Are You Depressed?
Disclaimer: For serious depression issues, please consult a physician.
Depression is on the increase as people struggle with the economy’s woes. Worry about kids, jobs, illnesses, insurance benefits, and budget stressors can make the day gloomy.
What do we do about depression? For certain, today you probably won’t be able to fix the economy, and maybe many other problems you’re experiencing don’t have quick solutions. Even though today may not bring permanent answers to your day’s trouble spots, there are some things you can do about feeling gloomy.
The use of “self-talk” can be very beneficial. Practice until it becomes a daily habit. Normally, we tell ourselves all kinds of negative things all during the day and into the night. Your mental voice often says things like: “I’m stupid. Why did I do that? What’s wrong with me? I keep screwing up. No one accepts me. I look fat. I’m ugly. My hair’s a mess. I need a makeover. I’m not doing enough. My kids hate me. I’m not a good parent.” I don’t do my job right.”
We’ve got criticizing ourselves down quite well. What we need to do more of, is positive self talk that will energize us and change our mood. Not empty compliments, but really good advice. You CAN be your own best friend!
Saying things like:
“I am good enough, today; I do many things well; I may not be able to solve all the problems I am thinking about, but I can make some improvements on one or two. (Be specific in your head.); I can break complicated tasks or problems down into many smaller steps; I can clean one room tonight. I can get the laundry done, today; I will spend 1 hour with my child tonight; I am well-groomed; I look good; I can smile; I can focus on my job today; I can help someone else; I will sleep in a dark, cool room, I will listen to soft music that fades gradually into silence.”
The more specific we can be with our self-talk, the more we will feel in control of our lives, and the more control we feel, an increased feeling of joy will come over us. The list goes on. In fact, what we say to ourselves is endless.
Vow today, to: Lift yourself up!; Pay attention to your children!; Eat more nutritiously!; Take part in the community!; Join a club or organization!; Make time for yourself every single day; Clean the house. (A clean, organized home really does make you feel joyous!); Walk daily, just 15 minutes, in fact, start out with 10; Think of 3 new habits to develop, and begin small but begin! (i.e. do the dishes nightly; clean the tub nightly; read a chapter in an uplifting book, daily, talk to your kids individually, daily, talk to your spouse privately, daily.)
Practice the art of pretending. You can pretend to feel good, until you DO feel good. You’re worth it, vow to fight depression, to get that new job, to show your children how to cope with problems!
Do something different, today! I KNOW you can. Keep hope alive.
Written by sillyfrank on June 26th, 2009 with
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