Depression, a psychological condition in which a person undergoes extreme state of sadness, has been prevalent in the country over the recent years. This can be brought about by many things—failure in relationships, problems at school or work, family crisis, financial troubles or inability to see the brighter side of life. Whatever it is, the growing number of people experiencing depression has been quite alarming.

If only a psychologist or doctor can write the words “be happy” in the prescription, it will be much easier. But it is not as simple as that. A person undergoing depression should see a professional psychologist and get immediate help.

Massage, which is seen as one of the effective ways of coping with depression, has been included in many medical therapies. Getting a stone massage therapy, which is a variation of the classic massage style, is one of the ways to deal with or avoid depression.

This therapy incorporates the use of heated stones, which are known to be effective in opening up chakras or energy channels in the body. In the process of the therapy, the therapist will place stones in different parts of the body, which are called energy centers such as the spine, palms of the hand, thighs, arms and neck area.

These stones will also be used to apply pressure on the body for deep tissue and muscular manipulation. This method releases tension and stress from the body, and calms and soothes the mind.

When a person gets a massage, he or she enters in a meditative state where there is no stress, worry or problem that can bother him or her. During the session, the recipient of the massage is encouraged to imagine being in a tranquil secure place where nothing can harm or disturb him or her. Engaging in an hour of this can definitely make a big difference in a person’s life.

This meditative state as well as the ultimate relaxation brought about by the massage indeed does wonders in uplifting a person’s mood and calming of one’s psyche.

It is difficult to tell how exactly it happens but after a session, a person will feel brighter and more cheerful, even having a more positive outlook in life.

The combination of the massage and the aromatherapy scents, oils, and candles used during the session also help to lift up a person’s spirit. Getting a soothing stone massage makes it very easy for one to forget about his problems.

And unlike with alcohol intoxication which some depressed people may indulge in because of its similar effect (making one forget about his troubles), the positive effects of massage such as feeling of happiness are more permanent. Not to mention, there are no hangovers or splitting headaches after. Also, massage is beneficial to one’s physical and mental health, unlike alcohol, which gradually deteriorates your system and causes many health problems.

Getting a regular stone massage is a good way to avoid depression. But of course, you do not completely rely your happiness on it, rather see it as one of the many ways you can enjoy life and live it to the fullest.

Chris Turley, a director of a massage stone supply company, is an expert on massage stones. Learn more by visiting his site at www.tirmassagestone.com.

• TALE OF THE DEPRESSION (Dallas Morning News)
  
  LITTLE ROCK – Maudie White Hopkins did what she had to do as a young girl living a hard-scrabble life in the Ozarks in the Depression. In a family of 10 children, she did laundry and cleaned house for an elderly Confederate veteran in Baxter County.
  


• You've Got To Have Hope: Studies Show 'Hope Therapy' Fights Depression (Science Daily)
  
  A growing body of research suggests that there is a potent way to fight symptoms of depression that doesn't involve getting a prescription. This potent weapon? Hope. "We're finding that hope is consistently associated with fewer symptoms of depression. And the good news is that hope is something that can be taught, and can be developed in many of the people who need it," said Jennifer Cheavens ...
  


• Does 'Hope Therapy' Help Depression? (MedicineNet.com)
  
  Title: Does 'Hope Therapy' Help Depression? Category: Health News Created: 8/19/2008 Last Editorial Review: 8/19/2008
  


• Redundancy and the threat of a great depression (Financial Times)
  
  Philip Joslin, a senior clinician at Lifeworks, a private clinic in London dealing with addictions and depression, believes redundancy "is not just a matter of economic survival. It threatens people's very identity".
  


• Hope Therapy for Depression (Psych Central)
  
  Emerging research suggests cognitive behavioral therapy that teaches an individual to have hope can overcome depression. “We’re finding that hope is consistently associated with fewer symptoms of depression. And the good news is that hope is something that can be taught, and can be developed in many of the people who need it,” [...]
  


• Depression-era job corps marks 75th anniversary (Detroit News)
  
  HARTFORD, Conn . -- An 18-year-old Harold Mattern welcomed the idea of clearing forest trails and building bridges and dams as a member of President Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corps.
  


• Amity Shlaes: Repeating key mistakes of the Great Depression (New Hampshire Union Leader)
  
  Perverse monetary policy was the greatest cause of the Great Depression.
  


• Edouard downgraded to a tropical depression (The Champions Sun)
  
  At 400 pm CDT, the Center of Tropical Depression Edouard was located near latitude 30.2 north and longitude 95.2 west or about 35 miles north-northeast of Houston.
  


• Depression: illness, not weakness (CBC Montreal)
  
  More than three million Canadians will experience a major bout of depression at some point in their lives, according to the Canadian Mental Health Association.
  


• Hard worker from Greensburg got family through Depression (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)
  
  Anna Osak Kish, formerly of McKeesport, died Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008, in St. Anne Home, Greensburg. She was 92.