Use it or lose it…

If you find yourself feeling down more often then you like try something that isn’t easy, popular, or come in pill form. Look inward.

First, ask yourself a series of questions.

Am I exercising 6 days/week? This doesn’t have to be anything more than a 60 minute walk, a 30 minute light jog, a little TRX, a good hot yoga class, or a nice dip in the pool. The number one way to shield yourself from depression is to commit to moving.
The mind changes when you move it. Funny, huh.

Am I able to sense when stress has become “distressful” in me and soothe myself so as to remain calm? You cannot draw upon your best thinking when you are feeling overwhelmed. Everyday I observe folks trying to think calmly while being triggered by stressors that flood their brain full of “fight of flight” chemicals. Rational thinking hasn’t got a chance.

And a good third question to ask yourself is simply, “Am I able to focus my attention and remain positive?” The majority of folks are so busy muliti-tasking as a habit that they don’t have a clue what it means to really focus. The problem with our distracted culture is that it prevents us from broadening our perspective. This causes our brain to perceive the problem as bigger than it is. So big, oftentimes, that the brain cannot see around it. Self absorbed here we come. Can you see it?

The brain works best when it is focused in one direction, period. So, if you want to make more prospecting calls today, or collections calls today, or handle more customer service calls effectively today, you must learn how to focus your attention like a banchee. Your enemy is your divided attention. Your enemy is your inability to see, soothe, and solve this problem. You can change this. Here’s how…

Walk in daylight 6 days a week for starters. Become aware of your triggers that jack you into a chemical bath gone bad. Practice taking some deep breathes before opening your pie hole. Slow down and reflect on how you’re feeling. Think for a second on the best PA (productive action) to move through the stressors as oppossed to running away. As a result of following these rather simple disciplines, your mind will be able to look at what’s troubling you and your ability to perform. Your mind will learn how to ACT anyway. Over time and through adversity it will adapt and change. Your perspective will gradually broaden. And, before you know it you’ll be calm and focused when facing your old familiar distressors that previously threw you into disarray.

Your thinking is your best anit-depressant. Use it. In fact, use it or lose it…