Spiritual Self-Care for Depression
I’ve lived with depression as long as I can remember. When I was younger it was debilitating. It affected every area of my life. There were many times I didn’t feel I could go on. Dealing with depression is no longer the struggle it once was though.
Since beginning my spiritual journey I have learned a lot about self-care and have been able to use what I have learned to manage my depression quite well. It no longer controls me and I do not allow it to have a negative impact on my life. At the first sign of a depressive episode, I take action to care for myself and stop it from spiraling out of control.
First, I take my medication. I am no longer on daily meds, but in times like these I take anti-anxiety medication and a sleep aid. I believe in the mind and body’s natural ability to heal, but I also believe that medication has its place and is nothing to be ashamed of. It calms me enough to think more rationally and get myself grounded and to sleep better.
I meditate. I sit with the feelings and observe them. I give myself permission to just be with them. If we struggle against the emotions and try to fight them, we get that feeling of drowning. So, I just flow with it and let myself feel whatever it is I feel in the moment. I remind myself that like all things, this is temporary. It comes and goes like waves. Soon it will pull out again, and again I will shine bright with self-love and optimism. I remind myself it will pass, and it eases a bit.
I use affirmations. I become aware of the negative thoughts in my mind and I respond to them with positive affirmations. “I am enough.” “I am loveable.” “I deserve the love of others.” I say them even if I can’t feel their truth at that moment, because I still know in my heart, they are true. The pain gets even more manageable.
I am honest. I am honest with myself and the people around me about what I am going through. I talk about it. I take extra time for self-care. I reach out to people for support. I am part of the whole. I never have to go through anything alone. At any time, I can find someone to talk to. Whether it be a friend or family member, or someone I’ve met online, I can always find someone. I am not alone, and this lessens the load of depression.
I practice self-Reiki. Not only on myself in the here and now, but on the little girl who formed the beliefs that triggered the depression. I send it to myself at every stage throughout my past in which these beliefs were reinforced in some way. I take time to love and care for myself through all the times of my life. I have the skills to do this and it brings me true healing.
I use my crystals. I keep the one that calls to me close throughout the day. I take the time to look at my collections and admire their beauty and remind myself that they are of ancient strength and I come from the same source. I place them on my body, and I let their vibrations effect mine likes ripples in the water when you throw in a pebble. I let their vibrations manipulate and align mine to their healing energy and I feel supported.
I work hard. I do my work diligently, as the Reiki Principles tell me to. I don’t give in to any temptation to take the day off and lie in bed all day wallowing in my emotions. I go to work running my business and helping others if I feel I can. When I channel Reiki to my clients, I feel it running through me and it brings us both healing. I give myself something positive to focus on and to be proud of (for I don’t think pride is a sinful thing when we keep it in check). It gives me purpose and hope. When I don’t feel I can work for others, I work on myself and my own healing.
I suffer through clinical depression. I also care for myself through depression. I love myself through depression. I let others love me through depression. I heal through depression. I work through depression. I can’t say that I like going through depression, but I am grateful for the motivation in gives me to use my tools. I am grateful for the tools I have to use. I am grateful for my ability to use them. I am grateful to Spirit for gifting them to me. I am grateful.