How To Think Positive When Depressed

How Does Thinking Positive Help

Studies reveal that thinking positive when depressed or keeping all types of negative thoughts at bay can not only help cure depression but also prevent several mental illnesses.

• If you are depressed and negative thoughts such as those of hurting yourself are occurring to you then you need to consult your therapist or doctor without delay. Depression is a dangerous disease which can force you to do any extreme activity including suicide. Stay positive and owning a positive approach to everything is very important when depressed.
• CBT or cognitive-behavioral therapy can be of great help in replacing negative and bad thoughts with encouraging and positive thinking when depressed.
• Negative thoughts are a common symptom of depression and can worsen the disease tremendously. If you learn to think positive when depressed, it can aid in the treatment efforts.
• Changing the way you think from negative to positive does not happen overnight as it is a slow and gradual process. In order to think positive when depressed, you will have to practice is every single day. It is only then that healthy and positive thinking will start coming naturally to you.

Whether or not you are being treated for depressed, even if you have mild depression, learning to stay positive can help in every way. Know how to think positive when depressed and keep yourself healthy, both mentally and physically.

What Pessimists Should Know

That all sounds great, right? But what if youâre naturally more pessimistic, meaning that you tend to expect the worst? No worries. It may help to see this positive thinking as a skill you can learn and benefit from, rather than a personality trait you either have or you donât.

Thereâs research on this, too. In one experiment, adults who meditated daily on positive thoughts started feeling more upbeat emotions each day.

Other studies have shown that positive thinking helps people manage illness and eases depression, regardless of whether they are naturally optimistic or pessimistic.

Coping With Depression Tip : Reach Out And Stay Connected

Getting support plays an essential role in overcoming depression. On your own, it can be difficult to maintain a healthy perspective and sustain the effort required to beat depression. At the same time, the very nature of depression makes it difficult to reach out for help. When youre depressed, the tendency is to withdraw and isolate so that connecting to even close family members and friends can be tough.

You may feel too exhausted to talk, ashamed at your situation, or guilty for neglecting certain relationships. But this is just the depression talking. Staying connected to other people and taking part in social activities will make a world of difference in your mood and outlook. Reaching out is not a sign of weakness and it wont mean youre a burden to others. Your loved ones care about you and want to help. And if you dont feel that you have anyone to turn to, its never too late to build new friendships and improve your support network.

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Find Joy In The Smallest Things

Depression causes your brain to function at a low frequency as it alters your brain chemistry. It particularly causes the hippocampus neurons to shrink. As a result, it inhibits optimal cognitive functioning, resulting in loss of memory and difficulty concentrating.

The shrunken hippocampus neurons also cause immense feelings of anxiety, hopelessness, sadness, and anxiety. In this state, the brain develops a self-perpetuating cycle of pessimism and focusing on the negative. It becomes difficult to control your moods and emotions. You also become more prone to stress and anxiety.

Endeavoring to find joy from moment to moment each day can drastically change your brain chemistry. It induces endorphins in the brain, causing a feel-good cycle. It also conditions the brain to be proactive about seeing the good in life.

At first, you may find it quite difficult to refocus your brain, but the more you do it, the easier it becomes. Focus on the small things and the most accessible feelings of joy.

For instance, the soft feel of your bedsheets on your body when you wake up or go to bed the bright sun rays penetrating through your blinds or curtains into the house the warmth of the sun on your skin the smell of the coffee as it brews or food as it cooks the sound of someones laughter the sound of your air conditioner, etc.

Be In Nature And With Animals

Nature has solutions to most of humanitys problems. We can get positivity in life by traveling, hiking, or even spending a day in a natural resort. Having a strong connection with trees, soil, and receiving fresh air can bring positive thoughts about life. Spending time with pets like cats, dogs or more, can help you to remove depression and bring happiness to your life.

These are some of the easy ways you can think positively when depressed. If you are in serious need of help, please consult doctors.

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Why Positive Thinking Isnt Helping Your Depression

Picture this: a group of kids is playing on a playground. One of the boys goes up for a layup, loses his footing, and ends up falling onto the concrete. His friends, also boys, are not likely to go over to him and ask him if hes alright for such a minor spill. Instead, they are likely to say, Come on, man. Shake it off. Youre OK. This is a very male-typical response and for the most part, it is effective in situations like this.

