Signs of depression
“The only problem we really have is we think we’re not supposed to have problems. Problems call us to a higher level – face and solve them now!” – Tony Robbins
When you ask the question, “What’s the best thing that can happen to you?” many people respond that winning the lottery would make them completely joyful. But when you actually look at people who have won incredible amounts of money, their lives are rarely extraordinary. Why? Because they haven’t grown. They’ve received all the financial resources they could ever need, but are oftentimes still unhappy. They still don’t know how to find true fulfillment. They still don’t know how to connect with the important people in their lives. They haven’t made progress – they’ve just received an incredible gift.
When asked “What’s the worst thing that could happen to you?” many people answer that becoming quadriplegic would be utterly devastating. Of course it would be! However, there are people out there who have gone through it and still managed to live in a beautiful state. Take Art Berg, for instance. Art was in the backseat of his friend’s car, on the way to his own wedding, when his friend fell asleep behind the wheel. The car veered off the road, crashed and Art was paralyzed as a result. Most people can’t imagine living with that type of trauma. Art knew that people would understand if he chose to live in a state of suffering, but he didn’t want to. He wanted to maximize his own happiness; he started his own business, married his childhood sweetheart, had children and continued doing outdoor activities that made him happy.
Living in a depressed state
If you feel like your life is being impaired by your depressed state, reach out to a medical professional for help. You also need to realize that bad things happen to everyone – that’s a fact. The difference between living in a depressed state or a beautiful one is your mindset. You need to make a decision to master feelings of depression and choose progress over all else. If you don’t, you could get stuck in a mental block.
Progress equals growth and growth equals feeling joyful. Do you feel like you’re caught in a depressed state? These are the depression symptoms to be mindful of. When you feel yourself slipping into these habits, remind yourself that changing your mindset can change your life in an instant.
Feeling hopeless or worthless
When you feel depressed, you might feel hopeless. You feel like no matter what you attempt, it’ll turn out wrong or not matter in the long run anyway. This symptom of depression should be a red flag. Why do you feel like you no longer have worth? Has something traumatic happened to spark this incident? Address the initial cause of your feelings of hopelessness and tackle your limiting belief. Recognize that you have immense value to offer the world that no one else can, and that you can overcome this feeling by working toward a goal.
Loss of energy
Feeling less energetic than normal is a common sign of depression. And when you feel less energetic, your sleep cycle is affected. You sleep more than you normally would to make up for your lack of natural energy, which then compounds the problem by interfering with your ability to get things done during the day. There are a few ways to try to combat this problem: monitor your caffeine intake, eat foods that are high in protein and low in sugar and make sure you’re moving your body enough during the day. By making small changes to your diet and exercise routine, your body is sending a signal to your mind that it has the resources it needs to feel a sense of energy and vitality.
Loss of interest in activities
Are you no longer interested in things you used to love? Have you stopped meeting up with friends? Does going to the gym sound like more of a hassle than a great release? This is a common symptom of depression, and is sometimes referred to as anhedonia. It can be challenging to get back into old routines when you’re depressed, but you need to actively choose to get involved with your life. Visit a friend. Do something physical that gets you out of your mind. Plan a pleasurable activity at least once a day and see if after a few days you don’t start to feel better. Practice meditation or priming techniques to ground yourself. Sometimes, something as simple as a nice bath or hot shower can help you to clear your mind.
When you feel yourself slipping into a depressed state, realize that your life is more than a moment. You can feel upset now in this moment and still live an incredible life. It’s OK to feel sad, mad or upset sometimes, but you have to know that external events don’t control your life – how you choose to react to your situation does. Make decisions in life that help you to maximize what you have instead of focusing solely on your depressed state. It’s up to you to reframe your mindset, change your emotional patterns and pursue the extraordinary life you know you’re capable of.
Important note
Depression is serious. With all the resources out there, just knowing where to start can be overwhelming. If you’re thinking about ending your life, call one of the suicide hotlines: 800-SUICIDE (800-784-2433) and 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255). If you have a plan to commit suicide, go to the emergency room for immediate treatment. The information and other content provided in this article, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. See full disclaimer.
Ready to live in your beautiful state?
Depression is a not an easy battle to face, but know that this state of mind isn’t permanent. Work towards the extraordinary life you deserve by reframing your mindset and adopting empowering beliefs with the help of Tony Robbins’ free Limiting Beliefs guide.