I was feeling depressed for decades. What helped me heal?

Unhappy and happy — 13 years apart:

This was me 13 years ago, and 13 days ago presenting at a digital health conference.

The past me has a few more years of struggle ahead I did barely allow anyone to see. I was not sharing my internal struggles, performing poorly in university, distracted myself as much as possible and did not seek any help.

I was constantly sick and not able to focus well.

I thought most people might feel like life is a burden, it’s hard and not enjoyable.

Then, in 2011, I finally followed the advice of a dear friend to try yoga and meditation. It made me feel like never before, and I sensed a different being and reality is possible.

I did more and more of it.

It was possible to feel happy. And to be healthy.

I felt gradually better — until I learned breathing awareness around 2014 to learn how to shift my perspective in each moment.

I can always take a deep breath, a letting go exhale and reset my reality.

I know I was privileged to be able to have mindfulness classes nearby, take weeks-long silent meditation retreat with Buddhist masters in Asia and organize events for experts like Wim Hof to learn in New York.

Original 2022 article link

First NY workshop organized for Wim Hof and his team

I learned how to be happy and have not been sick since 2014 (minus screen-caused migraines), published papers at renowned conferences and wrote machine learning patents.

Not everyone will have the resources, support, access and network.

Here is brief video about my journey.

Original 2022 article link

Brief video about my journey

I believe nobody has to struggle with depression and anxiety if given the resources, tools and access.

On #worldmentalhealthday now, I am so grateful for our breathing.ai team to develop scalable, affordable and accessible services to support health and happiness.

We share a mission to overcome the current disconnect of mind and body, and technology, and to create mindful and bio-adaptive technologies. Once we feel better, we also perform better. And with joy.

We believe it is possible, and we believe we will succeed with our vision to create a significantly happier and healthier world.

Shoulder to shoulder and from heart to heart across generations and cultures.

Personally, I am always happy to share what helped me and to learn.

My inbox is always open :)

(delayed reposting here — on World Mental Health Day 2022 initially on LinkedIn and IG) #gratitude #mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #digitalhealth #depression #anxiety #wimhof #deepbreathing #breathwork