Self-Management of Depression

When asked about  their meaning in life, most people launch into a rambling monologue about the  sources  that create meaning in life, such as family, relationships, work, hobbies, and spirituality . Or, after a nervous chuckle, they try to change the subject. Truthfully, what exactly meaning in life means is not easy to define and, not surprisingly, meaning in life often gets confused with other states of mind or psychological constructs. It gets mixed up with happiness (which is more akin to pleasure and immediate satisfaction), identity (which involves a more global sense of self), well-being (which is more reflective of quality of life), and the search for meaning (which involves seeking meaning) (Hill, 2018). Why is this abstract concept of meaning in life so important? Research shows that having meaning in life helps you interpret and organize your experiences, build a sense of your own worth, identify what matters to you, and direct your energies more effectively. ...

Too often we come across quotes in social media on the lines, "The older I get, the less I care about..." or the "The older I get, the more I appreciate..." Do we have to really wait for our golden years to find meaning in life? The answer is a resounding no. Since the dawn of time, poets, philosophers, theologists, and scientists have tried to make sense of the concept of meaning in life. As much as meaning in life is viewed as an amorphous psychological concept, there are tangible ways to explore one's meaning in life. Here's where values come into the picture. Value-focused exercises give you an insight into what really matters in your life.  These exercises also make you aware of the discrepancies between what you are pursuing in your life at present and what you really want your life to stand for. This discrepancy generates the drive and motivation to pursue goals that are more in line with your values. Also, these exercises help you reconsider the imp...

Through the ages, philosophers, poets, and scientists have tried to make sense of the concept of meaning in life. In simplistic terms, people experience the presence of meaning in life when they (Steger et al., 2008): Comprehend themselves and the world Understand their unique fit in the world Identify what they are trying to accomplish in their lives Although there are objective ways to measure one's level of meaningfulness in life, the concept remains riddled with misconceptions. This article discusses common myths and their corresponding facts (Duggal, 2018).  1. Myth: Meaning in life is a long-term pursuit that may take years. Fact: Meaning in life differs from man to man, day to day, and hour to hour, and what matters more is not the meaning in life in general but the specific meaning of an individual’s life at a given moment . Meaning in life can be a vocation or mission to carry out a concrete assignment that demands fulfillment (Frankl, 2006). 2. Myth: One has to find m...