Five Steps to Coping with Depression

Depression can rear its ugly head in many forms. It can be disguised as a severe sadness, a feeling of hopelessness and great despair. To be de-pressed, is to be de-flatted, both emotionally and at times physically. Emotions during this time can have a great impact on the physicality and mental state of a person. There are different stages of depression and in some cases when it is so severe, medications and the help of a medical professional is necessary to cope. In general, depression can be caused by a singular event or may be an accumulation of experiences, feelings and emotions felt at a particular time in one’s life.

Here are five step to help cope with depression:

1)      Listen to yourself: What is your internal dialogue? We all have thoughts that turn into words and actions. Are you being kind to yourself? Are you taking care of yourself? If you find that your self-talk is mostly negative whether it is about you or others, change it to positive self-talk, which will affect how you feel and in turn affect your actions. Remember the law attraction. Ask, believe and receive.

 

2)      Examine your life: What are you thankful for? What would you not want to live without? What would you like for the future? What do you think you’re missing? According to the law of attraction, the positive mind is programmed to acknowledge positivity in people, places, things and experiences.

3)      Have an Outlet: It is important to have a way to express yourself self during this time. Who can you talk to that you trust and maybe can relate? A therapist? A spouse? A sibling? A parent? A friend? Online forms? Writing? Reading? Art? Taking Medication? Express yourself in any way to feel connected to yourself during this time. Depression can be a time where detachment from your life is greatly felt so its ever more important to feel connected to your reality.

 

4)      Accept your feelings: Give yourself permission to feel your current emotions. Note down your negative feelings and experiences that you are depressed about and add a blessing you have received in disguise from it. According to the law of polarity, there is no negative without a positive. So for every negative you feel, think of a positive that has come from it.

 

5)      Be honest with yourself:  Depression is an internal mental illness that will soon show on the physical self if not treated at the root. Clinical medication is available to help during  stages of depression, however, the cycles of grief should be acknowledged and dealt with or it will creep back into your state of being if not resolved. As yourself: How do you hope to change your future?

Depression has affected young children and adults. It is a serious mental health issue that is experienced by many people around the world. Medications may help in the beginning however it is the root cause that needs to be addressed. Giving yourself time and  access to resources is key to becoming empowered and motivated to continue living to your fullest potential.