If you’ve been following along these past few weeks, you’ve seen the tips we’ve covered so far to help gain victory over depression/anxiety.
1.Check out things physiologically 2. Realize you are not a fragile soul but are actually stronger than you believe. 3. Exploring the root of anger/depression through failed expectations and redirecting those needs to the One who can meet them.
Today we are examining flawed focus.
Flawed focus. What do I mean by that? In simplest terms, it’s focusing on either the depression/anxiety or ourselves to the degree that reality becomes blurred. We become paralyzed and succumb to the belief that we are “stuck” in this state permanently. Helpless. Hopeless.
I realize it can feel way more complex than that when you are in it but in actuality, that is the plain and simple truth. Focusing so intently on the sadness (even in an attempt to get things straightened out!) leads to defeat.
What can we do about it?
Some practical tips…
“Breathwork” A dear friend of mine gave me this term to describe how she has learned to respond to feelings of panic/anxiety/depression. This may be sound too simple but I know several folks who have found this extremely helpful. Practice taking several deep, long breaths. In and out. In and out. In and out. For several minutes. This forces your brain to shift focus from the emotional feelings to this physical activity. Some folks also find it helpful to simultaneously clench both fists very tightly in between breaths to increase the redirect of focus. Try it and adapt it until you find what works for you.
Instead of thinking about your state, dig into the character of God. Learn about His attributes and meditate on them. A book that I reread regularly is “None like Him” by Jen Wilkin. Turning our attention to the glory and power and majesty of our Heavenly Father is more powerful than anything I know. Take just one attribute at a time and sink into it. What He is like. What that means for you. Worship.
Adjust your atmosphere. Worship music (develop a praise playlist and wear it out!) . An uncluttered work/living space (amazing how this works wonders for your soul!) Ambience (don’t laugh - candles not only change dinnertime, they can be powerful weapons in this fight!) AND get outside! Look at the stars at night. Take a challenging hike to beautiful waterfalls. Let the majesty of God’s creation reveal His character to you. On a regular basis.
One final tip to combat depression/anxiety is to do something for someone else. You may not feel like it. You may not have any ideas (don’t worry - I’ll share a few :) ) But, when practiced faithfully on a daily basis (yep - EVERY DAY), this is one of the most effective antidotes to have in your arsenal. Find the strength to move your focus from yourself to someone else. As simple and easy as send a text to a friend that you are thinking of them. Pray for someone else - for 5-7 minutes (!). Buy a child an ice cream cone (ok, be sure and ask their Mom first!) Take cookies to a neighbor. Make a meal for a mom with littles. (Such a great blessing!) Write a note to someone who needs encouragement and/or someone who has been a blessing to you. Pay rent for a college student. Take a senior citizen for lunch. Send flowers to your sister (or mom or friend…or enemy LOL!) Take a plate of treats to your church staff. Visit a nursing home and drop off some sweets. You can come up with your own ideas but just do something for someone else - every day!!!!!! Over time, you will find that your flawed focus has changed. And the results will be significant…and widespread.
Keep going, sisters. Keep going. <3