If You Cannot Change the Situation, Change Your Attitude Towards It: Advice to Fight Depression

• 08.08.2016, 11:51
• Naira Mkrtchyan
•  World,  Analytics,  No-politics

The events of last weeks in Yerevan added the stress and depression which made our society suffer for a long time. To have healthy nation you should first of all make people happy. For example, in the Constitution of the Butan Kingdom it is written that the happiness of every citizen is the main goal of the government, and there is even a Ministry of Happiness in that country.

And what can make a person feel happy?

For centuries, mankind has been searching the answer to this question.

People are trying to overcome the stress with the help of tobacco, alcohol, drugs, long sleep, food, virtual world and so on.

Depression is caused by stress. It works on three levels:  body, brain and spirit. And for coming out of depression one needs to work with all of these three levels because they are interrelated and reinforce or weaken each other.

Depression is caused by our negative thoughts, such as envy, jealousy, humiliation, guilt. We often hear the expression, "I have devoted all my life to..." (my kids, husband, job, country). But it is not that anyone forced you to do so, you yourself choose your way, and there is no one to blame.

When we demand something from others, we have some expectations, which if not realized, give rise to abuse, aggression, anger, which eventually leads to self-destruction, depression, etc. And the more we demand, the more serious damage we cause to our own health.

There comes a moment you do not want anything, it seems that everything is bad, and that there is no light "at the end of the tunnel". But we should not forget that the world is what our thoughts are. It is important to realize that as long as we think negatively and only see bad things, it will continue that way. In this regard, there is a little story.

A woman goes home by bus after work. The bus is full, she is tired, upset, carrying heavy bags and thinking: "My husband is a looser, my children are naughty, my country is in war, there is no money, my employer treats me badly." Her guardian angel stands behind writes all this, thinking. "Well, for what she needs all this? Anyway, she has commanded so, I  have to make it real."

To get out of depression it is very important and useful to do some physical exercise, which helps the body move, and this in turn affects the emotions, because the physical exercise causes endorphins, hormones that produce happiness.

For coming out of depression it is also helpful to wish everyone happiness. Therefore, at least 5 minutes every morning and evening wish everyone happiness (for example, when in bus or train). Of course, initially it will be difficult, but you will see how it improves both your surrounding and your well-being.

There is some advice for overcoming depression with the following steps:

- Protect yourself from negative information of media,

- Do not isolate yourself with your problems, share them with friends, relatives,

- Smile frequently,

- Swim, run, exercise, walk,

- Learn to relax, go for massage, meditation,

- Eat right. The champions in the fight against depression are peaches, grapes, kiwi fruit, citrus fruits, red peppers, bananas, basil.

- Learn to manage your emotions. There is a good phrase. If you cannot change the situation, change your attitude towards it.