endorphins which elevate your mood?

... pent-up anger and disappointment affect your serotonin levels?

... a lack of sleep affects your memory and your general well-being?

... too much or incorrectly-handled stress also affects your memory and mood and health negatively?



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What You Need to Know If Your Life Has Become Dry


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