Now, fast forward 15 years. Instead of playing basketball, the same people are now juggling jobs, families, finances, and other life stuff. Instead of taking a minor spill on the court, the injury is internalmental. Its depression. Still wanting to help, his friends tell him, You got this, man. Things will get better. Look on the bright side. It could be worse. So, he tries to look on the bright side. He thinks of all he has in his life all that he has to be thankful for. Only, it doesnt work. The depression continues, and now shame sets in. Its a one-way trip into the fog and he is all alone.

Chances are, this story resonates with you in some way. Maybe you are struggling with depression, but as a man, you have decided that if you just keep a positive mindset, youll push through. Maybe you will. People have done it before, but if you dont, there may be a reason for that.

Can Positive Thinking Help With Depression

When people think about treating their depression, many will assume that they have to take antidepressant medications. But in reality, talk therapy or psychotherapy is an effective option for many people with depression.

Psychotherapy involves different types counselling conducted by a trained therapist. This type of therapy can be used alone for mild cases of depression, or used in combination with medications in more severe cases of depression.

Cognitive behavioural therapy

One of the most commonly used types of psychotherapy is called cognitive behavioural therapy . CBT involves working with a therapist to look at false thoughts that may have negative effects on your mood and behaviour. In people with depression, most will automatically think negatively about a given situation, and this can have a major effect on their mood.

Here’s an example that illustrates how negative thinking can affect a person’s mood:

• Two different people are going in to give a presentation in front of their boss and a client. The first person has positive thoughts of “I am going to do very well and this is going to be a great opportunity for me.” This person feels happy and excited. The second person has negative thoughts of “I know I am going to screw up and I am going to be fired because of how bad I am going to do.” This person feels sad and anxious.

We can see from this example that two different thoughts can have a major effect on the person’s mood.

Therapy

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Focus On Your Physical Well

In order to foster a healthy mindset, its important to also take care of your physical well-being. Yoga is a great activity to focus on relaxation and clearing your mind. During meditation classes, participants will learn breathing exercises that they can utilize in their own time.

Exercising, eating a healthy and well-balanced diet, and avoiding drugs and alcohol can also work to boost ones mood. Making better lifestyle choices can help to initiate positive thinking and lessen the symptoms of depression.

No one is alone in the fight against depression, even if negative thoughts can make one feel as if that is reality. Contact TMS Center of the Lehigh Valley, at 610-820- 0700, if you or a loved one suffers from depression and/or anxiety. TMS therapy might be the right option for you.

How To Think Positive When Everything Is Going Wrong

Trying to be positive when youre grieving or experiencing other serious distress can seem impossible. During these times, its important to take the pressure off of yourself to find the silver lining. Instead, channel that energy into getting support from others.

Positive thinking isnt about burying every negative thought or emotion you have or avoiding difficult feelings. The lowest points in our lives are often the ones that motivate us to move on and make positive changes.

When going through such a time, try to see yourself as if you were a good friend in need of comfort and sound advice. What would you say to her? Youd likely acknowledge her feelings and remind her she has every right to feel sad or angry in her situation, and then offer support with a gentle reminder that things will get better.

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What Are The Different Antidepressants And How Do They Work

• SSRI This category of drug includes fluoxetine , citalopram , and sertraline and targets serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps control mood, appetite, and sleep.
• SNRI SNRIs include drugs like duloxetine , desvenlafaxine , and venlafaxine , which block the reabsorption of both serotonin and another neurotransmitter, norepinephrine.
• NDRI This class of medications includes bupropion.
• TCA TCAs include such drugs as imipramine and nortriptyline . These drugs were among the earliest antidepressants to come on the market. These days, doctors generally only turn to them when treatment with SSRIs, SNRIs, and NDRIs has failed.
• MAOI MAOIs, including phenelzine and isocarboxazid , were the first antidepressants developed. Theyre rarely used today, in part because people who take them require careful monitoring to prevent negative interactions with certain foods and other medications.

All antidepressants can have side effects, but some may be more problematic than others. You may need to try several different medications, or a combination, guided by your doctor, before you find what works best for you.

Tip : Get A Daily Dose Of Sunlight

Sunlight can help boost serotonin levels and improve your mood. Whenever possible, get outside during daylight hours and expose yourself to the sun for at least 15 minutes a day. Remove sunglasses and use sunscreen as needed.

• Take a walk on your lunch break, have your coffee outside, enjoy an al fresco meal, or spend time gardening.
• Double up on the benefits of sunlight by exercising outside. Try hiking, walking in a local park, or playing golf or tennis with a friend.
• Increase the amount of natural light in your home and workplace by opening blinds and drapes and sitting near windows.
• If you live somewhere with little winter sunshine, try using a light therapy box.

