Depression: The Power Of A Positive Attitude

I am going to ask you to something very strange right now - don't worry, it won't hurt!

Are you ready? Good, let's begin.

I want you to listen to your thoughts.

Now tell me, what thoughts fill your head?

Would you say that they are positive, or negative thoughts?

Now, keeping these thoughts in mind, let's say you take a stroll on the beach or go the mall.

The question I have for you is this:

"Do you think that anyone who you meet on the beach, street or wherever, would be able to tell you what’s on your mind?"

If you answered "no" then, of course you would be right. How would a person be able to know what you are thinking about?

But, how about if we look at this from a different angle...

... even though these people will not be able to tell exactly what you are thinking, they will more or less have an idea of how you are feeling.

Can this be true? Yes, I believe that it can - because your thoughts are very powerful.

They affect your frame of mind and general attitude. And the attitude that you carry reflects on your appearance, for example, if you walk with your head down – unless, of course, you are a great actor.

Let me tell you, at the beginning of my journey with depression, I was a fantastic actor - I would have given Meryl Streep a run for her money!

People around me had no idea of the inner pain that I was going through because I hid it so well. And the reason why I hid it, was because I felt ashamed, embarrassed and like a failure because I couldn't just "get over" my depression.

Now that I have many more years of experience with depression and know that it is a medical illness and NOT a sign of weakness, I am no longer competing with Meryl Street for that Oscar!

But you know what else? It doesn't end there.

Your attitude can also affect people around you.

The type of attitude you portray depends on you, and this attitude can be either a positive or negative one.

Positive thoughts have a "feel good" effect and they are invigorating.

Plus, the people around the person carrying positive thoughts are usually energized by this type of attitude. I always like to think of a positive attitude as being contagious!

Negative thoughts on the other hand are prone to have a draining effect on other people.

You may not be aware of it, but if your negative thoughts make you look gloomy and sad, other people will pick up on these negative thoughts.

There is a huge amount of research that backs up the statement that a positive attitude attracts people, while a negative attitude repels them.

People tend to shy away from those who carry a negative attitude.

Given my pre-disposition to becoming depressed, I actively avoid people who are constantly complaining about things. If I stayed in their company for too long, I find myself starting to feel depressed.

We can also define attitude as the way of looking at the world. If you choose to focus on the negative things in the world, more or less you have a negative attitude brewing up. However, if you choose to focus on the positive things, you are more likely carry a positive attitude.

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You have much to gain from a very positive attitude. For one, studies have shown that a positive attitude promotes better health.

Those with this kind of attitude also have more friends. Projecting a positive attitude also helps one to handle stress and problems better than those who have a negative attitude.

A positive attitude begins with a healthy self-image. If you love the way you are and are satisfied, confident, and self-assured, you also make others that are around you, feel the same way.

A negative attitude, on the other hand, has an opposite effect. So, carrying a negative attitude has a two-fold drawback. You feel bad about yourself, and you make others feel the same way.

If you want a healthier, more positive outlook in life, you need to think happy thoughts, and you have to hear positive things as well - then the happy feeling will follow.

So, what can you do?

Well, for starters, you could see a funny movie, you could play with children, spend some time telling jokes with friends, make sure you get out of the house and maybe even do some excerice.

All these activities fill you with positive stimuli, which in turn promotes a positive attitude.

Although it is impossible to keep ourselves from the negative things around us, you can still carry a positive attitude by focusing on the good things, the positive things in life.

And this positive attitude you now carry can be of benefit to other people. Sometimes when other people feel down, the thing people mostly do is try to give them advice.

But sometimes, all they need is somebody to sit by them, and listen to them. If you have a positive attitude you may be able to cheer them up without even having to say anything.

Okay, so if a positive attitude is so great, then why do people adopt a negative attitude instead?

One possible explanation is that the person with a negative attitude may be actually sending a signal for attention. Another explanation may be that the person is showing early signs of depression.

I would like to make it clear that feeling sad, angry, or gloomy is not wrong in itself. But dwelling on these thoughts for far too long is not healthy either.

If you are beset by troubles, even in your darkest hour, focus on the good things in life, you will always have hope. Problems become something you can overcome - just like I have.

You having nothing to lose by adopting a healthy, positive attitude.

Studies show that such an attitude actually delays aging, makes you healthier, helps you develop a better stress coping mechanism, and has a very positive effect on all the people you meet every day.

So, what's not to like about a positive attitude?

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Adopt one today! positive_attitude

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