Dowsing for Divinity

A lot of people suffer from depression and anxiety, me included. It can act as a blockage to spirituality, too. All too often we don’t talk about it, for various reasons. We want to post content that cheers us and others up. And we don’t want loads of spurious advice about how to cheer up. But sometimes we need to be real.

CN: depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation. But also what I did to overcome them.

Depression

I have depressive tendencies, and have been quite depressed at various times in my life. It gets in the way of doing a regular spiritual practice, especially if I am depressed about the state of the world (wars, genocides, fascism, etc).

I did get prescribed SSRI medication at one point, but decided not to take the medication. I was depressed because of the awful job I had at the time, with software that wasn’t fit for purpose, in a building that should’ve been demolished and had a weird smell that lingered on one’s clothes.

How I have dealt with depression is by getting active on the things I care about. Many people have said that they feel better about climate change when they engage in activism (Greta Thunberg for example). I also try to get plenty of iron in my diet as that’s supposed to help. And I keep my alcohol consumption low. Getting out for walks in nature, and reading children’s books also help me.

Anxiety

I used to get really anxious. My most severe anxiety reaction was when I was under threat of being homeless and jobless and I hid under the duvet for hours. But I’ve had other anxiety attacks since then. I put it down to menopause, as that’s when it started, but the anxiety attacks (and teeth grinding) are gone now that I’ve given up coffee — and if I drink coffee, both symptoms come back.

Many people who are anxious reported that their anxiety symptoms decreased during the pandemic—because now there was something definite for their symptoms to chew on.

Suicidal ideation

I have experienced this in my late teens/early twenties, but the thing that made me stop was thinking about how my family and friends would react if I did it. And wanting to know what would happen in the rest of my life. I am very glad that I stayed around to find out.

In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org.

— The Guardian

Spiritual practices

All of these things, and also despair and grief, can get in the way of self care and spiritual practice.

But conversely, self care, spiritual practice, and creative pursuits can help alleviate the symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Some days, just making the effort to get out for a walk can be a big deal: but it also lifts your spirits.

Another thing I find very nourishing is reading children’s books.

Creative activities like crochet and pottery have also helped me a lot.

Anything to get off the treadmill of anxious and depressed thoughts. None of the things I’ve described sound like much, but they really have helped me.

Please take care of yourself: you are unique and precious and loved.

Please share anything that’s helped you in the comments.