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Feeling stressed? Do the physiological sigh. Big breath in, short breath in, big sigh out.
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Feeling anxious? Go for a walk, when you walk your eyes naturally scan from side to side which deactivates your amygdala, and relaxes the body.
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Are you feeling Sad? Acknowledge your feelings, validate yourself and then move your body to release endorphins.
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If you’re feeling impulsive or angry, look out of the window, but don’t look AT anything, dilate your gaze, or zone out, this blunts noradrenaline, so you can think clearly.
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If you have low motivation, focus intently on one sopt on your screen for one minute and ignore everything else pupillary convergence increases focus.
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If you’re feeling insecure, write down your strengths, as the logic systems override the limbic system.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, here’s some things that help, , journaling, writing down what you’re grateful for, going out in nature, breath work (wim hof), go for a drive or move your body with dance etc. This can help you sooth those emotions and regain balance, so those emotions aren’t filling up the whole screen and you can see around them again, and find ways to help yourself in the moment.
Credit: Anna Akana, Dr Nicole A. Tetreault.
Big Pharma loses billions on antidepressants each year to people who breathe, shift their focus, and go for walks.
Edit: Forgot to add /s
I absolutely object to that train of thought, in my opinion depression needs a tool belt, a very individualised tool belt. You throw everything at it, every tool you can find, until you find the combination that fits you. In Australia our medications are $7 a pack, and it’s illegal for doctors to get kickbacks from companies (had to look that last one up because my dad fell down that hole, ugh). I am so sorry your health system has become so hard to access, in which case, find all the tools available to you and do the best with what you have.