Fight Depression With Gratitude

Gratitude Helps Depression

Depression is the opposite of a state of gratitude � it is a feeling of despondency that can be caused by inactivity, sickness (your own or that of a loved one), any factor that sends the equilibrium of the mind into negative territory, a spouse or friend walking away from your life, a deteriorating economic state, unemployment or even hormones. In other words, depression is what elation is not.

Gratitude is the memory of the heart. ~Jean Baptiste Massieu, translated from French

Depression first strangulates and then, if not checked, goes on to universally obliterate positive thought. It sends the positive attitude process ever downward, and places the depressed person in a zombie-like stupor. A depressed person slows down at work, does not enjoy family life, ignores or avoids his friends and relations, becomes counter-productive and remains in a condition of perennial dissatisfaction. That was the mental angle � a depressed person is negatively affected on the physical front too because negative thinking depresses the immune system. Additionally, a depressed person suffers from fatigue and keeps falsely thinking that he is affected by some medical condition.

Depression has to be battled as quickly as possible. The first thing that a depressed man may do is to reach out for anti-depressant pills, which give a temporary relief from depression. However, depression usually stems out of a negative thought process and the best way to treat it is positive thinking. Yes, a depressed person needs to start thinking positively to ward off depression, and one of the greatest factors that can usher in positive thought is the feeling of gratitude.

Gratitude, or thankfulness, is an appreciation of a benefit received. Expressing gratitude makes one feel good and also tanks him up with positive vibes, and he begins to feel upbeat and full of encouraging energy. The body will be energized and actually healthier. The big question, however, is what to be grateful for and to whom to express our thanks.

Well, the answer to that question lies inside any one of us. If we take a look at our own lives, we will find innumerable instances that we can be grateful for. For instance:

We can thank the lord for giving us a good night's rest, for a great sunny day and for the birds chirping in our backyard. Thank life for not leaving you alone, high and dry! If we have friends to fall back on, we must thank them for just being there for us. If we have a good and caring spouse, we must thank him/her for being our partner for life.

These were just a few instances � and, you will find hundreds of reasons to feel thankful towards Nature and towards your family/friends once you start evaluating your life. So, go right ahead and do that, and when you discover the little things that add that sparkle to your existence, humbly express your gratitude to them.

The thankfullness you express will promote positive thinking, which in turn will drive away the darkness that depression has hammered into mind. Gratitude will drive away the fears planted by depression and sprinkle your mind with good cheer, and once you are cheerful, the world will be wonderful. Forever.

To Do: 1) Make a list of 10 things that you are thankful for "right now". 2) Put up a sign reminding you to make another list every day. 3) Add to your list during the day every time you start having any negative thought. 4) Save your lists in a scrapbook. 5) Read your scrapbook if you are having trouble remembering anything you are thankful for.

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