The tools that helped me heal from my depression naturally

I don’t know if many of you know this about me, but I have battled depression at different times over my life, starting in adolescence when I would self harm with razor blades and lighters, and at the age of 15, attempted to take my own life by drinking alcohol and swallowing a bottle of sleeping pills.

God had a plan for my life though, and despite my attempt to end it, he has managed to protect me and get me this far (46 years!), thank you Jesus.

Depression hit hard again in my 30’s, with three small children and a failing marriage. I once again turned to self harm, but not in the same way as my teenage years. 

Through years of therapy, lots of prayer, self help books and podcasts, journaling (LOTS of journaling), and many other tips and tools that I’m going to list below, I have found a way to thrive and enjoy life without depression and without antidepressant pharmaceuticals. 

I’m not against the use of antidepressants - I think they can be a great tool to help get people out of a negative cycle, but I want to believe that I can make my body whole and healthy by natural means and not need to rely on the pharmaceutical industry.

Here’s what’s worked for me, in no particular order. Take what might be helpful and leave the rest. If there’s one thing I found for sure in this lifelong battle with depression, it’s that you can’t fix it with just one thing. It’s going to take work, mindset shifts, new tools, nutrition, all kinds of things, to help get you to a place where you can thrive and enjoy your life without the cloud of depression looming.

I know firsthand what that’s like and it’s miserable. If even one small thing I share here helps someone else in their own personal struggle, then my vulnerability will have been worth it.

Shay’s Toolbox for Mental Health

1. Therapy/Counseling
2. Journaling
3. Faith/Prayer
4. Eating whole nutritious foods
5. Exercising/being active/yoga/walking
6. Taking vitamin and mineral supplements 
7. Reducing or avoiding alcohol 
8. Eliminating caffeine from morning routine 
9. Diffusing essential oils
10. Using natural cleaning products instead of toxic chemicals.
11. Trying to buy organic and avoid pesticides 
12. Getting regular massages and chiropractor adjustments.
13. Reading/learning/listening to
Podcasts
14. Spending time in nature.
15. Spending time alone.
16. Cold plunges, or ending shower with cold water 
17. CBD
18. Getting enough sleep
19. Having rewarding work to do/people to help
20. Sharing my experiences and my testimony

If any of these tools speak to you, try one. Just one. Healing starts small, and it could start now. Share this with someone that needs help or encouragement today. There is hope!

Healing is a journey best traveled with others. I’d love to hear what’s helped you too - let’s build a toolbox together. Comment or message me with what’s worked in your story.

  • “This is my personal story, not medical advice. Everyone’s journey is different.”


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Inheriting More Than Land: The Unexpected Responsibility of a Caretaker’s Final Days

I wonder how many are dying alone, without the support of friends or loved ones ? Sometimes you know things are happening but until they impact your life personally, it’s easier to ignore and not think about. That is the situation that my sister and I find ourselves in with the caretaker of my dad’s property in North Idaho. Let me go back and fill you in, in case you aren’t familiar with the situation. Almost exactly 2 years ago my dad passed away abruptly from esophageal cancer, and we inherited his 25 acres in rural North Idaho. There had been a caretaker on his property for many many years who had actually just recently left when my dad got sick, but sadly the property he had moved onto was also owned by someone with recently diagnosed terminal cancer so he agreed to come back to my dad’s property and continue with the caretaking after my dad passed. It was truly a blessing and allowed my sister and I to continue operating his Airbnb, and even turn his primary residence into another...
Read more

"Jenicisims" Age 4 1/2

A couple funny things that Jenica has said over the last couple days that I want to remember, and since I have failed miserably at the "baby book" concept, the internet is where they are being posted (Jenica, I apologize in advance for the embarrasment this may cause you in the future!) Yesterday I had to ask her a couple of times to put her socks on so we could get ready to leave. The second time she looked at me and said, "Sorry Mom, I didn't hear you, your talking must have made my ears dumb!" I literally laughed out loud! This morning her and Tenley were playing together in the other room and Jenica yells, "Mommy, Tenley is crapping me up!" She did quickly correct herself to "cracking me up" so that was good, but in the mean time, it still gave me a good chuckle under my breath! That's all for now!
Read more

Chronic pain

Image
Usually defined as pain lasting longer than 3 months, I unfortunately know from experience how debilitating and downright depressing chronic pain can be. Over the last decade, I’ve made many changes in my lifestyle, my healthcare routines, and my diet to try to eliminate as much pain and inflammation from my body as possible. But I still get flare ups.  Most recently, I’ve seemed to have developed a pinched nerve in my neck. My neck and back have been a source of discomfort for as long as I can remember. I took a big fall off the top of a large slide when I was 2 years old and started getting chiropractic care for headaches in elementary school. For the last 5 years, I have been getting chiropractic care every 2-3 weeks, and for the last few years I’ve also been trying to do masssge/cupping once a month. I take curcumin, a turmeric derivative that is supposed to be good for reducing inflammation. I try to go for a walk and do some kind of yoga or stretching on most days.  Whil...
Read more