Defeat Depression Before Breakfast

Each morning I'd watch my type I diabetes-inflicted grad school roommate, Larry, perform his rituals before breakfast. Piercing his finger to take a blood level - measuring his glucose levels - injecting himself with a needle full of insulin.

I thought to myself, "What a pain! I could never do that!"

But, Larry soon taught me that his ritual no longer seemed burdensome. Why? Because he shared,

A day without insulin makes made him feel extremely crappy.
After just a few days without insulin, basically his body will have crystallized glucose in the blood-stream, and over time, they'll set in your extremities, causing black-toes/fingers, basically they'd start rotting away.
A few more days and he could go into a diabetic coma, and likely die.

With that as understanding, rituals are actually really good! And important!

I've come to believe that those of us who've ever struggled with, are struggling with or are prone to depression... also very much need to put our own rituals in place. Don't do them and at first,

We just feel crappy
Over time, we hurt others with anger, let negativity fester and start doing things that aren't good for us (over-eat, over-drink, over-emphasize all that's wrong, doubt ourselves, doubt God, doubt there's hope for change.)
In time, we feel lethargic, anxious and may well need medication to break out of the cycle.

What I've come to learn in the school of Jeff and friends who've also tasted depression is we MUST act on daily rituals to remains healthy, hopeful and fulfill the destinies God has for us. Our "convergence point."

Personally, I find that in any day, I must intentionally defeat depression before breakfast... Especially before beginning my work. THEN my day is positive, good, giving and rewarding.

Here are the rituals that work for me on a good day.

Wake up without an alarm

I've come to see that the jolting alarm (no matter the sound I chose) was incredibly disruptive, disturbing of REM and a reminder that life was hard. Of course some early morning meetings that can't be missed and may make alarm is necessary. However, the key to this:

Have a cup or two of coffee

Call it a "crutch" but from all the research I've learned that it's not all that bad... as long as it's in moderation.

Spiritually - Connect and Contemplate

This involves a regular time to read, pray and turn over my day and it's "stuff" to the God who loves me. I find that the mix of just sitting still, reading spiritual writing and prayer works wonders in overcoming anxiety, fear and an overactive ENFP mind. (Look- it's a bird!)

Mindy recently brought home a rare but incredible topical devotional book called Disciplines oft the Inner Life. Compiled by father and son Bob And Michael Benson, it's filled with really refreshing reflections from classic spiritual writers across many spiritual tribes. Weekly topics include things like Doubt, Distractions, Anxiety, Guidance...

And when I'm too busy to pray, I'm just too busy!

Physically - Break a Sweat

The best sweat broken for me tends to be the outdoor kind... but either way, getting my heart rate up far enough to at least break a sweat does wonders to ward of depression for the rest of the day. I DO notice when I don't!

Intellectually - Read, Watch or Listen

Finally, I realize that my brain, creativity and positivity also works well with the ritual of taking in some kind of learning before breakfast.

Lately, I've discovered the wealth of insight and wisdom through podcasts. Though books are still vital, I also realize can learn on a topic that stretches me. This morning, I learned about the challenge women in the marketplace face as they seek to address the gender gap in corporations, a TED talk by Susan Colantuono called the "Career Advice You Probably Didn't Get."

OK, so then time for breakfast.... (Best not bagels for this guy! Another addiction!)

Have a great day!

PS. Please Do Like or Share with others you know who struggle with this inner disease! We need to help each other Brave handsome man in glory pose Each morning I'd watch my type I diabetes-inflicted grad school roommate, Larry, perform his rituals before breakfast. Piercing his finger to take a blood level - measuring his glucose levels - injecting himself with a needle full of insulin.