Mind over matter

　

　

　

　

When matters get too much, it’s time to use your mind! You may be hurting but you’ve got the answer – a change in mental tactics. An exercise prescription and some social support will help you to decrease your depression and boost your self-esteem.

Yes, life may suck. It is bumper-sticker wisdom but is unfortunately sometimes true. It is like one long series of exams that you cannot study for, constantly testing you and trying to get you down. Worse of all, it is not multiple choice.

It could be a slow accumulation, where drone-like cubicle dwelling poisons your spirit, or it could be a single event that obliterates your happiness.

Either way, whether it’s slow or ravaging, you are left depressed, unmotivated and with some serious low self-esteem issues. Even worse, there is no instant fix you can conveniently swallow.

But here are some answers; you may call it the ‘study guide’ to your exam. It is a mix of mental methods and social support and exercise; all guaranteed to get you facing the right way on recovery road.

Working with your mind, the goal is to eradicate negativity and anxiety. The method is by changing mental tactics.

Let us face it, your brain is stubborn and pretty hard to outwit.

You need some sneaky tactics. You have heard the claims about the healing potential of the mind. But can you really change the hardwiring of your own brain to fix yourself? The most recent research says an emphatic ‘yes!’

Proof can be seen in professional athletes who have figured out how to trick the brain and body into giving more. Scientists have shown that the brain tells you that you are tired long before your body actually tires.

It is just like having negative thoughts, which will always form part of your reasoning, so it is impossible to eliminate them completely.

These thoughts reflect in the pitch of your voice, your facial expressions and your body launguage. Worst of all, they are self-fulfilling prophecies.

If you find yourself drowning in high levels of anxiety, try to conquer your negativity. Start working on things you have control over.

Do not deny your worst-case scenario thoughts, but do focus on specific things you have control over. You can also use an age-old method to make any stressful event more manageable - break the problem into smaller pieces.

This method will mean that you can attack the problem step-by-step, and as you achieve one step you will gain confidence while at the same time shorten the journey to your intended destination.

Working with your body, the goal is to destroy depression and lethargy. The method: Exercise and endorphins.

As we know, depression and heart disease go hand-in-hand, so if you are constantly depressed there’s a good chance you’re heading for a heart attack unless you find an alternative.

Get your mind back on track and boost self-esteem with lots of exercise. It will definitely work wonders, as your body stretches and releases ‘feel-good’ endorphins into your brain. Long periods of exercise will also help to provide some space for thinking.

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