Dealing with Depression: 5 Creative Strategies for Mental Wellness

Dealing with the emotional rollercoaster of anxiety, depression, and stress can sometimes feel like a never-ending battle. Sure, we've all heard about the usual suspects – deep breathing, meditation, you know the drill. But sometimes, those methods feel like a well-worn path, too familiar and less effective. Here at Adelson Behavioral & Mental Health, we're all about exploring the uncharted territories of mental wellness. Let's dive into five creative ways to manage these challenging emotions:

1. Imagine how a person who does not experience anxiety or depression might approach and manage the situation.

Select someone you view as composed and even-tempered, and envision stepping into their shoes. This person could be someone from your personal circle, a well-known figure, a historical personality, or even a character from fiction.

Contemplate the following aspects:

Handling Difficult Situations: Consider how they would manage the challenge you're facing. What strategies or approaches would they employ?
Thoughts and Emotions: Reflect on the kind of thoughts and feelings they might experience in this situation. How do they maintain their calm?
Physical Responses: Think about their physical demeanor – the posture or tone of voice they might adopt to confront distressing emotions.
Self-Encouragement: Imagine the self-talk or affirmations they would use to navigate through tough times.

Try to adopt some of these attributes. If assuming their role feels overwhelming, imagine them advising you on how to tackle your current situation. Take this guidance and apply it to your circumstances as effectively as you can.

2) Carry out a simple ceremony to help get rid of bad feelings.

Shower Visualization Ritual:
Enjoy a soothing shower.
Picture the water carrying away all your stress and anxiety.
Imagine your stress flowing down the drain, representing a new beginning.
Imaginary Trash Can Method:
Visualize a trash can in your mind.
In your imagination, throw your troubling feelings and thoughts into this bin.
This symbolizes the elimination of negative emotions and mental clarity.
Paper and Pen Exercise:
Express your negative emotions through writing or drawing on paper.
This activity aids in recognizing and facing these emotions.
Once done, tear or crumple the paper.
Throw it into an actual trash can, signifying the disposal of these negative feelings from your life.
Paper Burning Ceremony:
Alternatively, you can choose to burn the paper with your emotions written on it.
Do this in a secure setting, like within a fireproof container and an area with good air circulation.
Burning the paper represents a thorough release of these negative emotions, similar to a purification process.
Mindful Reflection:
During these rituals, engage in mindful reflection.
Contemplate the significance of releasing these emotions and their fleeting nature.
Experience a sense of relief and liberation as you both physically and symbolically let go of these emotional weights.

By combining these physical actions with their symbolic meanings, you create a potent set of tools for managing stress and negative emotions in a uniquely therapeutic and effective manner.

3. Develop a Personal Calming Object for Anxiety and Depression Relief

Grounding objects serve as anchors to the present, helping us divert attention from past worries or future anxieties. They provide a sense of comfort and security in the here and now.

Craft a conveniently portable grounding object, offering mood-boosting support whenever necessary. Some creative suggestions include:

Designing a mini collage the size of a credit card to keep in your wallet or purse.
Drawing or painting a calming symbol or image that fits easily into your wallet or purse.
Crafting a piece of jewellery imbued with calming properties that you can wear.
Creating a custom keychain to carry with you as a constant companion.
Painting a small, smooth rock to hold as a soothing talisman.

When feeling anxious or down, hold onto your grounding object and engage in reassuring self-talk. Phrases like, “I am going to be okay” or “I've overcome challenges before, and I will do it again” can be immensely comforting. Additionally, grounding yourself with present facts, like the current day, time, and location, helps in focusing entirely on the present moment.

4. Imagine a place that is calming and peaceful.

Instead of letting your imagination run wild by picturing all the negative things that could happen in the future or exaggerating negative things that happened in the past, use it to picture yourself in a place that comforts you.

Use all of your senses to fully imagine being there. What do you see? What colours, shapes, objects, people, etc. are there? What do you smell? What do you hear? What do you feel?

For example, if you imagine being at a beach, picture the colour of the sand, sky, and water.

Picture if the sky is clear or cloudy, if the water is choppy or calm, if it is hot or breezy if you have the beach to yourself if there are other people, etc. Picture it in detail to engage all of your senses and be fully in the present moment.

5. Write down at least 3 things that you are grateful for

Our brains possess a 'negativity bias', inherently focusing on the negative as a survival mechanism. Cultivating gratitude is a powerful tool to retrain our minds towards positivity. Here are some ways to practice:

Routine Gratitude Reflection:
Set aside time each day to contemplate your blessings.
Aim to identify at least three things you're thankful for, regardless of their size.
This habit gradually rewires the brain to notice and cherish life's positive aspects.
Overcoming Negativity Bias:
Understand that the brain's default to negative thinking is a primitive survival tactic.
Consciously counteracting this bias with gratitude helps shift your mental perspective.
Valuing Self Traits and Successes:
Acknowledge personal qualities you're proud of, such as empathy, strength, or humour.
Celebrate your achievements, big or small, from career milestones to personal growth.
Appreciating Simple Pleasures:
Notice and appreciate daily delights, like a satisfying meal or a sunny day.
These small joys can greatly uplift your spirits and alter your viewpoint.
Cherishing Memorable Moments:
Reflect on recent events or occasions that have brought you joy.
Embrace these instances of happiness and connection, from social gatherings to personal feats.
Recognizing Support and Stability:
Express gratitude for elements in your life that offer stability and support.
This may encompass good health, a network of friends and family, or job security.
Commitment to Regular Practice:
Consistently engage in gratitude journaling for maximum impact.
Regular practice helps shift your focus from negative to positive gradually.

Incorporating these gratitude exercises into your daily life fosters a more optimistic outlook, counterbalances the brain's negativity bias, and enhances overall well-being.

Taking the Next Step with Adelson Behavioral & Mental Health

At Adelson Behavioral & Mental Health, we advocate for a diverse range of strategies to uncover what genuinely connects with you. It's important to remember that navigating through anxiety, depression, and stress is a deeply personal endeavour. Often, it requires a touch of creativity to identify the most effective methods for your unique journey. We encourage you to remain receptive to novel experiences and practice self-compassion throughout your path to wellness.

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