REDUCING DEPRESSION CAUSES WITH HEALTHY LIVING HABITS - and also ACT strategies (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy)
Here are ideas I shared recently for a thread needing a reply. I thought I'd post my own thread on the topic.
Just my thoughts, not recommendations.
One thing I think is key to not being depressed is...
Not dwelling in the mind so much... instead...
Notice when doing it... then realize it might be causing the problem...
probably because of... the stress of not being connected with reality.... so
Then do something simple... and satisfying... in real life instead...
and focus on engaging with the present moment... with both the mind and the body.
Another thing I think is key to not being depressed is...
having lots of physical activities to do... I think it's been proven to be very effective. Exercise is good medicine... As good or better than medication.
Another thing I think is key to not being depressed is...
learning to quiet the mind....
One way is to.... learn Tai Chi stretching and breathing as explained here...
or here (the 20 second tutorial version)
Some other things I think are key to not being depressed are...
having good health habits and well-being habits, like...
good eating habits... and a balanced daily diet of key nutrients,
good sleep habits, consistent sleep times, 7-8 hours daily, all week,
good posture and breathing habits (they are related),
good activity habits (to not be idle for long, getting invigorating fun activity in often),
good social habits (reaching out to people regularly to feel connected),
good mental habits (being mindful or aware of one's thoughts and emotions but not confusing them as one's self, also accepting one's situation)
practicing self-kindness, self-compassion self-care, being one's own friend... rather than enemy
practicing kindness to others often too
replacing avoidance with acceptance
learning to be psychologically resilient
value-based living (being aware of what is most important to one and doing things to achieve one's values)
being on a daily growth path and making simple tiny-step improvements daily
A lot of the above comes from ACT - Acceptance and Commitment Therapy concepts I read about in a book for dummies.
The book is not about depression but I think the concepts and strategies apply in many ways.
Of course the above things are all just ideas that work for me, not recommendations. Everyone is different. So it's good to always contact one's professional healthcare providers before making any lifestyle changes.
Please forgive any typos above.
Thank you for this great post.
@7motivation very valuable ideas, but what do you do when you feel unsure what tasks are worthwhile or cant come up with ideas other than the same ones every day? How do you figure out what to learn or do next?
@rationalGrapefruit3050
For the "unsure" situation you raised... here are 4 things...
1) 2 decision making models...
2) getting help...
3) mindset change about making mistakes...
4) internet searching...
First...
1) 2 VERY SIMPLE DECISION MAKING MODELS that can help to... make decisions ... and make progress...
2) GET HELP... Please remember... "Getting Help" is often a very important first step.
Reaching out and finding the right person to talk to can get a solution started and stop the worrying.
3) MINDSET CHANGE... overcome fear of making a mistake...
Mentally take the shame and fear out of making reasonable mistakes....
Then it's easier to get unstuck by taking a reasonable risk to make progress....
Realize with each action one gains... knowledge, new ideas, resilience, courage, self-understanding, and quicker results.
To appreciate the need for taking reasonable risks to make progress...
one could see these 10 reasons that... making mistakes can actually lead to essential progress...
https://www.lifehack.org/299971/this-why-you-should-proud-making-mistakes
4) SEARCHING THE INTERNET... can result in many ideas... and can help activate the creative thinking process... then try what seemed worth trying... or try the idea that seem best first...
If stuck, I would keep searching the internet until... I found what I needed... resources, knowledge, inspiration, ideas, training, products, advisers, support groups, therapy ideas, solution strategies...
Please forgive any typos above.