Emotional Tug of War Part 1: Mindfulness for Depression

How do you describe depression? 

How do you cope with depression? 

Depression can be described as low energy, lack of motivation, or negative thought patterns. Depression is uncomfortable. There is an urge to quickly “get out of it” rather than sitting with the sensation and having curiosity around what the emotion is asking for. When we try to force our energy out of depression too quickly- it can feel like we are playing a game of tug of war with emotions. Depression on one end of the rope and anxiety on the other. The more we try to push ourselves out of it, keep busy, or put pressure on depression to go away - the more it can tighten its grip.

Mindfulness teaches us that in order to uplift depressed energy, we need to learn to sit with it until its needs are met. It may sound counterintuitive- but we need to slow down rather than speed up during times of depression. It is only when we unite our mind and body into a low energy state that it can begin to heal.

After we have united our mind and body into a low energy state, without judgment, we can start to uplift. Ask yourself “what’s different?” after a time period of rest rather than “am I better yet?” 

Ways to stay present with depressed energy: 

• Laying down

• Journaling

• Crying

• Hugging a pillow

• Laying in a hammock or on the ground

• Wearing extra comfy clothes

• Taking a bath

• Connecting with your community in comforting and meaningful ways

• Sleep

• Rest 

• Yoga: Child’s pose

• Setting extra boundaries 

• Deep breathing