Understand that feelings of depression and anxiety are not signs of weakness or being broken, but rather a natural response to unmet human psychological needs, making your pain a meaningful signal.
When experiencing depression or anxiety, focus on identifying and dealing with the underlying biological, psychological, and social causes, rather than solely relying on superficial solutions.
Actively seek out and implement practical solutions that directly address the specific root causes of your distress, similar to how providing a cow solved a farmer’s depression by changing his circumstances.
Recognize and actively work to fulfill your natural psychological needs for belonging, meaning, purpose, feeling seen and valued, and having a future that makes sense, as these are as crucial as physical needs.
Shift your pursuit of happiness from individualistic actions (e.g., buying things for yourself) to collective actions that benefit others, your friends, family, or community, as this approach has been shown to be more effective.
If experiencing loneliness or anxiety, join or create a group activity with others who share similar struggles, such as gardening, to foster a sense of belonging, mutual support, and shared purpose.
Actively seek exposure to the natural world, as this has been shown to be a powerful antidepressant and can contribute to overall well-being.
When feeling acutely painful emotions, intentionally shift focus from self-serving actions to doing something for someone else, even if it’s just listening, as this can be transformative.
Offer the gift of your presence and active listening to others, especially in a culture where many people feel unseen and unheard, as this can be a profound act of connection and support.
Challenge the societal message that you should live and solve problems alone, understanding that humans evolved to live in tribes and that isolation is a signal of danger, not self-sufficiency.