subject: Mid-life Male Depression - How To Successfully Walk Through It And Recreate Your Life! [print this page] Welcome to male depression! You were fine the other day and now you do not know what has hit you. You are experiencing something you do not understand, cannot put a name to, and over which you appear to have no control!
You may try to shrug it off as nothing, or hit the alcohol to help yourself find some relief, but that is a distraction and not the answer that will help you move forward. Rather, it is toward yourself that you must turn if you want to obtain the wisdom from this experience, and create a new path for yourself.
It may be bumpy for a while but it will not last forever. Become aware that you are going through major changes both in your life and your body. The following suggestions may help you transition into your new way of life more easily.
1. Look at your spiritual or religious beliefs. Do they support you or hinder you? Feeling empty may mean that you need to strengthen your faith. What is the use of pretending to believe in a God if he is nowhere to be found when you need him?
Studies show that depression can be significantly reduced by regular practices such as meditation, prayer or church attendance. Explore and follow what has deep meaning for you.
2. Try something new. Male depression can often be accompanied by thoughts of feeling "useless'. Maybe you could try a new hobby or learn a new skill. This will help focus your mind on something enjoyable and help boost your self-esteem. It will give you evidence that you are still a very capable person with a lot to offer, and may very well lead to a new career.
3. Communicate with your loved ones. This is vital, to get you through this time successfully. You will find that, if you open up to the people you love, they will be better able to support you. They will also understand that you are not rejecting them but need to take time to be on your own and will respect that.
4. Look after your health. When you are depessed, there can be a tendency not to want to eat or not to care what you eat. Make sure you are eating nutritious food and taking a multi vitamin or a tonic. A short walk each day will give you more energy.
5. Slow down. Male depression can be a rite of passage. A time to experience and gain wisdom from. Some people believe that whatever happens to us is random and others believe it has a higher meaning.
In order to find what meaning it has for you, you need to make yourself available to just "be". Ask yourself what the positive message is. What is your positive learning from this time? Become curious and determined to find the answers and you will.
Male depression, if recognised and seen as a positive period of transition, can be a time of learning more about who you really are and what you stand for in the world and lead you to new, more fulfilling experiences.
