Are you Depressed?

Depression isn't a joke. There are so many athletes who struggle with depression and anxiety. Some will think athletes are depressed and anxious due to retirement, failure to perform, sports injuries, bills, family, and friends or just mental factors. In my own experience, I've seen depression and anxiety during people's sport's careers and very few after. The pressure athletes feel can be unbelievably overwhelming. Do you struggle with depression or anxiety? Or do you know someone who does?

Odds are, you will know at least one person who struggles with depression and anxiety. This is a dark and lonely road. These emotions will make you feel isolated and secluded. It will have you believing you are the only one in the world with these thoughts. Your imagination will make problems seem bigger than what it is. Everything in this world will be supersized, but there is an answer when you can't control your thoughts. Breathing. It sounds simple, but it works.

Breathing helps calm the nerves and the mind. When the mind is moving quickly in a negative direction, breathe. When you are feeling pressure, take 2 minutes to close your eyes and inhale and exhale. Do not rush this process. After this exercise, you won’t struggle with this disease anymore. You have to believe this. You might not be completely free after this, but it’s a start. No more entrapment, just inhale and exhale, in through your nose, out through your mouth. You don’t have to suffer any longer.

I don’t know your story; I just know life has a way of throwing curve balls to make you feel terrible. Depression and anxiety are major curve balls that can make you crippled. You have to set boundaries. You have to set limits on your life. There are some things you can’t say even when you’re mad. You have to act a certain way. There are things you can’t watch on TV or the music you listen to. Your mind has to be made up. You can’t get distracted easily. It might be hard to restrict yourself from these things, but if you want to make sure you're not letting negative energies in, then set boundaries. You can’t let anything separate you from your mind. NOTHING.

Remember your thoughts will try to re-enter into your head. Do you want to fix it? Speak aloud. Do you want peace? For every negative thought that enters in, speak positive words over your life. You are unstoppable. You will not lose your mind! You will not faint!  Your mind won’t control you. You are great. You are a gift from God!