How to be more happy...

[Seeking Happiness]

I tend to be negative at some times, and I want it to stop. How can I find some ways to become more positive and drop the negative attitude?
Thank you...

[tithe_girl]

Everyone is different, but as someone who goes through phases of depression I can tell you what works for me =)

- Finding a new hobby; personally I love theatre, having something to focus on can help with the negative feelings.
- Journaling; sometimes getting out the negative helps with letting it go.
- Volunteering; helping others can really brighten your day, especially if you find an opportunity you’re passionate about.
- Hanging out with friends; as long as you surround yourself with positive people they can really help lift your mood.
- Reading; now this one might just be me, but when I’m down I’ll start a new book, and by the time I’m done I usually feel better.

I’m afraid those are all I can think of right now, but feel free to PM me if you need more and I’ll try to think of some =)

[Invision]

Attempting to have a more positive and constructive thought process is a very good thing. ^^; I currently have one, so uh, here are some tips from ... a naturally idealistic severely depressed seventeen year old. Yeah, I know, I'm so qualified for this.

First, try to think positively. I don't mean being all like 'everything is amazing', or trying to fool yourself or lie to yourself about anything being good; I mean trying to take the little things as they come. Even if you don't FEEL positive, you can still THINK positively, even if it's just words. "This chocolate is good." Say it out loud. Think it a few times. "I love my friends." "I love electricity." Whatever comes to mind, just try to think of something positive and say it at least under your breath. I'd do this once every hour if you can manage it. The key here is to reinforce the positive thoughts to solidify that sort of thing in your head.

I'm aware that sometimes, depression can think for you and draw you down those terrible and self-destructive trains of thought, but this might help you a little, anyway. :3

Are you religious (or trying to be religious)? If you're a Christian, instead of just saying positive things, pray and pretend you're talking to God. "Thank you, God, for my amazing and delicious chocolate." That might help as well, at least to connect to God (please don't feel like I'm evangelizing here, I just wanted to add this tip because, well, one, I'm a Christian, and two, this is a pretty common tactic for recovering alcoholics/addicts/etc., and I figure it might help for mental illness as well.).

Third of all, have you tried mind altering drugs? ... Don't. Most of them are depressives (...they'll just make you more depressed) and it's really easy to get hooked when you're mentally 'unhinged'. I'm not saying you're crazy, just that you've got a screw loose - and there's nothing wrong with that. I like my un-oiled and half-in screws, thank you very much, and I'm trying to screw them in. It's just that I don't have the best grip on my screwdriver ...

I guess that's all I have to say for suggestions, and I hope it helps. Journaling and volunteering are good ideas, too. If you don't exercise, I recommend you start; that can really help you in both mind and body. Maybe go running or get a gym membership.

James

[Seeking Happiness]

Thanks guys!