Have you ever said to yourself, a friend, or a loved one, “My life is great. I have nothing to complain about, but I just feel so sad!” Everyone experiences feelings of depression, anxiety, and sadness once in a while. Although most people can pinpoint the cause of their blues, such as experiencing hard times, needing more money, receiving bad news, living with rainy weather, or even having hormonal changes, some people feel sad or depressed without really knowing why.
Awhile back, I had lunch with a friend and when I started listening to the negative stories I was telling her about the current state of my life, I had an epiphany: I was stuck in a sad cycle that was creating a steady stream of negative thoughts in my mind!
When feeling sad leads to day after day of feeling blue, it’s time to take self-help action before greater anxiety or full-blown depression sets in. Here is a depression self-help plan for breaking your sad cycle in just three days.
Day 1
One Day 1, decide that, instead of being sad, you are going to be wealthy! In a small notebook, write down a list of the many ways that wealth touches your life. Here are some examples to get you started:
- The money in your bank account
- Your beautiful family
- Your lovely home
- Your generous friends
Throughout the day, every time a negative thought creeps into your mind, stop what you are doing and read through your wealthy list. By the end of Day 1, your veil of sadness should begin to lift.
Day 2
On Day 2, decide that, instead of being sad, you are going to be wealthy and grateful! In your notebook, write down a list of the many things that you’re grateful for.
Just like Day 1, every time a negative thought creeps into your mind, stop what you’re was doing and read through your wealthy and grateful lists. By the end of Day 2, you might begin to realize that you’re no longer wallowing in sadness. In fact, you might even feel a bit hopeful about your future again.
Day 3
On Day 3, decide that, instead of letting sadness creep back into your life, you will focus on sharing joy with everyone you come in contact with. In addition to reviewing your wealthy and grateful lists, look for ways to spread joy to others. Here are some possibilities:
- Wave to the neighbor getting her morning paper and to the kids waiting at the bus stop by your house
- Hold the door for an elderly woman at the post office or the bank
- Smile randomly at strangers (they will probably smile back!)
- Give your co-worker a sincere compliment
- Answer the phone with, “Good morning!” instead of simply, “Hello.”
- When standing in line for coffee, prepay for the person behind you
By the end of Day 3, there’s a good chance that you will feel lighter in your body, as if the weight of the world was no longer sitting on top of your shoulders. You might instinctively eat a bit healthier because the craving for comfort food has subsided.
Choosing a positive apsect of your life to focus on and looking for new ways to uplift others is a fantastic depression self-help technique. Sure, the bills keep coming in and the housework still needs to be done, but worrying about them only makes you feel sad. Wouldn’t you rather feel wealthy, blessed, abundant, and grateful?
Depression and anxiety are serious illnesses that should be treated by your doctor. But if you’re feeling blue, try my 3-Day plan for breaking the sad cycle – before depression sets in!
Need some fast and easy inspiration? Check out these inspirational “shorts”.
Similar Posts:
- Are You Wishing Your Life Away?
- Bernie Siegel, MD on Having a Near-Life Experience
- Count Your Blessings Instead of Your Gray Hairs
{ 1 trackback }
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I have been feeling pretty depressed and too much anxiety for along time, as I have a recovering alcoholic for a boyfriend. I feel he is still taking some kind of drug or something, it hasn’t been but a short time with his sobriety. I raise two children and attend college full time and have a pretty busy life, but worry and scared daily on what my boyfriend is doing. Is he destroying us, lying to me? These thoughts I have all the time, I wonder how I cope day to day. I have a positive personality, work hard and love myself, my kids, and working on my career, seeking my Bachelor’s degree. My boyfriend makes me feel like I’m causing our arguements, says I am acting crazy and so on. I feel so down and sad too often. Then I read this self help webpage and it made me feel like a person and that I’m not alone and I will work on me from now on, THANK YOU.
I’m glad you found our site, Colleen, and that it gives you some comfort when life becomes overwhelming. It certainly sounds like you are taking some positive steps in your life. Don’t forget to take time for yourself (even if it’s just 5 minutes here and there) and to listen to your inner voice of wisdom. And know that you’re never truly alone. Blessings to you.