Are You In A Rut? By Patrick DeFrancesco, DC “ I
am in a rut,” is often heard from many who are depressed. Ruts have been called “graves with the ends kicked out”– ruts are not a great place to live.
Today, more than ever, patients are diagnosed with clinical depression, and antidepressant pharmaceutical sales are soar- ing. People are masking a condition that needs to be handled properly. We need to look into this condition, learn why it is on the rise, and then investigate natural, safe solutions to reduce its effects.
Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines depression as: an area
lower than the surrounding one, sadness or gloom, or a period of decline in business activity and employment. The term can pertain to many situations or activities; when a person is depressed all areas of his/her life are affected, from the social to the physical and mental. Why are so many people depressed today? Could our lives be so demanding and competitive that the resulting pressure causes it? There are several symptoms of depression and some of the more common ones are worth mentioning here. They include: increased irritability; feelings of worthlessness or guilt; agitation or restlessness; fatigue and loss of energy; trouble thinking clearly, making decisions or concentrating; disturbed sleep such as insomnia; changes in appe- tite or weight; decreased sex drive; and thoughts of death or suicide. When people begin to experience these symptoms they might brush them off and think they are fine – at first. Perhaps they suppress the symptoms with medications, illegal drugs or too much alcohol. What they may not realize is that depression, and a chronic negative at- titude, may also be lowering their resistance, thus affecting not only their health and well-being, but their longevity. Most people with symptoms of depression benefit from coach-
ing that revolves around cognitive changes and goal setting. Re- programming your mind to think positively is crucial in beating depression. In our society many successful people have a life coach assist them, especially when times are difficult. There are many other avenues one can try to obtain help with depression. We will explore simple and effective ways to combat depression. These action steps will help you return to an active and productive life. First, find a professional therapist to talk with about what you are experiencing. Usually the best method of finding a therapist is by word of mouth. Never feel insecure about going to a therapist for help. Once you begin to ask around for recommendations, it will become obvious how many people go. A good rule to follow is, if the therapist prescribes medication immediately, they may not be the correct match for you. The next area that needs to be looked at is your organiza-
tional skills. You become what you surround yourself with. So if your home, auto, or office are in chaos and unorganized, you will become that way internally. How many of you clean your home and organize your desk, closet, and other areas that surround you? After you do so it feels good, as if someone removed weights from your
30 Natural Nutmeg June 2012
shoulders. Reevaluate your surroundings and realize that
less is more. Adopt a minimalis- tic lifestyle. If you have less to worry about then stress goes down and posi- tive feelings rise.
Another step to help fight depression
is to exercise daily. People who suffer with depression often say, “I can’t get the ener- gy to do it.” To conquer depressed thoughts and actions you need to move above those thoughts and push yourself to get out of your
room or off the couch in order to begin an exercise program. Start off slow and go for a 30 minute walk. Other options for exercise include yoga, working out at a gym around other people, swimming, or biking in a group. The benefits of exercise are twofold when fighting depression: it gets you out and around other people and increases your body’s metabolism and release of natural pain killers, which helps you begin to experience good energized feelings again. Plus, if you feel better about the way you look, depression will decrease dramatically. Monitor your food choices to help diminish depressed feelings.
Avoid sugar, too many carbohydrates or other junk foods. Consider a full-body dietary cleanse and you will be amazed how little food you need to function on a daily basis. Most people overeat inappropriate foods and wonder why they are not feeling optimal. Gravitate toward a whole food diet rich in fruits and vegetables. As cliché as this may sound, you ARE what you eat. Nutrition is a vital link in the fight against depression. Also, consider adding a few choice supplements to your diet such as Folic acid, GABA, Inositol, Omega 3’s, and St John’s Wort. Lastly, the power of touch helps restore the body’s inner energy
which promotes a healthy attitude. Forms of body work that have been shown to reduce the symptoms of depression include therapeu- tic massage, reiki (energy work) , chiropractic care, and acupunc- ture. These forms of healing have been in existence for hundreds of years and are extremely beneficial in restoring proper energy flow throughout the body. Many of these practitioners can be found in the resource section in the back of this magazine or by personal referral. These potential solutions in the management of depression will
only be effective if you organize a weekly plan of implementation. It gets back to organization and the ability to motivate yourself to action. Start today by taking one step toward recovery and control of this condition. Remember, stress is an ignorant state. It believes that everything is an emergency. You have everything you need for change. Now just do it!
Submitted by Dr. Patrick DeFrancesco of Chiropractic Health Center of Glastonbury. For more information, contact 860-657-8800 or visit
www.glastonburychiro.com.
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