Life Coaching Vs Antidepressants

To be idle is a short road to death and to be diligent is a way of life; foolish people are idle, wise people are diligent. – Buddha

I heard on the news somewhere recently that, since the economic downturn, antidepressant usage has gone up. I don’t know about you but, ironically, I find that news quite depressing.

Point blank, I think antidepressants are dolled out too easily. I’ve heard stories of people being prescribed them even after telling their doctor that they were just feeling a bit down.

They didn’t even ask for them, they were just given them as if they were sweets.

Everyone feels low at some point and most people have had a bout of depression. For the most part, it’s short lived and eventually burns itself out. Some people have slightly longer bouts and have them frequently.

Causes and Cures

What those people don’t realise is that the prime cause is remaining unoccupied, or a word I prefer to use, being idle.

I know there are people out there who do have ‘clinical’ depression but there are many people who could be lifted out of mild forms of depression very easily.

There is a simple solution to this and it’s called Life Coaching.

I strongly believe that even with just a few minutes of Life Coaching people can be brought out of that state of feeling low, even depression, with a few simple questions and by getting to the root cause.

And therein lies the main flaw of anti-depressants. They only solve the problem temporarily. How? By producing the chemicals that make people feel better short term. They do not get to the root cause and give people long term relief.

By Jove, I think we may have stumbled upon something there!

If people could be made to ‘feel better’ using other means, that should mean that anti-depressants would no longer be needed!

Whenever I’ve felt low, there’s usually been a very simple reason. I’ve allowed myself to become idle and wallow in what’s wrong with my life.

I’ve also noticed a pattern whereby, the people who tell me that they’re depressed, often feel that way because they are idle for much of the time.

They’ve gotten into the habit of doing nothing and allowing their minds to get into the habit of thinking about life’s flaws instead of the wonderful things life has to offer.

I’ve rarely have heard anyone who is proactive tell me that they feel low or depressed. It’s because they’re keeping their mind and body active doing the things they enjoy.

Even if it’s just sitting in the garden sipping their favourite beer whilst watching the game, at least they’re doing what they enjoy.

As soon as I turn myself around and become proactive, I start to feel better. Movement creates the same chemicals as anti-depressants.

Mask and Root Cause

That however, could still mask the real issue. People often drown themselves in something like work or going to the gym to forget. Once they stop, they go back to exactly where they were.

The process of getting to the root cause make take a bit more work but can just as easily be accomplished.

I’ve even surprised myself at how many people I’ve help to lift out of depression by some very simple coaching.

Getting to the root cause isn’t that difficult. You don’t even have to be a Tony Robbins to do it. Most of it is accomplished on it’s own, even the coach has an easy job if it. All they need to do is ask the right questions and let the client eventually reveal their own map of why they feel low.

The process of Life Coaching could save the health service quite a bit of money. We’d even help the economy.

There is even such a thing as self coaching. If you’re feeling low and you’ve been to your doctor and they’ve offered you anti-depressants, before you take them, just go through a few simple motions, if it doesn’t work, fine take the pills.

Steps:

Questions To Ask Yourself

1. Why am I feeling low? What was the cause? What triggered it?
2. Over time, will I eventually get through this?
3. What can I do right now to feel better? (Except take anti-depressants.)

Actions:

Things To Do

1. Move around
2. Get active and do something. Get someone to push you in a shopping trolley! (Always works for me!) 😆
3. Get out and meet friends or new people. A stroll in the park will get you in the right direction.