The Formula for Balance
Folks who know me now, may not guess that I once experienced deep bouts of depression;
days so dark that I could not get out of bed. Anyone who has suffered from depression knows that not
getting out of bed is just a small part of the situation, that really it’s more like this dark hole that our mind
fall into where it feels impossible to climb out of. Whereas, there have only been a few periods like this in my long life,
my extreme nature casts a much darker cloud, more like a black out, it was scary. There were times when I thought
I may not return to “normal “.
A dear friend recently expressed to me that he had struggled with depression. So, this is me, chiming in on the topic.
First, let’s establish this truth: Some people experience emotions more intensely than others.
These people truly possess a superpower, and bring some profoundly important contributions to
our world.
In a report from WOMEN’S HEALTH MAGAZINE, I found a guide for what I am talking about:
” Are you highly sensitive? If a few of the following statements resonate with you, you might be. “
– you were shy or sensitive a s a child or considered so by other people
-you get tired, stressed, and overwhelmed more easily than those around you
-you tend to really mull situation through
-you have a profound appreciation for nature , art and beauty
-you pick up on details around you, ( including other people’s moods ) that most overlook
-you find it easy to empathize with others
-you have a profound appreciation for art, nature, beauty”
If this rings true for you, you may be a Highly Sensitive Person ( HSP ).
When I sit back and look at the big genetic picture, I see a valuable tribe member, one who brings much to the clan.
Michael Pluses, PhD backs up my theory. He says, ” In scientific terms, sensitivity is the ablate to perceive and process information about the environment, whether internal or external. It’s rooted in our biology- beyond humans this has
been observed in hundreds of animal species. Those who are highly sensitive are experiencing something like a
“Spidey sense “, that makes them feel, think and react more intensely than others. “
The telltale qualities of a highly sensitive person, are depth processing ( pondering and reflecting profoundly) , especially on big topics, overstimulation ( a predisposition to become tense, anxious or overwhelmed )
empathy and emotional responsiveness ( being greatly effected by the moods of others, or by nature, art and the surroundings ) and sensitivity to to subtleties (and ability’s to pick up on nuances others miss ).
As I said, this was the genetic marker for a valued clansman.
Yet, here in this chaotic, plastic world, an HSP finds it difficult to navigate.
It become our position to stay ahead of the game. Live a pro-active life.
We must live our 24 by a specific formula, one that allows us to keep breathing.
Maintaining the formula is crucial.
You cannot wait until you feel depressed to apply this formula, the dark hole that threatens to
consume you is difficult to crawl out of. Mine is generally filled with whisky, ghb and meth so I know
I have to stay ahead of my 24.
1) Exercise is key. In one hour of hard workout, there are other key boxes that get checked:
– you are forced to breath
– you can face your inner critic as he she or they start to tell you you can’t do it, you have the space to
prove them wrong
– running and performing a vigorous workout has the abilty to chisel the chatter in your mind and gives you
the head space to sort it all out ( I literally see the noise fall out of my head rounding the track )
-you can have an accountability partner in this space and it’s not weird
– people who work out are happy
– a good workout gives you a feeling of success
Someone who inspires me is Kala MacDonald. She has a non profit called YOGA TO COPE.
When her brother was killed in 2013, she channeled her pain into her workouts. She said everyone
around her was burning off calories while she was burning off emotions.
I can really identify with that.
2) Green herbs and veggies. It’s a fact that eating/ juicing green herbs and veggies literally
– lifts your vibrations
– boosts your mood
3) Meditation and yoga are powerful. Learning to still your mind, count your blessings, recognizing gratitude for every part of your body, life and connections is uplifting. Learning to breath deeper
* meditation and exercise both give you a space to face your inner critic, that voice in your head that tells you are
don’t measure up. Learn to hear that voice and deal with it the way that best suits you.
-acknowledging your inner critic by simply knowing the sound of the saboteur and telling yourself, ” yes, that is all it is”
-talk back to your inner critic with humor
-look at the photo of a loved one
-practice compassion
Kala lost another brother 3 years later and this time, she sought a quieter asana to breath and learned to use meditation to and yoga to manage her grief. It was so powerful and theraputic that she founded YOGA to CoPE and now provides
instruction in movement, mindfulness and nutrition, all for free.
4) Creating and maintaining healthy boundaries is vital! If you recognize yourself to be an HSP, then also know that you
probably have a wide aura. It’s important to create a forcefield around you to keep out the negativity that threatens to
consume someone who is sensitive like us.
5) Write, paint, dance, create
6) teach others to write, paint, dance
” you simply cannot become unhinged in the service of others “
Addiction and depression are cousins. There are so many parallels and quite a few overlaps. and this is
why number 7 is key
7) Have a safety net. There must be at least one person on this earth who you are completely honest with
about your darkness
– share your truth
-have a plan
– don’t allow your ego to keep you from being ahead of the game.
Always remember, we are tribesmen, find beautiful positive people who inspire you and surround yourself by them.
Love
