The days are getting shorter, the temperatures lower. For many, this means negotiating another bout, of Seasonal Affective Disorder; a form of depression brought on by a dearth of light. Since I’m one of those affected, I meditated and came up with proactive prescription for myself. I very much hope it will be helpful to others in the same boat. Many of these suggestions are applicable to the other types of depression, as well.
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As much as possible, try to maintain a fairly brightly-lit home and work environment.
Be kind to yourself and to other selves.
Forgive yourself for your past failures.
Cultivate gratitude.
Connect to people, animals, the arts, and nature.
Meditate on the impermanent nature of your suffering.
Pursue a spiritual practice that is deeply meaningful to you.
Direct the bulk of your attention to what is nourishing, uplifting and enlightening.
Filter out much of what is toxic, depressing and negatively provocative.
Allow soul to replace ego on the main stage of your life.
Get plenty of exercise, and deeply restful sleep.
Drink more water.
Step outside yourself occasionally and observe your own body-mind from a detached point of view.
Create.
Resist the ego’s totalitarian agenda.
Learn the things that bring you happiness, and do them as often as possible.
Choose a form of exercise you enjoy and do it regularly.
Breathe in awareness throughout the day.
