When you have depression, you only tend to focus on the negative aspects of life that you overlook the good that come. By being aware of all of the good things, places, and people, you will start to appreciate your life so much more. Spend everyday showing gratitude for what you have in order to help fight off depression.
By showing gratitude everyday, you will change your thought patterns from negative to positive which will help release feel good chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin. One way to show gratitude is to write a letter to someone in your life that you have not thanked properly. Maybe this letter could be to your parents for always staying up late to help you with your homework or it can be to the one who cleans your house for doing a job that would be too much for you.
Create a gratitude journal to write all of the things that went well this week and why they occurred. This will cause you focus only on good things that happen. When you count them up, you will realize that your life is not as bad as you originally thought. Think of the times that you have shown gratitude for someone and the times that you have received gratitude from others. It can be small things like someone helping you put the groceries away or when you compliment someone’s new haircut. You can also write about what made you laugh this week as laughter is the best medicine when you are feeling down. You might even laugh as you write these moments down just thinking of them.
You should also make it a goal for every week to contact at least three people in your life whether you see these people all the time or not often. Speak to them on the phone instead of texting. You should also see about meeting more people as well even if it is just for a cup of coffee. Always let that person know in some way how grateful you are that they are in your life. Think about if any of the negative events that have happened to you this week had any positive consequences. Like if a friend cancelled plans with you, this gave you the opportunity to spend time with your sibling at home. Be thankful for everyday you are alive to fight depression.
Located in downtown Midland, The Springboard Center’s mission is to offer programs and services to treat alcohol and drug addiction treatment using an evidence based curriculum, 12 step programs, diet, nutrition, exercise, emotional, mental and spiritual development for a long recovery. For more information, please call us at 432-620-0255 as we are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
