Almost everyone finds themselves dealing with anxiety and depression at some point or maybe many points in their lives. We do many things here at Montana Bowl of Cherries to combat both anxiety and depression. One of the “tools” that was just given to us is our giveaway item.
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Severe Anxiety and Depression
It would seem that anxiety and depression would be opposites. How can someone have both at the same time. But according to an article from the Mayo Clinic, it is quite common to experience both at the same time. The severity of both can change as we go through life. We always make sure we are honest with our doctors about how we are dealing with life. It is our opinion that mental health is as important as physical health and can be just as life threatening.
Lifestyle Changes That Make a Difference
Even when medication is necessary, it won’t make things all better. Just like someone with heart problems must make lifestyle changes to help the medication do its job, someone with anxiety and depression needs to do the same. In the blog post How to Beat the Winter Blues we discussed some things we do to fight off Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. Many times anxiety and depression aren’t seasonal though. Here is a quick list we use all the time.
- What is highest priority? We keep a loose structure. There is always a lot to be done everyday, but if it is a bad day then it just is.
- Have a schedule-some things need to happen everyday. Do those no matter how you feel.
- Have a support system!
- Learn relaxation and motivation techniques.
What is Highest Priority Today?
Some days are just bad days. We make lists all the time to try to help us remember all the millions of very important commitments we need to keep. While it may sound backward, we also try to keep a loose structure. There are days when that long list just isn’t going to happen. “What has to happen today? What can wait until later this week?”
Have a Schedule
Most successful addiction recovery programs encourage participants to find their higher power and seek strength from there. We find the same advice helpful in dealing with anxiety and depression. For us, our higher power is God, our Father in Heaven and our Savior, Jesus Christ. As I place my faith in their love and their plan, I find it easier to deal with times of stress.
Part of exercising that faith is scripture study and prayer. Those are 2 of the things that happen everyday in my life no matter what else doesn’t happen. Why? Because since I have started those habits I am happier and I can deal with whatever comes at me with more grace and less tears.
There are other things that MUST happen every day. Folks, including you, have to be fed and cared for. Keep a regular food schedule. Keeping that schedule helps with the overeating and the starving that seem to go with both of these mental conditions.
Exercise helps me too. It clears the mind and motivates the body. Also, if it happens to be a really bad day, I can always say “at least I spent 6 minutes on the elliptical”.
Have a Support System
Donnie seems to know when his affection is needed. He’s also very good at listening without telling a soul what is said to him.
Who around you has your back? Do you have family or friends who know how difficult some days are for you? We have humans who lend support when anxiety or depression attack but at Montana Bowl of Cherries we also have support animals. Dogs are fantastic listeners! Fish keep confidences especially well!
Take a look around. Who needs you? Listen to the words of that old Bill Withers song again
“Lean on me, when you’re not strong
And I’ll be your friend
I’ll help you carry on
For it won’t be long
‘Til I’m gonna need
Somebody to lean on”
Learn Relaxation and Motivation Techniques to Lessen Anxiety and Depression
Yoga and Pilates are both tools that have also helped us in our struggle to find relaxation and motivation. We have attended classes as well as searched out YouTube videos. The advantage of classes goes back to a support system. The advantage of videos is that no one is watching you make mistakes.
Meditation is one of those techniques that I have always struggled with. I know it is useful for both anxiety and depression. In one form or another, it is something we have tried to teach our children since they were toddlers. For all of us, it has been a very hard concept to catch onto.
Finally! The Giveaway
Recently, we were given a copy of a children’s book The Dolphin’s Secret: A Meditational Journey for Children by Meryl Best Lowell. Eureka! It has simplified the process for all of us.
While this story book has been written for 4-8-year-old children, as adults, we found it helpful to our own meditation. Our daughter tried it out on her 3-year-old and found that the story helped. It reinforced concepts they had been working on and gave them a trigger vocabulary for times of stress.
We would love for you to have your own copy of this book. Please leave a comment on this post to have your name entered in the drawing. Leaving a comment also puts you on our email list to receive notifications about our latest posts and happenings here at Montana Bowl of Cherries. You can opt out of the emails at any time. Drawing will be held June 10th. If you aren’t feeling lucky, please, feel free to follow the Amazon link above to purchase your own copy of this fun and helpful little book. We will earn a commission from your purchase at no extra cost to you. No one will tell if you buy it just for yourself!
2 Comments
Meryl B. Lowell · May 31, 2019 at 6:30 pm
Thank you for the kind review, Rhonda. I am so glad your family is finding my book to be helpful.
Rhonda · June 1, 2019 at 7:58 am
Thank you for commenting on our post, Meryl. I’m hoping that our readers love The Dolphin’s Secret as much as we do. What a fun way to help folks of all ages learn about meditation.