Over the last few weeks I have been discussing the differences between anxiety and depression.
Make sure you check out my YouTube playlist to help you to get some extra help if you are trying to beat depression and/or anxiety.
Control
Step one, is to stop seeing depression as something you can’t control.
You may get told to ‘snap out of it’ and stop being depressed, but depression is always trying to send a message – to help you gain power and control your own life.
Listen
Step two is to listen to your feelings. By listening to the message your brain is trying to tell you, it can help you to understand what is underneath the depression.
As I have discussed, depression comes up because you have not listened to the feelings trying to motivate you.
This, in turn, can leave you feeling trapped, as if nothing you do will make a difference – which can lead to depression.
Think back to a time before the depression started – what was it that you want to achieve from life?
Associated feelings
Then, what feelings were associated with starting that goal?
Anxiety? Fear? Frustration?
These are the feelings that depression is trying to protect you from.
When you have more control over your emotions, you have a better understanding of what the depression is hiding.
Step three is to think about what it would feel like to accomplish those goals. Say you got your dream job or started to feel fitter and healthier, how would you feel – proud, confident or successful?
Connect
Step four is to connect with those new, empowering feelings when thinking about achieving your goals.
The only difference between the depressed you and the you that you want to be, is that you used to connect more so to those bad emotions, that made you feel powerless and depressed.
Instead, if you connect to the more empowering feelings such as pride, success and confidence, you will feel empowered and more confident to achieve your dreams or goals.
START RIGHT NOW!
You read that correctly. The last step is to start right now.
Use the steps above to beat depression and realise that you have what it takes to do what you want to do. It’s time to begin the journey to a more confident, happier you.
