Depression doesn't have to last forever

Depression is an emotion that is easily felt but not so easily broken. Why? Because it becomes more of a habit than anything else.

You get into a habit of being sad or lonely by easily going into that state of mind.

When really it’s a pattern you’ve followed for so long that it just feels normal and comfortable.

Normal and comfortable? Yes normal and comfortable. Because when you try to do something other than feel lonely or sorry for yourself, you become uncomfortable so you immediately stop what you’re doing and go back to the feelings that are comforting for you.

It’s because you’ve followed this pattern for so long that it’s just become a part of who you are. You may not even like it but it's a normal feeling for you.

In addition, if you'll notice depression is more of a physical motion then it is anything else, right?

If I asked you what it looks like to be sad, unhappy or lonely you could tell me in a matter of seconds. Anyone could. People who aren’t’ even depressed knows what it looks like.

But just in case you can’t picture it, let me help you.

- You hold your head down.

- Your shoulders are slumped forward.

- Your face is tense and not smiling.

- Your breathing is shallow.

These are all physical signs of unhappiness. So instead of trying to think yourself into feeling better, you can feel yourself into feeling better.

Follow me for a moment and see if it doesn’t make you feel even slightly better.

- Sit up straight in your chair.

- Roll your shoulders back.

- Open up your chest.

- Put your head in an upright position.

- Put a smile on your face.

- Breathe deeply from your diaphragm.

Just putting your body in this position will help you feel better. Your body posture or body language says a lot about what you’re feeling on the inside.

So instead of thinking yourself into a better mood, move yourself into a better mood without all that trying to think happy thoughts stuff.

If you notice telling yourself “I’m happy, I’m happy, I’m happy” when you’re not does nothing to change the way you feel. So move your body in ways that you haven’t in a long time to get your energy flowing again.

Now here's a standing exercise you can do to get your body moving again.

- Hold your center by pulling your bellybutton into your spine and stand in a sturdy position.

- Sway your body from side to side to get blood flowing smoothly throughout your body.

- Roll your shoulders in a circle – up, back and down.

- Tilt your head from side to side to loosen up your neck muscles.

- Smile.

- Put your hands in the air and jump up and down. Seriously. Do it now!

Do you notice how much more alive you feel? How much more energy your body has? Do you see how easy it is to get out of your head when you’re in a more energized state?

This is how you break the habit of feeling unhappy. By breaking the habit of being in a state of mind with low energy and unhappy thoughts.

I know that thoughts play a huge role in depression but if you can get yourself to use your body as a way of feeling more alive and energetic then you can break those negative thought patterns that try to keep you down.

Just like holding your body in a slumped over position makes you feel crappy; repeating the same old negative thoughts over and over again make you feel crappy too.

If you want to overcome depression

you'll need to get rid of those negative thoughts. Negative thoughts about yourself that just aren't true. I don't care how long you've been repeating the following statements, you must do whatever it takes to get rid of them.

- I’m not worthy of love.

- I’ll never be enough.

- I hate happy people.

- I wish I was someone else.

- Everyone is out to get me.

- Why do I even try?

- If I didn't have bad luck, I'd have no luck at all.

Notice how these are feelings more than they are thoughts. Sure you think these thoughts but the place you notice them most is in the body as a feeling.

If you can just get yourself to start moving more and holding your body in new and different ways you’ll be able to lessen or eliminate your feelings of unhappiness.

Depression is not just a thought, it’s a feeling, and I believe that with my entire body.

Related link that is worth checking out -

Women and Depression




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