Meditate avoids touching up the background

Feeling depressed , blues , fatigue and lack of motivation are increasingly commonplace. Nowadays, it is usual to go through those periods when the mood is low and the latent sadness. With the stress of everyday life, the doubts about the future, and the lack of exchange and sharing, we say that it is normal to have these moments of discomfort. It is thought that they will eventually pass. But in most cases, the feeling of depression becomes cyclical . He comes and goes. He falls on us without warning, and nibbles, every time, a little more confidence in himself. In the worst case, the depression settles down and turns into depression.

What can be done to avoid these cycles of malaise and no longer suffer this emotional fragility?

Developing mindfulness prevents relapse into depression

The answer in one sentence: Develop mindfulness. Focusing our attention on the present moment a few minutes a day avoids falling back into a cycle of depression. Meditating effectively prevents relapses . It is worth noting here that meditation is not used as a means of treating severe depression. On the other hand, what scientific research teaches us is that the practice of meditation helps to significantly reduce relapse into depression and depression. This is a considerable benefit, as one of the main problems with depression is the tendency to relapse, which remains high despite drug treatments. Meditation then offers a natural and healthy way to get out of cycles of malaiseand to regain self-confidence and life. I will share with you, later in this article, how to adapt meditation when you are subject to cycles of depression and depression, but before that, I would like to invite you to look at Madeleine’s testimony . After 10 years of depressionand suicide attempt , she began to meditate and her life was transformed.

With the help of guided meditation , Madeleine has gradually regained confidence in life and joie de vivre . And, she is not the only one who uses meditation to manage cycles of depression. Thanks to researchers such as John Tesdale, Mark Williams, and Zindel Segan, authors of The Mindful Way Through Depression , ed. The Guilford Press (which may be translated as “mindfulness to overcome depression”), more and more depressive patients are introduced to the practice of mindfulness meditation. If the benefits are considerable, a person prone to depression must consider these 3 points to be able to meditate in the best conditions.

3 Tips for meditating when you are prone to depression

1. What is the biggest obstacle to mindfulness meditation when one is depressed?

The practice of mindfulness is not difficult in itself. One can be consciously aware of what is happening in the present, and that at any time of the day. The difficulty for all of us, and this includes depressed people, is to remember to be aware . Our minds are so absorbed by everyday thoughts that we forget that it is possible to be aware of the present moment.

If one is depressed, the thoughts maintain a feeling of suffering . They become so entrenched that they give the impression that one is stuck in that state, and it becomes difficult to release attention to bring it back to the present moment.

That’s why you have to give yourself the time to practice mindfulness exercises. Even if in the beginning the practice will seem difficult and inefficient, it will allow to free oneself , little by little, from the thoughts that nourish the malaise . The person will then gradually be able to settle in the consciousness of the present moment . Instead of having her attention grabbed all the time by negative thoughts, she will be able to enjoy, a few moments a day, to be fully present. This greater awareness of the present moment allows one to rise above the fog of depression.  

2. Is there an exercise of mindfulness that is particularly appropriate for depressed people?

There are many methods to enhance mindfulness. Each person, according to his sensitivity, will benefit at one time from one method more than another.

In general, for a depressed person, it will be easier to focus attention on body sensations rather than more subtle feelings (such as following the breath and awareness of thoughts and emotions).

Exercises that include physical movements (yoga, conscious walking) will be easier when you are depressed. The sensations that come from the body are strong enough to capture attention . In addition, these sensations also have the advantage of being neutral contrary to the observation of thoughts and emotions that they can generate more emotions.

3. Can meditation be practiced when one suffers from severe meditation?

Initially, mindfulness meditation was used with people who had suffered serious depression. However, learning is usually done when the person feels relatively better . And that precisely, to avoid a relapse.

If today some studies begin to show that meditation can also help a person in severe crisis. It is important to stay kind to yourself and not force yourself if you do not have the strength. If today you feel too bad, trying to meditate may disappoint you. In this case, it is wiser to wait for a moment of respite to begin this practice. Depression, even severe, remains cyclical. And this is very encouraging, because as soon as it goes a little better, you can then start this practice that has the potential to free you from the evil of the century.