RISE ABOVE DEPRESSION (5 OF 5)
The 5th self-empowering way to lift your mood naturally without drugs or therapy
To conclude this five part series aimed at helping you get a leg up on depression or any low mood state, I bring you the crowning jewel of practices: the absolute most game-changing thing you can do to bring about instant, deep, and lasting change. I invite you to turn your attention inward and begin to hone your thoughts to reflect the way you really want your mood, your life, and the world to be. People, it’s time to….
#5 - Open to a New Mindset
Honestly, changing your mindset can be the most important thing that you do. Because your thoughts and emotions determine how your physical body functions and reacts.
When you hold positive thoughts and feel high-frequency emotions like love and joy, all of your bodily systems work better. Your cells metabolize more efficiently, your liver and lymph clean your blood effectively, your tissues regenerate optimally, nutrients are delivered to your organs plentifully, and biochemicals are made and used correctly.
Three critical components of changing your mindset are:
Reverse victimhood
Are you a victim of your circumstances or could there be something there for you to learn, grow from, or expand your perspective by? Open to the mindset that everything happens for a reason. Ask yourself “What is in this situation FOR me? How could what is going on be happening FOR me instead of TO me?
Focused creation
Keep your thoughts focused on what you want, not on what you don’t want. What we put our attention on expands into more of that thing. If you think about your problems and what is wrong, you will get more of the same. Whereas if you reframe your complaints and think about what you are actually hoping for, then you will attract more of those good things.
Power of words
The words you speak and the thoughts that you “speak” inside your head convey your intentions into reality. Pay attention to the words you use and choose different ones if they carry a negative charge or paint a gloomy picture. This includes the words you use to talk to or about yourself (even in your head)!
Changing your thoughts is a process that gets easier and becomes more automatic the more you practice it. First you have to know what you are currently thinking though!
Begin by being present to the here and now. Start to guide your attention away from dwelling on past experiences or future worries and more to the present moment.
Then become aware of the monologue of your mind. Listen objectively to what you say to others. What language do you use? Tune into the thoughts in your head as though you are an observer. Resist judging yourself. Just be curious. Find out what’s going on in there.
Finally, when you spot some words or thoughts that don’t really serve you or don’t make you feel good, replace them with something that does. Your thoughts are under your control and you have choice. It may just take some practice to hear what’s currently going on and to overcome the awkwardness of finding a more empowering substitute for certain expressions.
A couple to get you started:
Change “should” to “could”.
Change “have to” to “want to”.
Try “sometimes” instead of “always”.
Intentionally modifying your words, thoughts, focus, perspective, and mindset can be a gamechanger in creating a more positive mood. It is likely that you will feel less judgmental, more creative, more expansive, less critical, more responsible for yourself, more optimistic, and have more energy.
IN CONCLUSION
There is definitely a path forward for you to rise above and move beyond your feelings of depression. The great news is that these are things that you can do yourself for very little money or time expenditure. You can get started right away and you can take these tools with you anywhere, any time.
Did you know that just reading about positive actions and envisioning yourself doing them starts the process of change within your brain? So by virtue of having read each of these “Rise Above Depression” posts and by considering acting on the suggestions, you have already begun your healing journey.
If being conscious about your diet, movement, gratitude, thought processes, and time in nature helps you feel even 10% better and more engaged in your life, imagine what that shift might improve for you: Better quality of work. More energy for daily activities. More connection in relationships. A healthier body. More creative ideas. More fun with your kids.
But honestly you are much more likely to experience more than a 10% gain. Imagine feeling 50% better. 80%... 100%! The greater your commitment to yourself to try these suggestions out, the greater your chance of effecting massive change within yourself will be. And the longer you implement the suggestions, the more second-nature they will become until they are almost effortless.
I know you have it in you! If you weren’t wanting something different for yourself, you wouldn’t be reading this right now. It is apparent that you believe in yourself and believe that you can have the wonderful life that you deserve.
I believe that too. There is no shortage of possibilities and blessings in this world. There is plenty available for everyone. It’s up to you to claim it for yourself.
Now get out there and begin your transformation!
In case you missed any of the series, here they all are again.
Be well and healthy and happy and free!