Combatting Depressive Feelings

As promised in last month’s article, Blessed AND Depressed, I’m back with 6 ways to combat depressive feelings:

1. Start a gratitude journal by writing down 3 things each day for which you are grateful. It’s all about perspective! If you want a more structured approach, visit ThePsychoeducationAcademy. Thinkific.com for a free GLAD exercise.

2. When negativity comes in, redirect your attention to the positives in your life. Look back at your gratitude journal for reminders. Take some deep breaths and picture the positives in your life or some other scene that makes you happy.

3. If you’re a person of faith, you can pray for positive thoughts, redirection or some other relief and tell the devil to get behind you.

4. Ensure that you’re physically doing what you can to fight depression. Make sure you’re getting the right number and type of calories, drinking plenty of water, exercising and getting adequate sleep.

5. Talk to someone about how you’re feeling. Maybe a different perspective or a more objective look at the situation can help you reframe things in a more positive–or at least less negative–way.

6. Get out of yourself by helping someone else, like going on a mission trip or volunteering at a soup kitchen, disabled veterans’ association, homeless shelter or other agency that helps people who are struggling. This can also serve as a reality check, reminding you of the good in your own life.

For more ideas, search “depression antidotes” on www.doctorbellingrodt.com. If you’re depression has you thinking you don’t want to be alive anymore, seek immediate medical attention by dialing 911 or dial 988 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Hotline 24/7/365.

DISCLAIMER: Material is for informational purposes and not intended to be a substitute for evaluation or treatment by a licensed professional. Material is copyrighted and may only be reproduced with written permission of Dr. Bellingrodt.

Submitted by Jennifer Bellingrodt, Psy.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist.

Submitted by Jennifer Bellingrodt, Psy.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist.