Let's Just Talk

Thankfully this semester ended, all exam papers are checked and the results are going to be announced soon. To tell you the truth, in our society people under-estimate the efforts and work of teachers, whether teaching it in schools, college or at the university level. I have been associated with academics for the last 4 years and I can say that it is far away from what it is referred to as Easy.

At the university level our work is quite straight forward because our pupils are relatively grown up individuals; but when I think about the tasks which school teachers have to accomplish I can only say that they all have my utmost respect and adulation. It is not easy to shape up those very young minds, personalities and at the same time teach them, hence that’s what a teacher does.

I fail to understand as to why school teachers are not awarded with titles like lecturer or professor as their work is far more crucial that creates the solid foundation on which college and university teachers build further structures of knowledge.

Anyways I wanted to talk about another topic that was on my mind especially after I heard the unfortunate news of the two high-profile suicides of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain. Two people with huge fortune, fame and doing the work which they were passionate about succumb to their emotional pains.

I think this is the high time when we as a society need to re-evaluate and re-define our standards of Success. This is not the first time when famous people who apparently had everything going in their favour took their life. Depression, fear and anxiety are the real culprits which could drive people to edges.

Although every depression is not suicidal, but if it goes unchecked or is not properly healed it can lead to severe consequences. When it comes to the medication for depression we need to realize that medicines are a good way to put people back into the stream of life yet drugs alone are not sufficient for curing this ailment. I am saying this because I have suffered and struggled with depression for a very long period in my life. Thankfully mine was not that severe or life-threatening, as it can be in many cases.

So what exactly happens to a person suffering from depression, although there are varying symptoms, yet following are the most common. A person can be feeling all or few of the below-stated symptoms. A link to Deepika Padukone's interview is given below which can help clarify may issues:

·       Feeling that heart is sinking;

·       Unexplained lethargy/ fatigue;

·       Loss or excess of appetite- could result in weight loss of gain;

·       Mood swings;

·       Over sensitivity towards other people’s behavior towards them, whether in family,   friendships or at work;

·  Constant negative thoughts of hopelessness, failure or in severe cases of being targeted by everyone around or of people scheming or planning against you;

·     Lack of interest in activities that once excited you;

·     Extreme bursts of sudden anger, anxiety or sadness even for the slightest things;

·     Feeling of extreme anxiety and fear about future;

·     Complain of back, stomach, head aches or vague symptoms of other ailments:

·     Overall lack of interest in life.

Now how to treat it (The disclaimer: I am not a doctor neither this post is in any way alternate to professional help but it merely share some pointers to diagnose or heal depression). Even if you are not suffering from depression then even you can take benefit of this post.

§  First, it is imperative to seek medical help. Start taking the medication. After few days or weeks you will feel better, energetic & interested in life activities.

This is the time you need to clearly understand that medicines alone are not the cure and there will be multiple things that you need to start doing, as long-term or years of taking depression medication has its side-effects. This focus here is on 'You" because you need to gather all the energy to get out of it.

§  The next step is to start writing a ‘gratitude diary’. Everyday write 10 things you are grateful for and also give the reason as to why you are grateful for those things. For instance, if you are thankful for your eyes then write that eyesight helps you to be independent in life, you can take care of yourself, eyes help to find your way, to see colors and see the faces of your loved ones, etc. If you need a reference to be grateful you can also read the book “the Magic” by Rhonda Byrne, she teaches very interesting & simple exercises to become grateful in everyday life.

Gratitude towards God for everything and every day creates a life of miracle and a beautiful energy around you that helps you to attract more situations to be grateful for. Remember “to every action there is always an equal and opposite reaction”.

§  Start exercising at home or join a gym and become disciplined for exercise, you can do weight training, cardio, swimming, yoga, whatever you love to do. The moment we exercise our brain starts to release an amazing chemical called ‘endorphin’ (also called happiness enzyme) this balances our brain chemistry and serotonin is created. Serotonin is the same chemical which anti-depressants artificially secrete in brain. (For home based exercise, workout series by fitness expert Jane Fonda are great to start with).

§  Eat proper food, wholesome fresh, home cooked breakfast, lunch & dinner. Eat ghee, dahi, green vegetable, seasonal fruits and drink water as much as you can. Avoid colas, deep fried fast food, artificial sugars or sweets, packaged food.

§  Eat seasonal and national. Take dinner at sunset or within 2-3 hours of it. Sleep early- wake up early.

§  Meditate every morning immediately after waking up and also at any time in the day as you feel like. Eckhart Tolle’s inner body, breathing and other meditations are fantastic- search for these with mp3 versions or download their mp4 version from YouTube and online convert them into mp3 to have them with you on phone or your computer.

§  Pray, pray, pray- be as disciplined and regular as you can be because God is the only power who can heal you. Talk to God in your heart, tell Him about your problems and pray that He solve everything. Read Quran or any other religious book that you belong too.

§  If you have excess to start complementary therapies like reflexology or acupressure, reiki, as these therapies treat our bodies, mind, heart and they are excellent for healing ailments like depression, anxiety, diabetes, heart problems, muscular issues, etc.  

§  Read 'A New Earth' by Eckhart Tolle. After reading this book you will know that all the sad emotions or negative thoughts are nothing more than sensations in your body and conditioned thinking pattern that thrives on the pain of the past and/ or on the fear of the future. You can also find audio versions of this book as well.

§  If you can, and it is additional that you may join a class for painting or any other creative activity as this will move your brain to be in color and excitement. Otherwise if you follow above lines you will be better equipped to cope with depression.

Please remember that depression is a medical condition just like flu, fever, thyroid, blood pressure, etc, and there is nothing to be ashamed of. You are not mad or crazy, but as Munna Bhai MBBS puts it “yeh chemical locha hai” (it is dis-balance of chemical in brain).

Everyone who comes across people suffering from depression, remember that every day is a struggle for them, at times getting out of the bed to do daily chores becomes a daunting task. The perfect life circumstances or material achievements or academic success are nothing for them but your support and encouragement would mean a world to them, literally!

Sonya Syed. (Day 575)

Link to Deepika's interview: 

People who suffered from depression right when everything was apparently going great for them:

The Rock

Shah Rukh Khan

Ellen DeGeneres

Brad Pitt

Beyonce

Prince Harry 

Kendall Jenner

Adele