6.5 - Mental issues: anxiety, stress, depression

Part 2 of this book is most directly written for these conditions. The core practices, in order of leverage:

• Chapter 2.1 Letting Go - the foundation. Directly engages the emotional material.

• Chapter 2.5 Breathwork - especially active forms. Reaches what talk therapy can't.

• Chapter 2.3 Meditation - active forms (Kundalini, Dynamic) for the agitated end of the spectrum; silent forms for the depressed end.

• Chapter 1.8 Cold Therapy & Breathwork - dopamine and norepinephrine effects are especially helpful for mild-to-moderate depression.

• Chapter 2.4 Gratitude - among the most evidence-supported single interventions in positive psychology.

• Chapter 1.10 Better Sleep - especially if depression and sleep are intertwined.

• Chapter 1.4 Movement - more reliably antidepressant than most medications for mild-to-moderate depression.

• Chapter 2.6 Psychedelics - in supervised therapeutic contexts, for treatment-resistant depression, trauma, and end-of-life anxiety.

• Chapter 2.2 The Failure of Traditional Therapy - if you've been in talk therapy a long time and nothing's moving, this chapter is for you.

For clinical-grade symptoms (suicidal ideation, severe depression, panic disorder, PTSD), the practices in this book are a complement to professional care, not a replacement. Talk to a clinician.