Recovering from Depression (cont'd)

Celebrating Your Life

Image: Silver Favorites, by Sir Lawrence Alma-TademaIf there's one effect that depression seems to have on everyone who has it, it's that it drains the joy from life. Not only that, but it seems to drain the color from the world, sap the taste from food, and deaden the notes in music. When one is depressed, it's possible to notice that the sky is blue, but impossible to enjoy the brilliant color. Now that you've recovered from depression, you owe it to yourself to re-awaken your senses and your joy in living and to re-discover the world. This is a chance to experience what is almost a rebirth from the darkness into the bright light and sensations of the outside world.

One very important thing that you need to do is to go outside! I know that when you were depressed you probably retreated to the safety of your bedroom as much as possible. You have to be pretty sick of those four walls. No matter what season it is in your part of the globe, you should get outside and enjoy all the world has to offer. There's a school of thought that believes some modern ills are due to our dis-connection from nature. Whether that's true or not, spending time outside in a garden, on a beach or in a forest goes a long way toward healing and revitalizing your spirit.

Go for a walk after work every day, or every morning. Look at everything around you, listen to the sounds, and stop and smell your neighbor's flowers (if they won't mind). If you're so inclined, start your own garden. That will give you both time outside and something to enhance your enjoyment of the outside. Consider bringing your exercise outside, especially if you are doing tai-chi. If you have kids, go outside and play ball with them, even if you're not particularly athletic - they won't care.

Chances are that your appetite was also a depression casualty, and you didn't think too much about what you were eating or how it tasted. Take the time now to re-awaken your sense of taste. Enjoy sensual taste combinations like fresh strawberries and (real) whipped cream, ripe tomato slices with fresh mozzarella and balsamic vinaigrette, and fresh bread with unsalted butter. A very tasty (and nutritious) accompaniment to your exercise routine is a fruit smoothie - fresh or frozen fruit, yoghurt and juice blended for about a minute.

The idea of holistic health, that we need to consider the condition of the whole body if there is an illness, is becoming more popular in the West. Depression, as a whole-body illness, needs to be treated with more than just medicine or therapy. By keeping your body and soul in the best shape you can, especially by lowering your stress and staying healthy, you reduce the chances that you'll fall back into the pit of depression.

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