5 Ways To Overcome Fear, Anxiety, and Depression
This is one of the hardest, but most common battles people are facing today!
I have been there, and honestly it takes you being intentional daily…even after you feel you have won the major battle. I finally learned different tools that actually worked as long as I was intentional about implementing them! It was more simple than I thought, because my emotions were not simple at all…I thought I had to do way more (which honestly added stress trying to fix it at times).
In this blog post, I am sharing the ways I learned to manage all of these things, and how to have TRUE health in all areas of my life. I will be covering:
How I personally dealt with these things and beat it
How finding joy in the little things are key
How to change your thought patterns
How to find yourself to experience true freedom
How breathing can help to relieve symptoms
How feeding your body properly affects your mind
So if you are tired of struggling with these things, stick with me because I have easy ways to help you!! Sometimes our greatest problem is overcomplicating everything, so let me show you the simple route! And I want you to know you are beautiful in every single way just as you are!!
How I Personally Dealt With These Things and Beat it
I have dealt with depression since I was young. I can remember a time when I was in high school, and I literally cried every single night for a year straight. My mom ended up putting me on depression medicine, which only numbed me..so I finally threw it out. I was just a depressed kid, and I realized once I hit my mid 20’s when I got saved..it was because I did not have any type of Faith to fall back on.
Once I got saved I immediately dove all in, and did all the things I thought I should. I tried to be “the perfect Christian”, and really lost who I was along the way because I wasn’t being true to myself…I was people pleasing. Years into me being saved I was still having suicidal thoughts…and I mean thoughts of things I would never actually do (I pictured myself hanging in my living room at a time in my life). Fast forward through years of ups and downs, and pleasing everyone else.
A few months ago after being deep into the Ministry I knew I had to step away from those duties, and I started crying out to God. I have gained such a strong friendship with Him and a love for myself by only worrying about pleasing Him…I will forever be grateful! Along the way He started to speak to me, and show me ways to combat the fear that had been gripping me. Once I started implementing these simple things, I experienced freedom…like true freedom.
Learn to love yourself again, and be happy with the little things again! You control your destiny, not the bad thoughts that tell you that you aren’t worthy. This not only helps your mental state, but you will have better health in your body just by taking care of your mind. I want to share with you exactly what I have learned, because this was not only meant for me to discover.
How Finding Joy in The Little Things are Key
I came to a point where I was never actually living in the moment anymore, and if I was doing something fun my mind was always somewhere else..worried about something. God started to show me that even when I would eat, it felt like another chore that added to the busyness of my day. It felt weird, but He was like when you eat make sure you think about how yummy your food is and how much you enjoy it (this also helps your digestion, because your food won’t digest properly if you are stressed while eating).
I would go outside just to clear my mind a lot, being in nature is so healing. Most of the time I would still be walking around aimlessly just trying to find my peace, but God was like stop walking and look up at the colors of the trees. I would make my mind focus on how beautiful all of the Fall colors were, and smile when I would see a squirrel running. I found moments in my day to do little things that brought me joy, like putting on music or making myself excited again about little holiday traditions. I know this sounds so simple, but sometimes you have to force yourself…you will eventually see the results!
I made it a point to treat myself, but those little treats did not always give health to my mind and body…I was craving so many sweets which wasn’t normal for me (stress hits you differently at different times). It was amazing that at this time something amazing just fell in my lap…I had never even heard of this until now. But I found a Cacao Superfood that nourished my body and was chocolatey heaven. This was actually something I needed at the time, because it brought that little joy in and also curbed my sweet cravings!
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How To Change Your Thought Patterns
This one takes time and practice, so don’t get discouraged if you feel you are doing this a million times a day!
Sit down and take inventory of the thoughts you ruminate on…set a timer for 2 minutes just sitting alone in the quiet and then write down what your thoughts were. If you catch yourself being worried or fearful about anything, quickly change your thoughts to “wow this is a great day” or something to that effect (sounds cheesy, but y’all it works). I had to constantly say out loud every time I felt worried “I trust you Jesus”, even if I didn’t feel that way I said it. It didn’t feel like it worked at first, because y’all I did it a lot throughout my day…but it was working even when I didn’t see it! Faith is important!
Figure out a setting in your mind that makes you feel complete peace, like sitting by the water, listening to the birds, etc. When you feel yourself ruminating on bad thoughts, make yourself go to that place! I had a problem with eating certain foods at one point (even healthy ones), so I literally had to tell myself while eating that my body loved this food and that I was healthy. When I did this, my body completely received everything I gave it because I was thinking good thoughts about it. If I thought bad thoughts I would have bloating…your mind is a powerful thing!
How To Find Yourself To Experience True Freedom
This is important! Have you ever felt at any moment in your life, like I don’t know who I am or what I like?! I was there, and I couldn’t even tell you what I loved to do. You have to come to a point where you are content being alone in your thoughts, but to achieve that you must fully accept who you are.
Sit down with a journal, and if you are a believer ask God to reveal who you are and what you like. Really sit (which is the hardest part), and allow yourself just to think. Write down things that bring you joy when you think about doing them…even the little things…they will prove to be the most important. After you have done this, start implementing these things little by little. Also, be nice to yourself! Look at yourself with compassion, and the benefits will be amazing. I received a self-confidence that I had never had before.
Here are a couple books that really helped me through this period in my life:
Unraveled by Deanna Lorena
Balance by Toure Roberts
How Breathing Can Help to Relieve Symptoms
This was actually the very first tool God gave me. I had to stop all throughout my day, and just take a deep breath. I would notice throughout my day I would have very shallow quick breathing, because I was subconsciously stressing about something. Breathe in slowly through your nose, and breathe out slowly through your mouth…do this until you feel the tension in your body release. I hold tension in my back, so I would do it until my back relaxed.
Breathing at night before bed is SO important! Breathe in for 5 seconds, hold it for 5 seconds, and then breathe out for 5 seconds. This allows you to literally breathe out your day, and be able to go to bed without the ruminating thoughts keeping you from your healing rest. Do this breathing exercise multiple times after you lay down.
How Feeding Your Body Properly Affects Your Mind
The mind/body connection is so real and strong, and you must have both to have full health and vitality. You must feed your body with nutrients as you heal, because certain comfort foods will only cloud your mind more. Be aware of not overindulging on your foods as well, because this will make you lethargic and being tired makes you feel more depressed.
I have found that a mostly Vegan diet is best for me to function at my highest vitality, but really find what works for you (as long as you are feeding your body the nutrition it needs).
I want to share this Cacao Superfood once again in case you missed it earlier in my post, because this is a total game changer!! It is so yummy, and it gives you a sense of peace knowing all of the health benefits you are providing yourself! Be kind to yourself in every way!! Click Here To Learn More!