Break the Negative Cycle

Part of why depression is so debilitating is the vicious circle of negative thinking. It goes something like this:
I feel down > I'm lazy > I don't deserve ______ > I feel guilty/anxious/stressed/pain/paranoid/whatever > I should _____ > I'm tired > I don't care > leave me alone > REPEAT

Here are some techniques I used to break this cycle:

Listen to comedy - not the sarcastic type but pure funny stuff

Search for quotes on life wisdom - ponder its truth and how (if at all) you can apply it

Clean something - it is amazing how focusing on a simple task can give your mind a break

Write a note of appreciation - like smiling, using positive language raises your spirit/mood

Breath - if you don't know how, look up yoga/meditation/mindfulness

The possibilities are endless. The main idea I am highlighting is to FOCUS on something for a little while (15 minutes) to give your mind a break from negative thinking. This will allow you to stop the downward cycle and at least not get worse. Best case scenario, you start on a positive journey!

Comments

Depression SWOT Analysis

One of my special talents (no big head here just historical evidence) is translating and adopting seemingly unrelated concepts to solve problems. This is the context for sharing how I used a traditional business tool SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) to assess and plot a path out of depression. First off, using business tools for mental health is a great thing because it allows for taking the illness into a more pragmatic framework than traditional therapy approaches. Secondly, business concepts are known to many so there is an innate comfort in relating to them. Third, using a tool that is not psychological in nature may help put more emphasis on problem solving than illness identification. What I mean by this is a different viewpoint that focuses on current practices and options moving forward. So lets begin. SWOT is a staple of competitive analysis tools in business. You can read a good writeup here: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_05.htm My adoptio

Depression after beliefs shatter

It occurred to me that after the January 6th riot, many of the people who truly believe they have been cheated by the system can fall into depression. It is like their whole world crumble. They may feel abandoned as human beings. I'm not talking about the rioters that were looking for an opportunity to cause havoc. I'm talking about those who cried while stating that they have no option but resort to extreme measures. Regardless of what our political views are, we cannot forget that behind the scenes are real people with real feelings. The effect of facing with our beliefs being destroyed is like a glass castle crumbling to pieces. People will feel lost, purposeless, discredited, ousted, ostracized, looked down on, and a host of other things. Many will fall into depression and some into deep depression. How are we going to help those who will fall into hopelessness, helplessness, despair? The burden to heal so many will fall on all of us because mental health professionals will

Depression - 4 Daily Essentials

After almost a year of searching for, testing and developing practices to eliminate depression, I've come up with the most essential 4 that has the greatest impact. I'll keep this really simple. 1. Start the morning right (5-minutes) State out loud: I am the maker of my good day Make a list of 3 positive things you a thankful in your life Make a daily to-do list of 3 items (must, optional, just for me) Commit to make the day count for you (learn something, feel progress) 2. Reset when unwanted thoughts, events, whatever happens Make a list of 5-minute activities (water plants, load dish washer, sort laundry, send a message to a friend, walk around the block, window shop online for something specific, have a cup of tea, meditate, listen to a song/talk/audio book, etc.) Whenever you sense the onset of a downward feeling (usually a gut or heart squeeze) nip it immediately by doing one of the items from your list 3. Take a 15-minute 'me time' Create a playlist of meditation

Depression Road

Search This Blog