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Analyze And Change Your Thoughts

The next important step is to analyze whether your thoughts are helpful or not and if it is making your thought process negative. Though several kinds of irrational and useless thoughts will continue to fill your mind, you will have to take time out every day to analyze it and do away with the negative ones. This is also known as filtering which is a process in which you filter out the bad and focus only on the good. This too is a great way, when you wonder how to think positive when depressed.

Sometimes when you are depressed, you set pre-conceived notions as to how you must act in a given situation. This often leads to negative thinking and you might be forced to do something which you did not wish to. You need to understand that if any action forces you to think or act negatively then you need to not do it and instead focus on things which are positive and of your liking. Try looking at the brighter side, without following your fixed beliefs or losing the battle before it begins. Decide to take a step in the positive direction, the path will follow on its own.

Do I Need Health Insurance To Receive This Service

The referral service is free of charge. If you have no insurance or are underinsured, we will refer you to your state office, which is responsible for state-funded treatment programs. In addition, we can often refer you to facilities that charge on a sliding fee scale or accept Medicare or Medicaid. If you have health insurance, you are encouraged to contact your insurer for a list of participating health care providers and facilities.

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Get Professional Help For The Depression

There has been an increase in proponents of self-treatment for depression. While it works for some people and in instances of mild depression, you may require professional help. A professional can help get better more efficiently.

Depression treatment is multidimensional and may involve different mental health specialists. In most cases, it involves psychotherapy to help you deal with negative thoughts, behaviors, perspectives, and feelings. You may also be put on drug therapy to help stabilize your brain chemistry and regulate your moods.

Treatment could also include working with a counselor or a social worker to help you make lifestyle changes that improve your symptoms of depression. Also, joining a support group may be beneficial. Some mental health professionals also recommend various alternative treatment methods to complement your treatment plan.

Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all cure for depression. What may have worked for someone else may not work for you. However, by working closely with a professional, they will be able to come up with a treatment plan suitable for you. And they can evaluate your response and adjust it accordingly. It may take some time to establish the right treatment plan, but you will get better eventually.

To Spread Positive Thoughts Share Your Gratitude With Others

You might send a gratitude letter or message to someone youve never properly thanked to take your appreciation practice to the next level. It doesnt matter what your letter is about.

Perhaps youd like to express gratitude to a buddy for always being there for you. Perhaps you want to express your gratitude to your love partner for a specific event, such as a date.

Stick the letter on their desk, car, or bag and include one to two things you admire about them. Alternatively, you may express appreciation on social media by posting brief nice comments to the individuals you appreciate the most.

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How To Change Negative Thinking

You may have heard in the past to just think positive to overcome your depression. While that statement was most likely said with pure intentions, it can be frustrating to hear.

Depression is not a choice and it can affect anyones daily life, regardless of whether one chooses to think positively or not. But while the diagnosis is a difficult, often impossible, battle to overcome without treatment, there are several steps a person can take by themselves to help lessen symptoms. And one of them is to work on combating negative thoughts.

Habitual negative thinking can lead to many problems, Simon Rego, PsyD said. First, given the connection between thoughts and emotions, it can serve to bring down or keep down your mood. Second, negative thoughts can influence the way you act and react, which can lead to a variety of problematic behaviors. This could include cutting back on activities that can boost your mood, like socializing and exercising, and increasing activities that may intensify your bad mood such as sleeping, eating, or drinking too much.

Were not telling you that by thinking positively, your depression will be cured, but rather by making a conscious effort to stop thinking negatively you can enhance and encourage the effects of other treatment methods. The techniques listed below can help lessen symptoms and set you on the right path to healing.

Be Optimistic Yet Be Pessimistic When Necessary

Positive thinking, of course, has several advantages for your mental health and well-being. However, being optimistic isnt always the greatest reaction. Negative ideas can also be beneficial.When we are unhappy or mourning, having bad thoughts and displaying negative emotions help us signal to others that we require assistance.

Our ideas might drive us to take action and make essential changes in our lives when we are furious. Negative emotions might have significant effects if we dismiss them without understanding what they are trying to tell us.So, if youre focusing on the negative, ask yourself if this unpleasant emotion is leading to action that will enhance your life. If thats the case, keep it. If not, try to concentrate on the good.

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