A New Prescription for the Relief of Depression
Live in Authentic Happiness
There is widespread research to confirm how CBT and other forms of therapy help alleviate depression. It is important if you feel a low level sadness that comes and goes based on new or reoccurring situations in your life, or perhaps a deep rooted feeling of sadness that never seems to leave, or clinical depression that you are treating with medication; that you also embrace tools and strategies that become the life skills and healthy habits that support and reveal how you can find a reprieve and moments of inner peace, contentment and the authentic happiness that reminds you of how it is possible to live in these positive states, by choice.
Here, I share a positive and holistic practice to free yourself from depression, and to help you move your thoughts and actions into self-kindness, self-care and self-love. This begins by thinking of yourself as a part of the greater whole; of remembering that you are not alone even when it may seem that way; and that by being of kindness and care for others, you feel uplifted and the same or similar feelings of love and gratitude for your goodness – in return.
I’m talking about kindness as service in words and action; and a way to connect with others that elicit within you the resources to feel of purpose, of goodness; and to give of yourself in kind and deliberate ways; and of course to feel love from within because to be kind and loving outward, it must first originate from you.
The key to feeling your happiness aside from choosing thoughts that will elicit a desired feeling state, is to consider the ways in which you can be of service; help, guidance, love, kindness, compassion, and thoughtfulness. The path to feeling happy, uplifted, expansive and of joy is also the path of love and service.
You can be of service in a solitude activity, if that activity is in some way connected to doing and giving to others. In fact, it now may become even more important to you. ; and it may challenge you to do your best. When we do something altruistically, we naturally want to do our very best; we want to show others how capable we are and to offer them something incredible.
“There are many reasons why we need to create beyond our need to earn a living. To live inspired is at the heart of our life choices lived daily.”
We need to remember the greater whole; that we are connected to each other. Sharing your innate abilities and gifts, and creative pursuits that nourish your soul; all have the greater distinction of revealing the importance of being of service and of being all that you already are through sharing of yourself and your talents; and this includes honing your skills through practice, repetition, through artful desire; to allow yourself to contribute to the greater whole of the planet; and more specifically, to what another person or any living being may need in any given moment; and to what you felt inspired by that you allow yourself to share unequivocally; and with love and kindness felt from within.
“Your heart opens instantly whenever you give to another. The pure act of giving is the mechanism for feeling purposeful and of help.”
You feel your innate happiness when you share of yourself. One of the simplest and most profound means of this is through random acts of kindness that are available to us in all moments. This can be through creative pursuits, of offering kindness in words and also in deliberate action.
What you will begin to notice is that you doing what you enjoy and sharing this as an offering to others with kindness and love, is how you help yourself overcome sadness, loneliness, and depression.
To be expansive is to be more; more than you already are – through acts of kindness and love, through service and your willingness to do and be more. Through giving of yourself, even when you feel down or sad, lonely or depressed, is an act of kindness that takes you out of dwelling on your worries or sorrow. To think of others and of their situation including what you could do to be of help in a way that is easy for you, moves you into a space of positivism, care, thoughtfulness, and the energy of loving-kindness.
You enlighten others with your creativity, your authenticity, your vulnerability; your kindness and care.
This is what truly sets you apart from the focus you place unto your self, especially when you are not happy. Humans thrive when we expand in our scope of reference and our mindful awareness that includes the thinking of the well being of others.
This translates into kindness and care given, and of course received; because the moment that you give – your act of giving is the action that opens your heart in to be love – to feel love as the energy that courses through your body.
This is what we all thrive on. Now you have the formula for accessing true compassionate spiritual love that is wrapped up so beautifully in the act of giving – and being – who you already are.
Go and be love. Be kindness in action. Through action and effort, and of course the ever-available nature, you have to do good; to be of service, to offer help in the ways that you can, you experience your innate capacity for being love in action.
This is the intangible nature of using our inherent gifts and talents for good. We all possess unique abilities that are meant to be shared. This is how we help beyond the transaction of money and commerce.
“Service is an act of love.”
If you are struggling to feel good about yourself; to think positively; to be uplifted because of what you are grateful for, consider that you can help yourself to feel better the moment that you think beyond yourself and also what another may be in need of that you can offer. It begins with opening your awareness and your heart – beyond yourself.
As I would with a client in a session of therapy and life coaching (and spiritual guidance), collaboratively suggest some homework practice, this is what I suggest of you. Give of yourself. Find ways each day to do what you enjoy; what you love and to share this with one person or the whole world; and then repeat. This is your path and an effective prescription for feeling innate happiness – and purpose – and love that originates from within.
And an end note: I’m also going to provide you with a PDF list of additional therapy best practices, journal prompts for self-introspection, links to helpful meditations and mindfulness teachings and more on acts of service that will help you get started. Think of this as a helpful guide and a gift from me to you, that you can download and implement immediately.
Grab it here: PDF GUIDE to Help with Depression
Namaste!
More Love, More Relief of Depression…
