Overcoming Sadness

Many people today feel sad, unhappy, blue, or down. Some of the most common reasons are age transition, job dissatisfaction or job loss, and divorce. In spite of the challenges that we face today there is some good news. The dark blue funk doesn't have to last. Beside, long-term, that could create very negative chemical imbalance in our bodies. With time though most negative emotions will pass and you will start to feel like your normal self again.

However, when unhappiness persists for a period of weeks or months it is usually an indicator of something considerably more serious. Depression is a real illness that affects as many as 1 in 10 people in the United States and many people all over the world. It is sad that many teenagers are also experiencing. The effect of depression on people's lives is relevant and effects all aspects of their lives including their jobs, relationships and health. If you or anyone you know is going through depression please do not wait and hope that the person will get better all alone. Rather, look for professional assistance immediately, stay close to this person, and be part of his or her support group.

If you or someone you know is sad, or unusually tired, it may be that this person is depressed. Here are some of he most common indicators of depression:
• Irritable mood
• Restlessness
• Change in appetite resulting in weight gain or loss
• Lack or excessive sleep
• Lethargy
• Excessive or inappropriate feelings of guilt, shame, or self-loathing
• Feelings of worthlessness, or hopelessness
• Lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities
• Inability to concentrate or sustain focus
• Lack of interest in social activities
• Thoughts of death and/or suicide

Depression has many causes. Some of the causes are external while others are internal. External or environmental causes include the following

• Stressful life events, including: the breakup of a relationship, divorce, loss of job, failing a class, abuse, death/illness of someone close to you, lack of social circle or social support, family disputes
• Alcohol abuse, drugs.
Internal causes of depression include, but may not be limited to, the following:
• Medical conditions (i.e. an under-active thyroid) and chronic pain or disease (i.e. cancer)
• Medication: anabolic steroids have been shown to contribute to the development of depression.
• Sleeping problems: insomnia can deregulate your mood.

Some forms of depression, those caused by the chemical imbalances for example, are not preventable but can be treated. However, there are certain lifestyle factors that can help to boost your mood and in some cases even alleviate symptoms if you are overcoming depression. A good healthy diet, nutrition and exercise can help minimize the symptoms of depression. Whenever you start a program to change your body it is a good idea to seek the advise of a professional, for example a nutritionist, certified fitness trainer or a clinical hypnotherapist.

In my practice I see a many individuals who are suffering from symptoms of depression. I usually create guided meditations and relaxations for them. Many of these same people come to see me to know what to do to prevent sadness or feelings of worthlessness. For many of them these feelings are recurrent which indicates that probably their biochemistry has a predisposition to develop depression. I always refer them to the right profession and on severe cases I work together with their doctor.

As a relaxation therapist with graduate training in both traditional counseling psychology and clinical hypnosis my focus is to work on mental reprogramming. Most of the feelings of worthlessness start with a thought and sometimes they are anticipatory. For example, a client may wake up and think, "I just know that today will be a crappy day."; or "Oh darn, its Monday and I always get down on Mondays". These kind of thoughts are self-sabotaging beliefs that prevent people from achieving health, no matter how many antidepressants they take. Of course I do not recommend for an instant that anyone ignore the advice of their physician or replace prescribed medications with relaxation techniques.

Relaxation therapy for depression is an advanced visualization technique that has already helped thousands of people to progress towards a more fulfilling life. This healing method helps clients understand the potential resting within. During the relaxation therapy session a new set of mental programming and linguistic patterns that helps the individual to achieve maximum health are created and inserted into the person's subconscious mind. Relaxation therapy is the most gentle and non-invasive way to achieve health.

During relaxation therapy a client visualizes different self-manifestations, images of the client carrying out various versions of his or her life with alternate scenarios. The client comes to realization that he or she can do absolutely anything they set their mind to. The subconscious mind doesn't separate reality from fiction. Thus it is easy to start feeling good immediately through relaxation therapy with the help of a professional hypnotherapist, certified relaxation therapist and counselor.

Relaxation therapy for health utilize subliminal messages. This is commonly known as mental programming. Don't let just anyone walk around inside of your mind. This type of therapy should be performed by certified practitioners in the field of hypnosis and hypnotherapy. Training and expertise is necessary to deliver the best results possible.

Scientists have known for decades that the conscious mind is highly resistant to directions that are not delivered with the mental agreement or consent of the client. Suggestions and inductions for wellness should be discussed with the client before starting the session and should be mutually agreed upon. Not only should the client agree with the proposed suggestions, but the therapist needs to agree that the proposed suggestions are ethical and that they will be beneficial for the client. If this is not done then the client will most likely resist any direction during the session.

With depression the work of the hypnotherapist or relaxation therapist is to find all the positive motivators for the particular client that will help the client shift perceptions and attitudes. This is what gives subliminal and positive affirmations messages their amazing power to transform your life.

Relaxation therapy works with the whole individual; the person's body, mind and spirit. I use the relaxation response method to achieve overall health and to create the best possible future for my clients.