Do you feel a little down? Are you wondering how you can fight off “the blues?”
When struggling with the blues, or depression, everything feels like too much of an effort. The less you do, the less you want to do. You have to make a conscious effort to fight off the blues. Three recommendations that help are to look for things that bring you joy, take your thoughts captive, and practice gratitude.
1. Look for things that bring you joy.
Even when you “don’t feel like it,” make a conscious effort to engage in activities that bring you joy. Often when suffering from the blues, or depression, a person may feel less motivated to do enjoyable things and may also have less energy.
Engage in enjoyable activities. It’s good for your health! “A cheerful heart is good medicine.” (Proverbs 17:22 NIV).
2. Take your thoughts captive.
God tells us to take every thought captive. “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” (2 Corinthians 10:4-6 NKJV)
If God tells us to take every thought captive, that means He gives us the ability to choose what we will believe. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
3. Practice gratitude
Practicing gratitude frames your whole day. As soon as you wake up in the morning, think of three things you are grateful for and then write them down.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God…And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (Philippians 4:6, 8)
Cultivate the habit of being grateful. You may find that the more you are grateful, the more you will have to be grateful for.
What other ways have you found that are successful at fighting off the blues?
For more hope and posts like this, visit Dr. Bengtson’s website:https://www.DrMichelleBengtson.com or follow her on Facebook:https://www.Facebook.com/DrMichelleBengtson
To learn more about “Hope Prevails: Insights From a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression,” Dr. Bengtson’s newly released book, see: https://drmichellebengtson.com/hope-prevails-book/.
