Hey, so for the past two years I've been feeling pretty down. I've been considering meditation, how effective do you think this would be in alleviating depressive symptoms? I know there's no such thing as a magic cure, but combined with other thing (makin plans for future, starting sports, etc) I'm fairly confident its possible. And more importantly, I've been thinking about consiousness and subconsiousness. I mostly think in words and I've been thinking this is fairly limiting because theyre just arbirtary representations of the world around us. Do you think with meditation there are ways to tap into a deeper way of thinking without using words to label everything?
The best natural remedy for depression is physical activity. It helps your body create the chemicals you need to stabilize mood, etc. Sunlight is also important. Then, you could follow up with a period of meditation afterward. Meditation is a much more pleasant experience for those that are physically fit over those who aren't. Meditation teaches you to slow down. To stop and smell the roses of life. To ask questions that never occur to hurried people. Long road, but a worthy destination. x
i'm a big fan of meditation, but it must be used sparingly when depressed. It is well documented in books that you shouldn't be meditating when physically or mentally ill. It could work wonders, it could make things worse. When I was depressed I started to meditate and it worked instantaneously and I was upbeat for months, then it trickled down again, and so on and so forth. If you have these feelings of depression maybe u should come to terms with them. My roomate who was a psychology major told me that depression never really goes away, just as happiness never truly goes away. I thought it was harsh but one of the more real things i've heard in my life. Perhaps the best escape route out of a depressive mood or mindset is to temporarily loose the mind in meditation where you can rejuvinate your soul. I've done meditation while depressed and sometimes it can make it worse, but it was only when I questioned if it would make it worse that it did. Do what feels right. Meditate by exercising as others have suggested or try doing nothing, one of the two or something in the middle will plant a seed in you.
You hit the nail on the head. I always meditate after running. The mind is so clear after vigorous exercise. Very nice post.
the mind is also doused in opinoids after running and vigorous exercise, so i wouldn't necc. consider it clean, my body is usually clean after exercise as it increases circulation, mind i guess but some people take exercise like some take food, for the effect, running its like a drug people, probably the best drug, I run every day. But dunno, I consider their to be one time when not to meditate and that is when your intoxicated. But aren't u intoxicated after running? I'm pretty sure theirs good research on it, gutta find it. Careful not to overly tire yourself before meditating too. good thread!
