Depression is a clinical dis-ease (dis-ease being the opposite of ease) that is described as a state of unhappiness and hopelessness. As the temperature drops and the holiday season quickly approaches many people find they experience states of depression. The question arises, what causes it? Is it a lack of sun or exercise, poor diet, excessive partying, or chemical drug use? I assert one or more of the above, however there are things you can do everyday that ensure your depressed states of being are short lived.

The most important thing to know and accept about depression is that everyone experiences it. Some of us more than others but nevertheless, everyone including myself gets depressed once and a while. There are as many reasons for what causes depression, as there are people. We all have different ways of being or living that can trigger an onset of depression.

In my experience it is much easier to prevent getting depressed than it is to deal with it once it has become my reality. During the recent yoga show I personally consulted a few yogis regarding their thoughts on the easiest way to prevent depression and regain balance once it hits. Their answer was the same, breathe.

Every week there are books being published and articles being written that teach people ways to stay healthy and balanced through the practice of deep breathing. In my belief system the center of everything generates, and subsequently returns to one source or energy that is alive and surrounds each of us. At any moment in time we can connect to it and find the answers to the questions we have. Any good self help or health book published or article written will tell you what the yogis have known for thousands of years, breathing is the easiest way to calm the mind enough so that it can relax and allow you to regain your balance.

I’m not talking about the unconscious breathing you are doing right know as you read these words. I’m talking about conscious breathing. Using the breath to heal mental and physical dis-ease. Depression, anxiety, fear, panic attacks, addictions and sickness can all be healed using your breath.

Imagine for a moment the next time you begin to experience the beginning symptoms of depression or any dis-ease for that matter and instead of reaching for a drink, cigarette, joint, pill bottle or something to eat you find a quiet place where you will not be disturbed, lye down, turn off the telephone(s) and breathe.

What will happen?

Good question.

At first you may become physically uncomfortable as your mind and body begin to unravel the thousands of thoughts you have everyday and realize that you are giving it the opportunity to heal and release whatever feelings, emotions or toxins need to be in order for you to feel better. Remember depression is a state of unhappiness or hopelessness. You may be unhappy with your work, your intimate relationship, a friend, parents, co-worker or feeling hopelessness in your overall life. Allowing yourself the opportunity to experience and go through whatever feelings and emotions are present is the most effective way to feel better.

As you become still and focus your attention on your breath all sorts of negative emotions and feelings will begin to surface. As I said before you may experience uncomfortable sensations within your physical body. Aches and pains in your joints are usually the most common. I tell you from personal experience that if you stay focused on your breath and notice what you feel without becoming attached to it, your aches and pains will disappear. This will eventually result in a renewed feeling inspiration and positive optimism.

You can try this in the privacy of your own home to maintain your comfort levels, and below is my recommendation for those that wish to explore natural alternatives to inevitable stress. One of the easiest and most effective forms of conscious breathing that I know of to become balanced is known as LONG DEEP BREATHING, and is taught by Yogi Bhajan Ph.D.

In order to do these correctly, begin by clearly distinguishing three parts of a full breath: lower (abdominal), middle, and upper (chest). Find a comfortable and clean area where you can sit straight or lye flat on your back. If the spine is in a balanced position, the ribs and muscles are able to move freely. Begin inhaling with an abdominal breath. Then expand the chest and finish by lifting the upper ribs. All three parts are done in a smooth motion. As you exhale start by relaxing the ribs and then slowly emptying the chest. Finally pull in the abdomen to force out any remaining air. Continue in a rhythmic way inhaling a four count, holding an eight count and exhaling a four count. Each part of the breath expansion is distinct. When all three are combined you have a full or complete long deep breath.

