[MissUnity]

When I'm depressed, my thinking is very blah…thinks aren't to interesting and my confidence is pretty low…I start to try to analyze the situation which kinda makes things worse…or I try to distract myself..but that impulsive negativity just remains in the background. I was introduced to mindfulness but I don't really get it….how do people deal with a repetitive negative soundtrack?

[LaborIntensive]

I immerse myself in the study of something I find of interest. This has allowed me to develop many interests that I may not be an expert on but I have general knowledge and therefor have developed a better understanding and appreciation of.

my understanding of using mindfulness is it takes practice to really make a difference. cognitive behavioral therapy can be helpful too. I tend to journal when I can't make my thoughts stop, it helps get the thoughts out of my head.

[shabur]

I was in a partial hospitalization program where we learned DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy). Using DBT, you develop plans to calm yourself, your mind to use when you find yourself in these situations. I've printed mine out and laminated the card so I can carry it with me at all times.

1. Breathe - sounds simple, but it's not. When we're stressed we tend to breathe using only the upper part of our lungs. I focus on pulling the air down into the lower part of my lungs, actually extending my belly as if I'm using those muscles to pull the air down. I learned how to do this from my yoga teacher.

2. Journal - I try to journal to get out what I am feeling and then by reading it, I try to make sense of it.

3. Meditate - this can be hard because I find it difficult to control my thoughts. I carry a medallion one of my therapists gave me during a particularly difficult time. On one side of the medallion is an angel and the other the word "Hope". I use that medallion to focus my eyes, thus my mind and breathe,

4. Get myself out of where I am - physically removing myself from wherever I am, either going to the coffee shop or someplace where there are people. I don't need to be connected to these people, there just needs to be people around.

5. Reach out to someone - I really struggle with this because I don't want to be a burden to anyone, but I will sometimes try it.

You may want to try this. It has been very helpful to me.

Good luck.