Light reads: '21 Ways to a Happier Depression'

DEPRESSION – for those who suffer from it – can be an all-encompassing cloud that comes out of nowhere, entrapping its victims for moments or days or even longer. 

You might be able to beat it back and come out on the other side, but the threat remains – the cloud is always on the horizon.

There are many forms of treatment, be it therapy or medication, but these treatments can be costly and are not always effective, depending on the person. 

In ‘21 Ways to a Happier Depression: A Creative Guide to Getting Unstuck from Anxiety, Setbacks, and Stress’, Seth Swirsky offers (you guessed it) 21 task-oriented methods to fight off depression just a little bit at a time. The lesson is that you can never truly beat depression but you can learn to cope with it better. 

As Swirsky writes, “While they cannot cure depression, these tasks can help make the worst feelings a little less bad – and a little less bad when it comes to depression, can be significant.”

Many of Swirsky’s recommendations revolve around the idea of breaking up one’s routine. If we find ourselves in a loop, it can initially be comforting, but it can eventually lead to a rut. Depression can be self-reinforcing, locking us into place both physically and emotionally.

For example, starting a new hobby, saying yes to new things instead of no, and exploring new spaces like museums, are just some of the examples of things to do. 

“Doing something new and different can create new patterns of thinking and get me out of a rut,” Swirsky writes on museum-going. It’s also about experiencing something unique which can help open up the mind.

Raising a plant is also an interesting option because it allows the person to focus their attention on something outside themselves. Maybe a pet is too much of a responsibility, but a plant is something that can be managed over time. You don’t need to worry about an aloe running away.

Depression, while bad, can be comfortable if we get used to it too much. After all, it can become part of a routine. Trying new things is about stepping out of the norm, and maybe discovering something new to derive a sense of accomplishment from.

After all, finding a sense of accomplishment in an activity, whether recreational or professional, can be important in developing a sense of self worth. 

In that regard a lot of the recommendations involve looking to the past, and taking into account of what you’ve done in your life. Because despite the negative thoughts in our heads, there are just as many positive things we’ve done.

One of the pointers is a ‘box of joy’, a container that serves as a repository of what you’ve achieved. It’s to be used to remind oneself about one’s positive impact on the world. “Remind yourself that you’ve been valued and appreciated,” Swirsky says.

Even something as simple as putting away clutter and filing away accumulated paperwork can provide a sense of accomplishment while taking stock of the past.

But while resolving one’s history can put the past in a positive light, depression can still stifle forward progress. 

“Depression keeps us stuck in our misery, and looking forward to a treat moves us into a feeling of anticipation,” Swirsky speaks on looking ahead. 

Instead of being stuck in the present, having something just beyond the now that is worth getting excited about, no matter how big or small it ultimately is. From watching new shows and movies to learning new skills and languages, finding a reason to move forward can give meaning  to the day.

Most if not all of the tips given in this book are quite simple or are downright obvious, however seeing them put to paper in a straightforward fashion makes them easy to grasp and actually get done.

This, perhaps not coincidentally, mirrors one of the suggestions: ‘Lists are for the listless.’ 

“Well, all those chores that float around in your head feel heavy. When you put them on paper, they become lighter, doable. And you can cross them off.” 

This is in many ways the essence of this book: taking stock of what’s holding you back in life, addressing them and moving forward unburdened, facing the present and future with a refreshed mindset.

None of the recommendations in this book - when taken in isolation - can banish depression from your life, but they can help keep it at bay. 

Instead of being overwhelmed by this nefarious cloud and be paralysed in more ways than one, you can break it down and manage it. Ultimately, that’s really the best anyone can do. - The Vibes, April 1, 2021

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Promotion:

1. 15% off book title:  '21 Ways to a Happier Depression: A Creative Guide to Getting Unstuck from Anxiety, Setbacks, and Stress' (ISBN-10: 1492648132)
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