How I Beat Depresion ( And You Can Do it too)

_{My happy place.}

The year was 2013. I was feeling depressed. Sad. Lack of motivation. Every time I wake up in the morning, I feel that my life has no purpose. My mental state was in total disarray. I was confused at the time. I cannot focus. I was lost. I tried to remedy my depression with tv. I spent countless hours watching tv shows, only to realize that I was wasting the most precious thing we can never get back time.

Then one day, as I was just searching the internet for something to read, I chance to read an article about exercise. As I was reading the article, I was motivated.

In the article, it states that exercise has a lot of benefits, and one of those benefits is that it alleviates depression. Then I said to myself, oh well I might just try this one. Maybe this helps. So I finally decided to take make a change and set my mind to go to the gym. The first time I went to the gym I was clueless. I was overwhelmed and intimidated by the big machines and equipment. It was frustrating, to say the least. But I pressed on.

Luckily, after a few days, I made some friends and taught me how to lift. The moment I knew the proper way I was hooked. The depression was gone. I did not watch the television anymore, nor did I watch the news. Watching the news just makes me feel depressed. Not a good thing comes from watching the television. So I decided to quit watching it.

For the first three years, I was making progress in the gym. I bought some protein powders and all that stuff to make you become "bigger." I was addicted to the gym culture.

_{Doing sets of deadlifts and breathing squats.}

Sure, going to the gym was fun, for me. It was my outlet. My daily escape from the realities of life. When I am in the gym, I feel focused. My concentration is intense. Every set counts. Blood, sweat, and tears. All of it.

In this world, nothing is permanent except change. This change happened when my wife and I decided to relocate to her place. When you relocate to another place, you need to make some adjustments.

So I left my gym buddies and friends over there when we relocated here. And I stop going to the gym for a year.

Well, I stopped because I need to take a break. I let my body heal from almost ten years of heavy lifting.

Now, just recently. the depression was starting to creep in again in my mind. Well hello darkness my old friend. I have come to meet you again.

It started again affecting my way of thinking. I was easily irritated and angry. It made me feel tired.

It was just recently that I need to find my peace of mind. I need an outlet to pour my frustrations out.

Okay. I said. I need to find a gym.

_{First time doing squats after a year of hiatus.}

Luckily at my place, we have a gym here. So I decided to get up and start doing it again.

The moment I stepped back into the gym, I was happy. I found my peace. It made me realize it was all worth it.

_{Doing sets of leg press.}

So, if you're feeling down and lonely, you need to find your outlet. You need to find your peace. You need to find that one special thing that makes you happy.

Now go. You need to do it.