Want to be a happier person? More satisfied with your life? Able to focus on and enjoy the simpler pleasures?
You can teach yourself how to have a happy state of mind. Here are 9 habits to develop that can lead to a happier way of thinking.
1. Practice random acts of kindness. Doing something for another person can change your thinking from a focus on your own problems to making a difference in someone else’s life. It can also help put your life in a larger perspective as you recognize another‘s struggle.
2. Begin a gratitude journal. Begin a gratitude journal at the end of each day. As you think back over the day, focusing on the things that you are most grateful for in your life can change patterns of thinking from negative to positive.
3. Express gratitude. Talk out loud to others about your gratitude. Notice the results.
4. Nurture friendships and social connections. We “get by with a little help from our friends”. A great deal of research has shown the connection between connecting with others and lifting depression as well as overall good health. Find ways to be connected to others.
5. Identify negative thought patterns and change them as soon as you notice that they are there. Don’t let negative patterns of thinking take root and grow weeds. Stop them as soon as you notice that they are present. Find a replacement thought and then get busy and do something differently.
6. Learn to live in the present. You cannot change yesterday. You cannot truly predict tomorrow. Don’t lose the joys of today. Most problems have a way of working themselves out one way or another.
7. Treat yourself to simple pleasures. You deserve it. Pick some flowers and put them in a vase. Take a nap. Read a “fluff” book.
8. Take care of your physical health. Eat well, get enough sleep, exercise, pay attention to alcohol, caffeine and sugar consumption.
Showing posts with label depression. Show all posts
Showing posts with label depression. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Do You Wonder If Someone You Love Depressed?
Is Someone You Love Depressed?
Living with someone who is depressed can look and sound very differently than what you would normally expect of a person suffering from depression. For some it may have more the appearance of anger and irritability. For others, it may seem like laziness or irresponsibility. While for others it may seem like a deep sadness with a lot of tears and sad, unhappy and negative talk.
Here are some questions for you to consider when thinking about someone you love who does not seem to be acting in ways that are healthy and positive.
* Has there been a change in sleep habits? Does your loved one sleep a lot more or a lot less than in the past?
* Has there been a marked change in his or her eating habits, eating a lot more and gaining weight or eating a lot less and losing weight?
* Does your loved one seem to be a lot more unhappy and negative and have difficulty recognizing the good things in life?
* Does he or she seem to have a lot of trouble with making decisions?
* Is your loved one more forgetful and seem to have difficulty concentrating?
* Do you notice frequent irritability or an underlying anger?
If you answer “yes” to several of these questions, the answer may be that your loved one is suffering from depression.
Some beginning things for you to consider as a way to be helpful are:
* Educate yourself about depression. Learning more about it may help you find ways to talk with the person you love about your concerns.
* Talk with them and acknowledge the positive things about him/her and your life together. Know that it may be hard to hear positive talk. You do not want to come off as “fake” so you will want to keep comments small, specific and behavioral like “Thanks for getting the children today.” “That color really looks nice on you.” “I appreciate your ideas about this and will absolutely use them.”
* Recognize that depression is not something one chooses and can readily change. It is not about being lazy or irresponsible and a “cure” does not happen overnight. Some live with sad or down times off and on throughout their life and will often struggle with and look for ways to cope with it effectively.
* Remind your loved one of things that they have done in the past to feel better and get through tough times. It may be that these same things will work once more.
* Take care of yourself to make sure that you, and your children, do not “catch” the depression. The “blues” and negativity can be contagious so you want to find ways to immunize yourself and prevent its spread.
* If your loved one will not talk with a therapist or the doctor, consider going yourself.
Do you have other ideas about what has been helpful for you? We welcome your comments and feedback.
Living with someone who is depressed can look and sound very differently than what you would normally expect of a person suffering from depression. For some it may have more the appearance of anger and irritability. For others, it may seem like laziness or irresponsibility. While for others it may seem like a deep sadness with a lot of tears and sad, unhappy and negative talk.
Here are some questions for you to consider when thinking about someone you love who does not seem to be acting in ways that are healthy and positive.
* Has there been a change in sleep habits? Does your loved one sleep a lot more or a lot less than in the past?
* Has there been a marked change in his or her eating habits, eating a lot more and gaining weight or eating a lot less and losing weight?
* Does your loved one seem to be a lot more unhappy and negative and have difficulty recognizing the good things in life?
* Does he or she seem to have a lot of trouble with making decisions?
* Is your loved one more forgetful and seem to have difficulty concentrating?
* Do you notice frequent irritability or an underlying anger?
If you answer “yes” to several of these questions, the answer may be that your loved one is suffering from depression.
Some beginning things for you to consider as a way to be helpful are:
* Educate yourself about depression. Learning more about it may help you find ways to talk with the person you love about your concerns.
* Talk with them and acknowledge the positive things about him/her and your life together. Know that it may be hard to hear positive talk. You do not want to come off as “fake” so you will want to keep comments small, specific and behavioral like “Thanks for getting the children today.” “That color really looks nice on you.” “I appreciate your ideas about this and will absolutely use them.”
* Recognize that depression is not something one chooses and can readily change. It is not about being lazy or irresponsible and a “cure” does not happen overnight. Some live with sad or down times off and on throughout their life and will often struggle with and look for ways to cope with it effectively.
* Remind your loved one of things that they have done in the past to feel better and get through tough times. It may be that these same things will work once more.
* Take care of yourself to make sure that you, and your children, do not “catch” the depression. The “blues” and negativity can be contagious so you want to find ways to immunize yourself and prevent its spread.
* If your loved one will not talk with a therapist or the doctor, consider going yourself.
Do you have other ideas about what has been helpful for you? We welcome your comments and feedback.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)