Mindfulness and Depression

[Bristolboro]

good point above about alcohol, while it may offer a very short term fix it only exacerbates anxiety, I've learnt from this. Keep well away if you have depressive tendencies, that's achievement in itself.

Keeping a self-reflective diary is also very useful. You have to set yourself daily targets to change habits and thought cycles that you may have had for decades. But make these targets reasonable so you don't feel bad if you don't reach them. Go for a walk. Sit and meditate in a quiet space for 20 minutes. Go a day without a drink. Attend a job in the house you have been putting off for years. Write down how doing these simple things made you feel. Try to be aware of what triggers your bad mood. Reflect on it with patience.

 

[masquesmog]

mindfulness-based cognitive behaviour therapy

MBCT was partly developed here, hence Mark Williams heads this centre in Oxford. The video is worth a viewing, if you have time.

I left the NHS a long time ago, but I am part of group which uses this as part of our approach in India to stress control - it's well regarded by the clients, and used extensively. We are supporting organisations with a total of around 2M people.

 

[Big_Nothing]

Totally understand the bits about life events and regret for decisions. Hard though it is, you kind of have to nto look back. Regretting something that happened won't stop it happening. It's in the past. All we can do is learn from things and think about the present. Where are we now? It sounds like things are going OK for you at the moment so have you tried, even day, writing down something you're greatful for, or something that went well that day? It might help. Just to switch the mindset from thinking about the past to thinking about the present.

I know it's only a small think but I think of mental health like physical health. If you break your leg, you don't just fix it. You have long and slow and patient physio. Same with mental health. If you have wounds from the past (I know I do) you can't heal them. But you can slowly and patiently try and ease the pain from them.

Yeah I take stock every day. Sit down and appreciate my surroundings and the people I share them with. It doesn’t remove my regret though. Made the wrong call on a big decision last summer I think. Time will heal it, it always does and I’m plenty busy.

Unfortunately it’s nearly impossible to not look back because the person the mistake is in regard to is now closely involved with a long term friend.

Life is messy and people will do as they wish. It’s all relative and I’m still grateful.

Cheers for the reply ST.

 

[Aet290204]

AET - firk off out of here
As much as I enjoy your banter……

Your happiness is more important

Good to see you back, AET. Don't stay too long, though, you know you'll get wound up by a smartarse comment before long.

Fleeting visit chaps.
See it’s the usual suspects posting the same socialist nonsense. Look after yourselves, everyone.