• Welcome to the Anxiety Community Forum, a friendly space for discussion, help and support with mental health issues. Please register to post and use the extra features available to members. Click here to register.Everyone is welcome!

Hаrvаrd Study Shоws Thаt Dеprеssеd Pеоplе Hаvе Wаndеring Minds

Goodman

Goodman

Junior Member
Joined
Jul 2, 2016
Messages
10
Reaction score
2
Hаrvаrd Study Shоws Thаt Dеprеssеd Pеоplе Hаvе Wаndеring Minds. сultivаting Mindfulnеss Is Thе Kеy Tо Bеаting Dеprеssiоn.


Think bасk оn а timе whеn yоu wеrе vеry unhаppy. Yоu prоbаbly аttributе it tо sоmе spесifiс situаtiоn, suсh аs а prоblеm оr issuе yоu wеrе dеаling with, оr pеrhаps yоu didn’t hаvе things yоu thоught yоu wаntеd оr nееdеd. Yоu prоbаbly mеntаlly аssignеd thе саusе оf yоur unhаppinеss tо thеsе еxtеrnаl fасtоrs.


Wе оftеn think it’s оur ‘prоblеms’ – оur trоublеsоmе lifе сirсumstаnсеs thаt mаkе us unhаppy—аnd thаt if оur сirсumstаnсеs wоuld just сhаngе tо sоmеthing mоrе dеsirаblе, thеn hаppinеss wоuld bе еаsy. Turns оut, thоugh, it’s nоt оur сirсumstаnсеs thаt mаkе us hаppy оr unhаppy.


а rесеnt Hаrvаrd study rеvеаls thаt strаy thоughts аnd wаndеring minds аrе dirесtly rеlаtеd tо unhаppinеss . During thе study it wаs disсоvеrеd thаt thоsе with соnstаntly wаndеring minds wеrе lеss likеly tо bе hаppy thаn thоsе аblе tо fосus оn tаsk.


This study sееms tо соnfirm whаt Buddhists, sаgеs аnd sаints hаvе lоng tаught – Thаt аn unruly mind сrеаtеs unhаppinеss аnd dysfunсtiоn аnd thаt thе kеys tо hаppinеss lаy in mаstеring thе mind nоt in сhаnging еxtеrnаl fасtоrs in оur livеs.


Whаt dо yоu think?
 
Moroccanbeauty2266

Moroccanbeauty2266

Junior Member
Joined
Jul 11, 2016
Messages
22
Reaction score
1
Oh, I do see the point in mastering the mind as a priority.


Because everything is influenced by how we perceive something. Even how we perceive life.


By changing our perception we can improve our lives in so many ways.


However, this also takes a lot of courage since you have to step out of your comfort zone and be willing to perceive something completely differently.


Changing external factors can help temporarily but not in the long-run and not if the mindset remains the same.
 
Pandora

Pandora

Junior Member
Joined
Jul 2, 2016
Messages
60
Reaction score
1
I read a study similar to the Harvard Study, however, it went to depth on how to be mindful of what is happening to you at the point in time. I can totally see where depressed people will have a wondering mind. Yet, an anxiety individual has a wondering mind no matter what is going on within their lives. But, trying to master an anxiety mind takes a lot more work then a depressed mind, even though it may not seem like it. I agree with Moroccan, it takes a lot of courage to try and change any mind (depressed or anxiety) a lot of factors play into the change. Also, it depends on the individual who wants to change and what they wish to change. Some individuals may have an unatainable goal and if they don't get to that goal within their own time frame, they will lose faith in themselves and go to a depressive state.
 
T

THORsday

Junior Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2016
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Sometimes, encouragement from our loved ones is also needed. Because no matter how positive the person thinks just to beat depression, if the surrounding is filled with negativity, then the negativity will envelope the positive foundation that the person built.
 
H

hades_leae

Junior Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2016
Messages
271
Reaction score
31
I never assumed in my past that because I let my mind wonder, even when just day dreaming that I was depressed. I get what you're saying, but I don't know for certain that those studies can say that everyone who lets their mind wonder is suffering from depression. I don't think that's the point you were trying to make, but I do think that it's OK to just think to yourself.
 
Robilas

Robilas

Junior Member
Joined
Jul 8, 2016
Messages
59
Reaction score
3
To be honest I never thought about that, but it does make perfect sense. Even in my good days I can suddenly become depressed if I think about certain events or persons, and this often happens when I'm not busy. On the other hand if I'm totally focused on a task avoiding bad thoughts is easier, but having a wandering mind doesn't help.

This study sееms tо соnfirm whаt Buddhists, sаgеs аnd sаints hаvе lоng tаught – Thаt аn unruly mind сrеаtеs unhаppinеss аnd dysfunсtiоn аnd thаt thе kеys tо hаppinеss lаy in mаstеring thе mind nоt in сhаnging еxtеrnаl fасtоrs in оur livеs.
Click to expand...
Absolutely agree on that. Mastering your mind and avoiding some thoughts makes coping with depression easier. However I tried many times to restrain my mind with bad results - I can't stop it from wandering and I get distracted too easily.
 
K

kgord

Junior Member
Joined
Jul 11, 2016
Messages
437
Reaction score
40
Well, that is interesting, but it is like totally retraining your brain to think differently. I mean it would be pretty difficult not to be depressed if you were stricken with cancer or Lou Gherig's disease for instance, or if your child was killed. I think everyone is going to have a reactive depression under those circumstances. There are always different ways to look at your situation though and see the positives rather than the negatives. I dont know how to develop mindfulness. I guess I am doing it wrong, but I feel hypervenitlation when I try to mediate..the in through the nose out through the mouth is the reverse of how i breathe normally.
 
janemariesayed

janemariesayed

Moderator
Joined
Aug 31, 2016
Messages
2,417
Reaction score
509
Yes, I believe this to be totally true. I have depression and I find it really difficult to focus for a long period of time. I get bored easily and my mind wanders. I don't have the will power to finish tasks and it really does affect my life. I listen to subliminals on YouTube which seem to help but I don't even remember to do that most of the time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top