How To Do It

Inhale | A complete breath starts by filling the abdomen, then expanding the chest and finally lifting the upper ribs. (4 Count)

Hold breath (8 Count)

Exhale | Deflate your upper chest, then the middle and finally the abdomen pulls in as the navel point pulls back towards the spine. (4 Count)

Repeat Until State of Calm is achieved

Benefits Of Long Deep Breathing

Relaxing, calming, regulates emotions, reduces insecurity and fear, aids in emotional and physical healing, makes you more positive and optimistic

Stimulates the production of endorphins in your brain, which eliminates the tendency of depression. Pumps spinal fluid to your brain, giving you increased energy and vitality
Increases energy, vitality, mental clarity & patience

Reduces and prevents build-up of toxins in your lungs. Filling your lungs to capacity feeds your electro-magnetic field. Strengthening your magnetic field makes you less liable to fall victim to accidents, sickness and negativity
Cleans your blood. Reduces and prevents toxic buildup caused by not clearing the mucous lining of the small air sacs (alveoli) of your lungs

Aids in releasing blockages in meridian energy flow.

Activates and cleans nerve channels

Aids in breaking subconscious undesirable habit patterns and addictions

“Knowledge Only Becomes Wisdom Through Personal Experience”

Kita Forever

It’s worth repeating, every time you go to the bathroom splash cold water on your eyes to keep them bright and young.

“Knowledge Only Becomes Wisdom Through Personal Experience”

Kita Forever

70% of your body is water. Water supports all your nutritive processes, from digestion to absorption and utilization or excretion. Water holds nutrients and transports all food necessary for life to the various parts of your body. Water holds wastes and toxins that it picks up from the cells and carries them to the organs of elimination (bowels, bladder, lungs, and skin).

Water is an essential constituent of all cells, tissues and body fluids. Without water you would have no saliva. Has your mouth ever been dry? Fact: When your mouth is dry, your body is already dehydrated.

Gastric juices are practically all water, without them; the food you eat would not be able to be properly digested. Water acts as a lubricant in your body that keeps various mucous membranes of your body soft and prevents friction between tissue surfaces, and is also the chief agent that regulates your body’s temperature, like the radiator of a car.

How much water should I drink in a day?

Remember whenever you are thirsty you are already dehydrated. Whoever invented the theory that everyone should drink only 8 cups of water a day, in my opinion is somewhat off base. My recommendation is that all human beings should be drinking at least 8 cups of water a day, although this will vary with the individual. It makes sense that a 280-pound construction worker working outside in Florida heat will have to drink more water than a 100-pound office worker in an air-conditioned environment.

You have to take responsibility for your health and be a scientist. Be aware how thirsty you are when you wake up in the morning. Be aware of when you are thirsty during the day. Be aware of how thirsty you become after eating a holiday meal complete with all the trimmings. Remember if you are thirsty you are already dehydrated which means you need to increase your daily water consumption.

When is the best time to drink water?

Drink at least 4 cups of water first thing when you wake up in the morning. Drink 1-2 cups of water 5-10 minutes before each meal. Why? Water leaves the stomach in approximately 5 minutes which means it will not interfere with digestion.

Why avoid drinking water during or within 2 hours after a meal?

Water dilutes digestive juices and slows down digestion, plus heavy water drinking logs tissues, dilutes fluids, and impairs cellular function. This can lead to heavy sweating, which in turn drains your energy.

What do I do if I am thirsty after a meal?

Eat celery; because of its high water content, it is a great thirst quencher.

Lemon Water: The Miracle Drink

Lemons are excellent as a blood purifier. Upon rising in the morning, drink the juice of one lemon in 1-2 cups of warm water. Lemons help detoxify your body, regenerate your liver and promotes peristalsis: the movement in the bowels that keeps waste moving along the digestive tract and of your body for elimination.

How do I take my lemon water?

I personally buy 8 lemons every time I go grocery shopping. When I get home I juice them (rind and all) in a juicer and store the juice in a water bottle in the fridge. Every morning when I wake up I add 2 tablespoons of fresh (not concentrate) lemon juice to my water and drink it with my multivitamins.

“Knowledge Only Becomes Wisdom Through Personal Experience”

Kita Forever

Sources:

The Juiceman’s Power of Juicing, Jay Kordich

The Fat Flush Plan, Ann Louse Gittleman, M.S., C.N.S.

Fit For Life II, Harvey & Marilyn Diamond

Take a towel and clean your underarms. It doesn’t take much time.

Just wet a cold towel, even a paper towel, and clean your underarms.

Try it and experience the benefits for yourself.

“Knowledge Only Becomes Wisdom Through Personal Experience”

Kita Forever