Intro
The year 2020 has taken a toll on all of us in some way. Unfortunately, this has caused many of us to form some level of depression or anxiety.
Maybe you have struggled with it for years as I have. As a modern society, it is easy for us to stay inside, watch tv, or scroll on our phones. This is the exact opposite of what we need to be doing.
The great outdoors offers us many opportunities to help relieve depression and anxiety. Observing colors, grounding, touching the soil, distracting your mind, and taking vitamin D are all great ways for utilizing the outdoors in fighting against depression.
None of these methods should be used in place of your doctor or other appropriate health care professional. Any health concern or condition should be addressed by a doctor or other appropriate health care professional, see disclaimer.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are ‘affiliate links’. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission.
Observing Colors
Let’s first go over Color therapy. Color therapy is when certain colors bring out emotions and reactions when we see them. For example, the colors green and blue can bring out calmness and peacefulness. When you go outside, green and blue are two of the main colors you see.
However, those that live in apartments, or physically can’t get out enough, should consider an alternative. If you are already thinking about repainting your place, try researching some colors that may promote calmness. As I said, do some research of your own before you take this extreme measure. There are other ways to relieve depression than repainting your entire house… so keep reading if you don’t think this is for you.
Grounding
Think back to when you were a kid running barefoot in the backyard. I bet you didn’t know that running barefoot actually provided some health benefits. Grounding is when you touch the earth with your bare skin.
The earth and our bodies have their own electromagnetic field. When you ” ground” yourself the electrons from the earth transfer to you, and brings your body to the same electrical capacity as the earth. This has been known to promote better sleep, relieve stress, and provide many other benefits. Pip Waller recommends grounding for at least 40 minutes per day. I know, that’s a lot of precious time. If this doesn’t seem possible for you try bringing your work outside.
Another option is to eat your lunch outside in the middle of your workday and take those shoes off.
If these options still don’t work for you, and you can’t make it outside every day, try a grounding mat or sheet. These mimic the electrical charge of the earth, but you can use them in your home or office. Below are just a few suggestions of good sheets or mats you can use for grounding.
This first product is a sheet you can put over your bed. It’s a little pricey, but it could promote better sleep. If you have problems sleeping I would at least give it a try.
If you aren’t overly ecstatic about using a sheet, then try a smaller version. You can use this while working in your office or even while you sit and chill at home. It comes with a mat and bracelets.
Touching the Soil
Mycobacterium Vaccae is found in soil. You may be wondering why is this important. Well, this bacterium has been know to release the chemical, serotonin, in our brain. This process is similar to what an antidepressant would do. This results in a happier less stressful person.
Of course, I should note that this is still being scientifically researched. Go outside and play in the dirt, or do the more adult thing and plant a garden.
Unfortunately, I found no other alternative for those living in apartments. Try doing a potted garden on your balcony.
Distraction Through Exploration
Okay, so this is very specific, and not necessarily an “official” way of helping relieve anxiety and depression. I thought I should mention it because exploring new places always seems to get me out of a depression phase.
Yes, I have been depressed many times in my life. Most of those times were as a teenager, and when I was moving out on my own. I didn’t know how to cope with it, so I got into a pretty dark and hopeless place. Then, one day, someone at my college asked me to go running in the park with them. Almost instantly I started to feel better. I took up running for a while and realized that running on a treadmill didn’t have the same effect as running in new places did. I started to realize that maybe being in new places and discovering those surroundings gave me a purpose in life. I learned that for me being outside was my best cure!
Sometimes I still have anxiety attacks and phases of depression, but that’s when my husband and I know it’s time to go kayaking or hiking. I’m not trying to say this will work for everyone, because everyone is different. But sometimes a good distraction is what we need to stop thinking about what’s going on around us.
Vitamin D
According to, Karen E. Drummond and Lisa M. Brefere, in the textbook, “Nutrition for Foodservice and Culinary Professionals ” the sun is essential in our lives. It provides us with a significant source of vitamin D. In fact, one of the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency is depression.
Again, we have all shut ourselves indoors and watch tv as a pastime, making us unable to reap the benefits of the sunlight. It’s time to get outside and soak up that vitamin D.
The book recommends being in direct sunlight for about 15 min a day about 2 to 3 times a week. Dark-skinned people need more time in the sun because the melanin in their skin acts as sunscreen. Some days it may be impossible to get outside and sit in the sunlight, so there is always the option of taking a supplement. The one listed below is the one I use. There is no taste, and it’s easier to take than the pill form. Be careful with supplements, however, because you can take too much. Always check with your doctor, and read the dosing information before you take any supplements.
Experiencing depression and anxiety in any way is dreadful. I hope some of these tips prove to be useful for you as they were for me. Check out some of the citations if you would like to read deeper into the subject. Also, the book below is great for self-care and evaluation. It discusses breathing and meditation techniques and gives you many great tips for your mental and overall health.
Online Sources
-“Earthing: Health Implications of Reconnecting the Human Body to the Earth’s Surface Electrons.” US National Library of medicine, National Institutes of Health. Gaetan Chevalier, Stephen T. Sinatra, James L. Oschman, Karol Sokal, Pawel Sokal. 1-12-2012. Web. Date of access 11-18-2020. hhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3265077/.
