Breaking the Pattern of Depression

Depression plagues thousands upon thousands of people every day. The causes of depression vary and breaking the pattern of depression can be difficult, but is possible. Some people who are stuck in a cycle of depression may feel trapped. This article will look at the concept of learned helplessness and how uncovering these out of control feelings can help someone who is depressed get back on the road to recovery.

People who are depressed usually experience an overwhelming feeling that they have no control over their life or the circumstances therein. They often feel as though no matter what they do, it won’t be right, or won’t “fix” things.

This out of control feeling produces what is called learned helplessness. Depressed people believe that no matter what they do, they’ll always get the same end result, so they give up easily, never even trying to change their situation.

Learned helplessness is a pattern of behavior that has been conducted by the depressed person over an amount of time. Someone who is depressed and feels like they have no control over their own life often resorts to this learned helplessness.

One way to break this pattern of feeling helpless is to work on internal control. When a depressed person feels loss of control on what’s going on in their life, they have to learn how to instead turn inward.

Internal control enables that person to remain calm and in control, regardless of the external circumstances. Then, when they can remain in control internally and be patient, they eventually figure out alternatives to the situation.

Certain patterns of behavior, like learned helplessness, can be changed. Therapists can often help depressed people learn how to retrain their brain to stop this helpless thought process. Tiny steps like these help those who are depressed learn to live a life free of depression, over a period of time.

November 21, 2007 | Filed Under Depression | Leave a Comment

Affirmations for Self-Esteem

If you suffer from low self-esteem, then you know how difficult it is to function every day without hearing that negative inner voice. Affirmations can help raise your self-esteem.

When you are unable to believe in yourself, you hear the same negative thoughts over and over. If you were a victim of emotional/verbal abuse, then you probably hear those same harsh words being played again and again inside your mind.

The truth that many people haven’t discovered is that these negative words can be rewritten. Wouldn’t you rather rewrite your inner script, than listen to the negative talk the rest of your life?

Positive affirmations to improve your self-esteem should include “I am…” statements. These positive statements, about your potential and who you are, serve to exponentially increase your self-esteem over time.

To get you started, use these positive affirmations to help improve your self-esteem:

I am a good person.
I am a loving and generous person.
I can let go of my fear of loving.
I am worthy of love.
I will open myself to new relationships each day.
I am a courageous person.
I am capable of success in anything I put my mind to doing.
I can set goals and achieve them.

As you can see, positive affirmations are simple statements. These statements serve as a springing board to jump start your self-esteem in a more positive direction.

November 20, 2007 | Filed Under Self-Esteem, Self-improvement | 1 Comment

7 Stress Triggers and How to Stop Them in Their Tracks

If you find yourself constantly feeling stress on every level, you can learn how to stop that stress dead in its tracks. Here are seven of the most common stress triggers and how to stop them before they get the best of you.

Negative people. People with a negative attitude can make you feel stressed just by being around them. Pick and choose your friends and acquaintances more wisely from now on. Stay away from those who seem to stay on a negative kick all the time.
Being late all the time. Do you find it difficult to get anywhere on time? The stress of arriving late is not good for you. Allow yourself an extra 20 minutes next time.
Extreme work load. If you’re always taking on more and more work, it’s no wonder you are stressed out all the time. First, stop piling more work on top of what you already have. If possible, start delegating tasks to others. The quicker you can eliminate your exhaustive work load, the sooner you’ll eliminate all that stress.
Low self-esteem. If you suffer from poor self esteem, you are much more likely to berate yourself and unreasonably expect more from yourself. Work on raising your self-esteem and you’re likely to notice an immediate lightening of your stress level.
Unhappy with your life. Do you constantly struggle with the idea that your life is not what you thought it would be? Unhappiness triggers stressful feelings. Find ways to accept your life and everything in it. Discover joy in the little things.
Feelings out of control. This trigger is explosive for some people. When you feel like you’re not in control of yourself or surrounding circumstances, you tend to feel a great amount of pressure and stress. Learn how to control your mind.
Violent arguments. Volatile relationships are breeding grounds for tremendous stress. If you are in such a relationship and are constantly engaged in fights, do everything you can to get away from that situation.

November 19, 2007 | Filed Under Relaxation, Stress Relief | Leave a Comment

5 Simple Things You Should Do For Yourself Every Day

Do you take time to pamper yourself every day? If not, why? You are the most important person in your life. Here are five simple things you should for yourself every single day:

Smile. You’ve probably heard it said a million times, but I’ll say it again. It takes less facial muscles to smile than it does to frown.
Take a 10-minute break. If you’re like me, then you probably work hard all day long and rarely think about stopping for a break. Taking a short, 10-minute break to recharge your batteries can help tremendously.
Read a book. One of the best ways to stimulate your mind is to read a book. Some of my favorite books lately are self-help and inspirational non-fiction books. Books like the Chicken Soup For The Soul series are great because you can grab one, read a section quickly, then put it down and come back for more later.
Go for a walk. If you work indoors, you probably don’t get out for fresh air much, do you? Go for a brisk walk on your lunch break, or in the evening when your work is done. Not only is it great to clear your head, but walking usually stimulates fresh ideas as well.
Break out of your routine. Are you accustomed to following the same routine or pattern on a daily basis? Why not try something new. Sometimes just doing something out of the ordinary can help make you feel 100% better.