Using All of Your Senses to Overcome Depression

Depression isn't always a clinical problem for men and women today. People are given medication and told to follow methods of treatment for what is basically an overdose of sadness. Though there are some instances where people are clinically depressed, most of the time it's simply an overwhelming sad feeling you're experiencing that's brought on by loss, guilt, heartbreak, betrayal, and other things that can really bruise your heart and make you feel like less of a person.

It goes without saying that every human being, no matter what your walk of life or situation, has incomprehensible value in this world. I strongly believe that inside every person, there's a sense of self worth that just needs to be discovered and held up to the light to achieve it's full, beautiful potential. Even though that sense is imbedded inside all of us, there are still things that can happen to every person that can turn your happiness into depression. Luckily, there are ways to boost your mood and remind you how beautiful life can be without even having to leave the house...because let's face it, you don't really want to leave if you're depressed!

Using your sense of smell:

Our moods are effected the most by what we take in through our senses. What we smell, hear, see, feel, and taste are very important to the state we are in emotionally. There are certain scents that have been used throughout history to boost your mood and help make you feel better. For example, uplifting scents that are light and airy can make your entire body feel lighter and thus boost your mood quickly. These scents include but are obviously not limited to; lavender, jasmine, chamomile (which also helps with that depression induced insomnia!), cedar, sandalwood, rose, minty scents and citrus cents. Try finding them in candles or incense cones or sticks, and light some any time those bad memories start to send you back into a depression. When trying to overcome heartbreak, citrus or minty fresh scents like peppermint, orange, lemon, and grapefruit can really bring your mood from hopeless to hopeful in a flash.

Using your sense of sight:

As for sight as well as scent, try making sure you're not spending your recovery time in a drab room full of dull colors that will only make you feel worse. It's a bit much to tell you to paint your rooms pink and orange every time someone breaks up with you, but it's a good idea to have some bright, motivational things as part of your decor. If you don't have anything nice to spruce up your living space, or if your living situation is the reason for your depression, the easiest remedy is to simply spend more time outdoors! If you're not into camping, why not give it a try? Call up any remaining trusted friends for an impromptu camping trip, or just take one yourself to really enjoy and take in our beautiful world and how serene it can be in the wilderness alone. Personal reflection time is incredibly important, so even if you're not willing to try camping alone or with someone else, try simply taking more walks outside. This step is a little difficult for people not content with their living situation who also live in a very big city, miles and miles away from any place they can freely walk and just observe nature. If you live in a city that's too big to enjoy the natural world, you can plan a trip, or make your inside area look more like the outside area with props or a paint brush! The best way to remember why you're alive is to remember how beautiful our planet is and what a gift it is for us all to be on it.

Using your senses to feel and hear:

Now that you've got sight and scent down, it's easy to worry about touching and hearing. Sure, if you're depressed, you could be at one of the extremes and either desperately need or angrily reject any hugs or affection coming your way. Since you need to learn to cope with your sadness alone in order to fully recover, it's important to make yourself comfortable all around and keep your mind as clear as you can. A simple way is to find your most comfortable chair or couch and just lounge for a while. Dealing with the burden of sadness every day is a daunting task, and you deserve to chill out! Music that's serene and uplifting will drag you right out of that slump you're in and stick you back up on that high pedestal where you belong. Sounds that are reminiscent of good weather like birds, a soft wind, and the ocean can give your room a peaceful ambiance that will cheer you up inside. If you don't have any place comfortable enough to sit and relax through your depression, buy a beanbag chair! Even the cheap ones that crush and flatten over time are wonderful in the first week or so of use, giving your body the flexibility to lean any which way is most comfortable as you fill your ears with sweet sounds. If ambient nature sounds aren't helping you relax, try classical music that isn't filled with mostly somber violin or piano solos. (That would be pretty counterproductive!) What you could also try is listening to some songs you already know yourself to have some ability to cheer you up, like your favorite band or favorite CD.

Using your sense of taste:

The only sense left that you have to snap out of depression is your sense of taste. Naturally, healthy fresh foods will make your body feel great and your mind feel alert, awake, and productive. If you don't feel sluggish or tired, your depression is sure to go away much sooner than if you went around moping all the time! Try eating lots of fruit and vegetable salads, and stick to grains that aren't going to stick to your waist. Eat lots of rye and wheat instead of white breads and bread products, also get your fill of fresh fruits like peaches, nectarines, apples, pears, and bananas. These are filling and sweet and won't leave you feeling too full and unable to get on with your day.

To overcome your sadness, just perk up your senses and you should see your depression disappear within days! All you need to do is remind your entire body, mind, and soul, that you're a beautiful person worth all the wonderful things the world has to offer!