How do you stay positive?

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I’ve been depressed lately. One thing that helps is thinking about the things I’m grateful for and imagining what it would be like not to have them.

Does anyone have any thoughts or tips on how to help ease the experience of depression?

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Maybe making a list of things you like doing and that makes you happy can help, then just do them every day :slightly_smiling_face:

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Smiling helps. Not a big smile. Thinking of stuff that puts a smile on your face when you realize youre not can get you in positive habits. Find funny videos or memes or funny stories and feel good stories if you have trouble thinking of anything.

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I read cards that I’ve written positive affirmations on. I always feel more positive after exercising. Taking my dog to the dog park cheers me up. Ironically, cleaning makes me feel more positive, as does a hot shower. I guess for me it’s really just day to day stuff that keeps me moving forward and positive but being depressed makes that stuff way harder to do…

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I find looking for new music, or shaking up what I’m listening to helps me stay upbeat

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Breathing helps and focusing on what is important, good memories! Having less time on your hands

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I reason why am I depressed. Is there a legitimate reason. If there is a legitimate reason I will work on dealing with the issues. If there is really no reason to be depressed I will reason it out. What am I feeling? Sadnesses, stress, shame, guilt, injustice, lack of control, fear. I keep trying to find out and express what I am feeling. Then I discuss these feelings with a professional who I talk to weekly.

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Hmm…

Good question.

The other day I was in the dumps thinking, “dang I hate myself”

But at the same time I was able to think “but I love my life and everyone in it”

So, idk…

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I try to be grateful for everything in my life. Sometimes ill read up on harder ways of life and then appreciate what I have, gives me a little perspective. Depression likes to gravitate towards anything and only look at the negative.
Sometimes ill just say tomorrow is a new day and start fresh.

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Coffee. Music. Walking. The Forum. Family. And Wellbutrin

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I write down what I am feeling and kind of mood I am in. Thoughts I am having. And wait. Lows of depression tend to last for sometimes for an hour or two. Sometimes for a day or two.

Then try to savor peaceful euthymia that follows. Time takes me out of lows but sadly takes me back to lows as well. There are few triggers I try to avoid. Being overstimulated in social situations sets off depressive lows. Can’t always avoid these things.

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Thanks everyone. All of this is so helpful. :heart:

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Be glad you don’t have any other issues such as pain or discomfort.
I recommend the feeling good handbook by dr burns

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happiness is tied to hope…build hope in small steps…a bouquet of flowers you like to look at…a walk in a park…little things…when hope builds…happiness follows…sorry you’re depressed. hope you get to feeling better.

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I think it’s human nature to look for danger. That’s good when there’s a real threat to survival, but you can’t constantly be in that state even when the real threat is over.

So instead of looking for danger, we have to retrain our brains to look for good things. It really becomes a way of life to look for the positive. I have to look for the positive over and over and over until it becomes a habit. It takes time and practice.

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