D E P R E S S I O N A N T I D O T E S – Week of 11.01.99 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A unique newsletter to support, inspire, inform and encourage anyone who is recovering/recovered from depression. IN THIS ISSUE: 1. Notes from the CoachDon’t fight the Flow!This morning finds me dazed and confused – still! So much has happened since I last wrote – Christmas, visiting relatives, having relatives visit, illness, New Year’s Eve, my birthday, parties, dinners, visits/calls from long-lost friends and on and on. I feel very much that it happened to me. That it was beyond my control. And all the time that it was happening I was wondering when it was going to get back to "normal". When I could get on with my life. But when I look back from where I am now I see that that was my life and I missed it. I was caught up in "when this, then this" thinking – "when my life is back to normal I will feel better/be more productive/move forward/get it right etc. etc". But actually it WAS perfect at the time. I did enjoy the different experiences – extra time with my children/partner, being away from the computer, time to read, being in a different environment. But I constantly focussed on what wasn’t happening and what I should be doing and so lessened my pleasure in the moment. I was so busy I forgot to check in with how I was feeling and what I really wanted there and then. I had a picture of how it should be and missed how it was. Fighting the flow just wasted energy. How it was is how it was. It was, and is, perfect. What a huge relief that simple thought brings! Let’s take it into the New Year with us. 2. Depression Antidote No. 6**Stop Struggling and Go With the FLow**Instead of fighting the present make a commitment to go with the flow. Enjoy what life is bringing you now and stop trying to make it different. It’s easy to miss the great things that are happening now by living in the future or the past. Tune in to what you’re feeling in this moment and go with it. Do what you need to do and not what you think you should. Affirmation: When I relax and go with the flow I recognise the perfection of my life. WARNING: There is a conspiracy afoot to convince us that struggle is a good thing - that nothing has value unless you have struggled for it. I’ve just spent an hour searching the Internet for a positive quote about life without struggle. I didn’t find one! Don’t buy into these outdated messages. 3. Alternative ApproachAromatherapyAromatherapy is a treatment system designed to assist the body’s natural ability to heal and maintain itself through the use of essential oils, extracted from varying parts of plants. Writings on the use of these oils were published in China some 2,000 years before Christ and there is evidence they were used in ancient Egypt. An aromatherapist uses a specific blend of oils depending upon the needs of the person being treated and usually applies them to the skin through massage. They work by the absorption of minute quantities through the skin, and also through the inhalation of the aroma. Easy methods to use at home are oil burners or adding a few drops to your bath. Particularly recommended for depression are the oils bergamot and clary sage. (Never apply directly to the skin nor ingest). Aromatherapy can benefit many conditions and assists healing on the physical, emotional and mental levels. 4. Resources**Life was never meant to be a struggle by Stuart Wilde** 5. Just for Fun"I see you were last employed by a psychiatrist," said the employer to the applicant. "Why did you leave?" 6. Future Editions - RequestIn future editions of Depression Antidotes I would like to include reader's experiences, tips and recommended resources. If you have anything you’d like to contribute, please email me at the address below.
Have a wonder-filled week Nancy
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