03 Apr Why Thinking About the Future Can Improve Depression
Pretty much everything in life has pros and cons; can be good or bad.
Many things, in fact, can contribute to happiness or depression; depending on how they’re applied.
Thinking about the future, for example, could mean worry; and, therefore, anxiety and stress.
But thinking about the future in different ways can create hope and happiness and, well, read on …
via Psychology Today by Jennice Vilhauer
KEY POINTS
- Traditional therapy has focused on the past, but research has found that thinking about the future can help treat depression.
- Thinking about the future can reduce rumination, increase optimism, create a sense of purpose, and reduce anxiety.
- Some future-thinking skills to add to your daily routine include visualization, goal-setting, and getting to know your future self.
Source: Unsplash: Norbert Kundrak
Depression is a complex mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. While there are a variety of treatments available such as therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes, one approach that has gained attention in recent years is focusing on positive future events and outcomes.
What most people don’t know is that the brain is anticipatory in nature. Because we can only move toward the future, the brain has developed to be future-oriented and we spend a good deal of time speculating about what could happen five minutes, five days, or five years from now.
But how you think about the future matters to your emotional health. Thinking about too many negative things creates anxiety. Not thinking about enough positive things can lead to depression.
Research has shown that many people with depression have several areas of the brain responsible for future thinking that are underactive, and this makes it more difficult for them to anticipate positive future events. But research also shows that these parts of the brain can be stimulated with specific goal-related activities. Teaching people with depression skills for creating positive future events has been shown to boost their mood and improve their quality of life.
So, how exactly can future thinking help improve depression?
To find out more, read on … and click HERE for the full & original article.