Lately, I have had a lot of clients dealing with depression.  Over the years, I have found several powerful ways to shift energy even from the midst of depression, so I thought that I would share them here with all of you.

It is important to keep in mind that although depression feels like it will last forever, it is actually just your brain’s response to a thought.  That means that although it feels very real, it is nothing more than neurons running down a deep rut in your brain.  If you can create a new and better rut, with different thoughts, your brain will respond with more pleasant chemicals and sensations.

The goal then is to change your energy – literally and in the moment!  Do not worry about commitment or accomplishment or guilt or labels for anything, especially for yourself. Stay in the moment as much as possible and notice the difference.

Try these quick and easy tips when you feel depression overtaking you.  These “actions” do not require much effort yet they make a huge difference over even a short amount of time.

1. Focus on some physical object that you can see.  This can be anything that you can actually see!

Notice and describe to yourself the physical attributes of the object. For example, “This table is rectangular in shape.  It is about 2 feet tall and has a glass top that is about 3 feet by 4 feet.  The top is reflective. The legs are wooden and have curves carved into them.” Do this non-emotional description stuff for about 90 seconds, if possible. That is how long the chemicals from the previous crappy thought will take to move on out.

2. “Dance” in place

Move your body HARD for as long as you can, as hard as you can – but at least for 90 seconds again.  This shifts the chemicals and gets oxygen into your blood. Even if you cannot actually get yourself up and out of bed, you can do the same action with your fingers or toes.  Remember the goal is not physical exercise, but to shift your thought pattern and thus the energy with which you are showing up in your own life.

3. Focus on the little bits of light.

If you notice one little bright thing – the dog’s antics, how warm the sunshine feels, the taste of the coffee, etc- then make a point of appreciating it.  I do not mean going into some organized, involved gratitude type action that involves judgment.  Simply notice that you have observed that something good, bright, positive or light DID happen in that moment, in your life. You don’t have to make any judgments or comparisons or commitments, just notice the positive does exist in your world. And these can be VERY small bits of light.

4. Focus on tiny, tiny details.

Similarly notice how things actually are different, no matter how small your world has become.  Life is constantly on the move, even if we feel like we are stuck.  Notice the tiny details in your carpet pattern, notice how a spider has built a web since yesterday, and notice how the toilet paper roll looks different than last time you went to the bathroom.  Changes are literally around you at all times.  Your job here is to just notice these little things.

5.Ask questions

Avoid the “why” questions and if you have been depressed for along time, avoid the “how can I…” questions for a bit.  When you ask questions, the goal is not to be able to answer them.  The goal is to change your energy and therefore your thought patterns. These can be big philosophical questions like “What makes the sky blue?” or silly ones like, “I wonder how big this puppy will get?” Questions like “What would it take for me to get up?” or what types of people might like rain?” will send your brain off of the depression channel into the discovery channel. Questions can change our energy immediately, simply by being a question.  Don’t worry about the value of the question, simply start asking and see what it feels like.

6. Use the energy of others.

When possible, get yourself around other people, even if you do not interact with them.  Other animals (including humans) will help move the energy in your body.  Do NOT try to accomplish anything more than simply “being” in the space with other humans (or pets).  Do this in nature if possible.  Do NOT do it in a place or circumstance where people are likely to be stressed out, depressed or otherwise in some negative state. You will pick up that energy as well. (Hospitals, malls and rush hour traffic are no-nos.  Outdoor festivals, hike and bike trail, or other recreational gathering spots are good.) Keep in mind that you are not trying to fit in, not trying to get attention, not trying to fix yourself. You are simply noticing the way it feels.

7. Using the water or the wind

Strangely enough getting into water or being in a strong wind can also move great gobs of junky energy “off” of our physical bodies. Again don’t try to accomplish anything, simply “be”. Take a shower, go for a dip, or stick you head outside in the wind and pretend to be a dog hanging his head out of the car window. Notice the sensations that come with these actions.

Repeat any and all of these as often as you need them. Notice when your energy shifts and take advantage of the freedom when it is available.  You have tools, you are not alone and life (including you) is actually in motion.  See if you can notice.