Smile once in a while crocodile....

Tessa Mckenzie
Jan 28, 2014
2 min read

Depression and anxiety are now rife in our community and I sometimes wonder whether or not a lot of this has to do with a few things…

Firstly, MEDIA. We are inundated with advertising, pictures on facebook and instagram, television shows and movies all portraying the “perfect” body, the “perfect” house, the “perfect” relationship…..perfect, perfect, perfect. Let me tell you right now I am not perfect and never will be I live on earth where I like to be realistic. Don’t get me wrong I try and make my life as fulfilling as possible by eating well, dressing myself in nice clothes that make me feel confident, working on my important relationships and always learning because I like to be educated. However, this constant need for many people to strive for perfection leads to a huge feeling of overwhelm, which leads to feeling of anxiousness and then when perfection is not achieved depression sets in and feelings of worthlessness follow.

Secondly, NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY. Western society is overfed and undernourished. We now have one of the highest rates of obesity in the world, yet we are over consuming food like there is no tomorrow and we are tired, run down, foggy headed, depressed and starved of nutrients. We are a sick society who has huge rates of chronic disease. Thankfully, there is a health movement happening and the more people who catch on the better, people are juicing, throwing together green smoothies, eating raw, eating real, wholesome food. Eating this way will truly change your life and mood. Even the simple things like cutting out caffeine, removing sugar from the diet and alcohol can improve depression and anxiety greatly.

Thirdly, SEEKING HAPPINESS IN THE FORM OF MATERIAL POSSESIONS. Thinking that having the latest iphone or a better job or a newer car will bring you happiness is just silly. It is great to strive for these things you like but do not base your worth and happiness on them, do not be disappointed if you do not get them. True happiness comes from within, with being comfortable with yourself, with loving yourself and not relying on any one or group of individuals to provide you with happiness.

A few guidelines that may turn that frown upside down:

Simplicity – make things easy for yourself, avoid extra pressures and unnecessary tasks.
Support – surround yourself with good relationships, cut off any bad relationships.
Acceptance – accept help from those who offer it, you don’t have to have the weight of the world on your shoulders.
Eat real food – nothing from a box, container, tube, tub. Everything from the ground & water (well nearly everything).
Move – run, jump, stretch, fly, use your body daily.
Sleep – adequate sleep is an essential ingredient to a sound mind.
Breathe – in and out, in and out, deep, long breaths.
Forget Comparison – it doesn’t matter what anyone else has, you need to be happy with who you are inside.
Love – give out what you wish to receive
Cleanse – turn off the TV, turn off your phone, turn off the ipad, turn off the computer. Detox from all forms of media.