In today’s blog post I’m writing about ‘Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression – and the unexpected solutions’ by Johann Hari. He is an author that has experienced depression for many years, was on prescription medication and then decided to delve deeper into what causes depression and what can help people with it. Johann Hari, found the journey of discovery very confronting as he kept coming up against evidence that was in contrary to his own beliefs around depression and the story he had been telling himself for years. It threatened what he knew about himself: that he should take anti depressants, that the drugs sometimes worked and that he had low serotonin levels.
As he continues on his search for a solution for himself, he finds that most things that will help him has nothing to do with medication, but more so around his external environment, people and connections. You will need to read the book to get all of his suggestions, but one of my favourites was: Connecting with the Natural World. He covers how he trekked up a massive mountain reluctantly. Which I can totally relate to, as I’m not one to put my hand up to go camping (I’ve never been camping in my entire life), trekking or going to the beach (unless I’m home in the Seychelles – then I’m all in!). For me, nature is something I must force myself to make time for and this is something I’m going to consciously make more of an effort to do.
If you’ve ever wondered how to get more joy and release the feelings of anxiety and depression, this book is for you. It has been one of the most powerful books I’ve recently read and provides great input in regards to the ongoing debate surrounding prescription medications and provided me more clarity around this topic.
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