In today’s fast-paced world, mental health challenges are becoming increasingly common. Many individuals are seeking alternative methods to cope with depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. This blog post explores one person’s journey from the depths of depression to a place of wellness, highlighting the role of plant medicine, physical practices, and mindful living in their recovery.
For many athletes, the transition from active sports participation to regular life can be challenging. Our story begins with a former ASU football player who found himself struggling with severe depression after his athletic career ended. This period was marked by:
Substance abuse, including cocaine, MDMA, and prescription drugs
A turbulent relationship
A suicide attempt
This dark period serves as a stark reminder of the importance of mental health support, especially during major life transitions.
Seeking Professional Help
The journey to recovery often begins with professional intervention. In this case, the individual sought help from both a psychiatrist and a psychologist. While these conventional approaches provided a foundation for recovery, they were just the beginning.
Fighting as Therapy
Interestingly, the practice of fighting became a crucial element in the recovery process. The physical and mental demands of combat sports can provide a unique form of therapy, offering:
A channel for pent-up emotions
Improved self-discipline and focus
A sense of achievement and progress
Embracing Plant Medicine
Plant medicine played a significant role in the healing journey. These natural alternatives to conventional pharmaceuticals include:
Psilocybin mushrooms
Ayahuasca
LSD (in microdoses)
It’s important to note that while these substances showed promise in this individual’s case, their use should always be approached with caution and preferably under professional guidance.
The recovery journey expanded beyond plant medicine to include a variety of holistic practices:
Mindful Movement
Walking meditation: Simple yet powerful, walking barefoot in nature can provide grounding and mental clarity.
Tai Chi and Qigong: These ancient practices combine gentle movement with breath work, promoting balance and inner peace.
Breathwork and Meditation
Incorporating breathwork and meditation techniques can help manage stress and improve overall well-being. These practices activate the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and healing.
Alternative Therapies
Float tanks: Sensory deprivation can provide deep relaxation and introspection.
Ice baths: While challenging, cold exposure therapy can boost mental resilience and physical health.
A key takeaway from this journey is the concept of “motion before emotion.” When facing emotional challenges:
Engage in physical movement
Allow the body to process emotions through action
Use walking or gentle exercise as a tool for contemplation and problem-solving
Every individual’s journey to mental wellness is unique. The key is to explore various methods and build a personal toolbox of practices that resonate with you. Remember, feeling is believing – if a practice makes you feel better, it’s worth incorporating into your routine.
By sharing these experiences and insights, we hope to inspire others to seek help, explore alternative therapies, and find their path to mental wellness. Remember, recovery is possible, and there are many tools available to support your journey.
At 26, life was like a high-speed train on the track to success. There I was, basking in the limelight on live TV, thinking I had it all. Love, career, the works. Just when I thought I was living the dream, anxiety decided to crash the party. Hard. Picture this: finding the love of your life, supposedly floating in a blissful cocktail of oxytocin and dopamine, and then—BOOM!—your brain throws a wrench in the works. A big, anxiety-filled, depression-laden, existential-dread-coated wrench. Welcome to my mental fiesta, folks.
Navigating through this unexpected turn was tough, but it led me to some incredible resources that have become my anchors. If you’re on a similar boat, here are 5 books on anxiety that might just be the lifeline you need:
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle This book was a game-changer for me. Tolle talks about the importance of living in the present moment, a concept that seemed foreign to my constantly racing mind. But learning to anchor myself in the ‘now’ helped quiet the noise and ease the panic. It’s a powerful read for anyone struggling to find peace amidst the chaos.
Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach Brach’s approach to accepting life as it comes was a balm to my frazzled nerves. Her blend of Buddhist philosophy and practical psychological advice taught me to embrace my anxiety, not as an enemy, but as a part of my journey. It’s about saying “yes” to life, panic attacks and all.
Scattered Minds by Gabor Maté Dr. Maté digs deep into the roots of ADHD, but it was his insights into how our minds scatter under stress and anxiety that resonated with me. This book helped me understand the ‘why’ behind my mental fiesta, offering a compassionate perspective on managing my scattered thoughts.
Homecoming by John Bradshaw In ‘Homecoming,’ Bradshaw delves into the inner child concept, guiding readers through a process of healing their childhood emotional wounds. It was a profound read that made me realize how much of my anxiety was tied to deeper, unresolved issues. It’s a journey back to one’s self, and for me, a pivotal step toward healing.
Great Leaders Live Like Drug Addicts by Michael Brody-Waite This one might sound offbeat in a list about anxiety, but stick with me. Brody-Waite draws parallels between the principles of recovery and effective leadership, advocating for honesty, openness, and vulnerability. Embracing these principles in dealing with my anxiety felt like shedding a heavy armor I didn’t know I was wearing. It’s about facing your fears head-on, with integrity.
Navigating anxiety is like walking through a maze; you know there’s an exit, but finding it is another story. These books have been my compass, guiding me through the darkest corners of my mind. They taught me resilience, acceptance, and, most importantly, that I’m not alone on this journey. If you’re feeling lost in your own maze, I hope these reads can offer you some solace and a way forward, just as they did for me. Remember, it’s okay to stumble; what matters is that we keep moving forward, one page at a time.
Just a heads up: some of the links in my posts might be affiliate links. This means if you click on them and make a purchase, I could earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It’s one way I help keep things running around here, and I only share links to stuff I really believe in. Thanks for your support!
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