According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 264 million people suffer from depression worldwide. Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses in the United States. Depression can look very different depending on the person, with over 50 symptoms associated with depression. You may not even realize depression could be affecting you, so it’s important to be aware of your thoughts and how they influence your behavior. By challenging and redirecting any negative thoughts you have, you can ease the symptoms of depression and find a piece of the solution to overcoming your depression.
Stop Focusing So Much On “Me”
Recent studies have found that focusing too much on yourself feeds depression. Don’t confuse this with self-awareness, which itself is a good thing. However, when self-awareness becomes excessive, we tend to hyper-fixate on our problems, flaws, or negative past experiences, turning self-awareness into egoistic, self-indulgent behavior.
We can change this behavior by being cautious not to overthink about ourselves or what others think about us and cultivate a forgiving mindset towards ourselves since we all make mistakes. Shifting our perspective away from ourselves to the external world can help ease the symptoms of depression.
Don’t Live In The Past —The Present is NOW
As the saying from notable Daoist philosopher Lao Tzu goes, “If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present.” Ruminating on the past is linked to increased feelings of depression, guilt, and self-hatred, while devoting too much mental energy to the future creates worry and anxiety. The sweet spot is in the middle, where you can be present and only focus on the current moment, which is the only time you can affect change. To help you not feel bound by the past, take the time to make peace with past negative experiences, offering forgiveness and compassion to yourself and others involved.
Our thoughts control our emotions. Being mindful of how often your thinking relates to yourself and the past and learning to redirect these thoughts to the present moment can help ease your symptoms of depression. If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health concerns, contact Avalon Malibu. Avalon is a world-renowned, licensed mental health treatment and addiction rehab center in Southern California. We provide the best evidence-based mental health therapies and well-rounded support, so our clients can find lasting success in their recovery. For more information, contact us at (844) 857-5992.
