Anxiety and depression are two of the most common problems in the world today. Anyone can feel anxious or depressed, depending on the circumstances in his/her life. A single negative event can cause you to feel more anxious or depressed. But there's good news! Many mild to moderate cases can be improved or prevented if you take a few easy steps to help yourself. These tools can help you to be happy, too. It's a matter of learning to think in more strategic and optimistic ways.
The Power of Optimism
Why should anyone want to be more optimistic? Optimism enhances self-confidence and instills a sense of self-control while helping us to resist depression. Optimists tackle adversity more effectively than pessimists, and see themselves in a position of power, whereas pessimists see themselves as powerless, or helpless victims. Study after study reveals the power of optimistic thinking to solve problems and help people to be stronger and more resilient.
And, of course, optimism is linked to achieving greater success!
Step #1: Assess Your Thinking Habits
A simple but effective technique to decrease depression and overcome anxiety is to take inventory of the way you think... take a look at your usual thought patterns and determine where you can make a few improvements.
Do you approach problems with a positive attitude...or... do you think/expect the worst? Be as honest as you can. If you realize there's room for improvement, you're in the driver's seat, and you're on the path to be happy and enjoy life more!
For example, if you are quick to assume the worst, why not work on assuming the best? Write yourself a plan of improvement, taking care to find ways to think more positively. It'll take time to form new thinking habits, but it will be worth it!
Step #2: Use your imagination
Try to think optimistic thoughts the next time you face a crisis or dilemma. Tell yourself the situation you're in can have a desirable outcome. Find the possible good and imagine a positive outcome. Some people automatically think failure-oriented thoughts when something goes wrong, and use their imagination to see the worst possible things happening... self-fulfilling prophecy!
The more you IMAGINE the outcome you want, the better you will feel. And the less depressed and anxious you'll feel. Instead of giving in to fear and anxiety about a situation, visualize the possibilities you want. In other words, creatively seek to find the silver lining in the cloud. This kind of therapeutic thinking will decrease depression.
Remember to brush away any pessimistic thoughts and keep seeing the possible positive outcomes. Refuse to see mental movies of the worst outcomes, and play movies of all the good possibilities. These happiness techniques may seem simple, but they are potent. You'll quickly find negative events and situations will make you less anxious and depressed.
Plus, the more you use your active imagination the younger and more alive you'll feel.
Step #3: Believe.
Place your faith in the possibilities for good outcomes you are imagining. You can work things out! You can be happy! But you've got to believe it. The word believe is a verb, so it's something you do. Activate your dormant faith by thinking and behaving affirmatively.
If you believe a setback can't be overcome, or that you'll get more depressed by trying, you'll avoid the problem altogether. Not doing anything about the problem makes the problem worse, which reinforces the belief that you will suffer failure in the situation. The pessimist feels it's hopeless to try and solve the problem or change it in a significant way, and hence he feels hopeless...
... and more depressed.
Yes, a sense of hopelessness fuels depression. So, what do optimists do differently? They employ natural happiness skills based on optimism. Strong optimists rarely allow a situation to make them depressed because of the healthy way they think about the problem.
An optimistic thinker has a very positive way of attributing meaning to events or situations, or a positive "attributional style."
By believing in a desirable outcome, and by being more optimistic, you'll feel you have the power to deal with the problem. You'll see it in a more positive light, and frame it up in your mind in a more positive way, and your optimism will give you increased energy. That's why optimists enjoy life more and experience greater health, wealth and happiness than pessimists!
Optimism is a skill, or set of skills, that empowers an individual to do great things in life. Anyone can learn to be more optimistic and reap the many rewards!
Did you know... studies show optimists are more creative than others? And being more creative enables them to find creative solutions to tricky problems. Creative thinking is a happiness technique because it gives you a better handle on how you can overcome.
Plus, assuming the best gives you a sense of power and control over the problems in your life. By seeing a situation in the best possible light, you maintain your hopefulness and sense of equilibrium better than a pessimist who immediately falls apart when something goes wrong. Optimists approach a tough challenge with a smile, not with a pessimistic frown.
In Sum
A powerful step you can take to decrease anxiety and depression is to become a more optimistic thinker. It will aid you in overcoming anxiety. And to be happy, activate your imagination... believe in the possible good like you never have before. Be patient as you practice being more optimistic. Soon you'll break the chains of negative thought patterns that keep you feeling blue. And you may be able to decrease depression without resorting to expensive drug treatment. And, if you are taking anti-depressants, these thinking skills will help you to maximize your results. If you need more help, schedule an appointment with a licensed therapist who is skilled at treating depression and anxiety.
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