Cyclical thought is one of the biggest causes and symptoms of downward mental health spirals. Cyclical thoughts create a loop your brain seemingly can’t get out of. These cyclical thoughts can invite anything from feeling like a bad friend to panic attacks to depressive episodes. Sometimes the thoughts become so irrational that they’re almost humorous to look back on when we emerge from them.

Any kind of mindfulness trick can seem too difficult or pointless when you're really depressed. During one of my worst periods of depression, I had a coach from a personal development program. He suggested I list all the places and activities that made me happy, then go do them. I became even more distraught when I realized I had exactly zero items to put on my list. But check out this mindfulness trick, it's different.

When you have a mental illness, a relapse prevention plan is key to happiness and bliss (Is A Mental Illness Relapse Part of Recovery?). You should always have a mental illness relapse prevention plan established.

I have to work hard to relax my mind because if I don’t, it just keeps spinning and often wanders into some irrational thought. Lately, I’ve discovered that play helps relax my mind more than almost anything else.

I rely on my five-minute meditations to keep me calm and happy throughout the day. I don’t battle with anxiety every day, but I deal with it more often than not. These five-minute meditations are like mental stretches that prepare me to tackle the next bout of anxiety. 

The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best. ~ Epictetus Motivation What causes you to take action? Do you have goals, whether it’s getting up early or exercising daily? Do you find yourself thinking negative thoughts? Are you doing what brings you joy and happiness? Motivation is the it I’m referring to. Motivation is simply your eagerness or desire to do something. Honestly, some days I don’t feel like springing out of bed to seize the day. Some days, I’m not fired up to take the hill of goals I or someone else set for me. Nor am I always inspired to take part in the political Merengue that permeates corporate culture. Though, on the other hand, I am not interested in lounging around the house or willing to spend the day as the song lyrics of Otis Redding goes:

Practicing mindfulness is so important because we live in a frenzied world and life can be a zany ride. This leaves the window open just enough for the daily barrage of stressors to negatively affect your wellbeing. It numbs your ability to reason, feel and be responsive in the present moment and leaves you mindlessly functioning on autopilot. I’ve been there, you have been there. But, no one wants to stay there. Why? It can create an internal stream of stress and diminish happiness. What to do? If you haven’t started the journey already, begin practicing mindfulness with these five tips.

Be mindful of the very moment you are living. Start exactly this second. You don't wait . . . ~ Alexandra Stoddard Where Does Your Mind Go? Are you paying attention? When you drive your car, are you on autopilot or on alert? When you are in conversation, are you engaging with the other or thinking of something else? As I was sitting in the backyard of a dear friend, taking in the scenic backdrop of rolling hills, sprawling green trees, magnificent limestone cliffs, and a serene lake, my mind harkened back to a trip I took to Los Colinas De Cuncumen. Just thinking about it fills me with joy. This was a place absent of technology and social fanfare. It was a place where peace and serenity embraced me the moment I arrived and, quite frankly, it is still with me today. It was an opportunity for me to reflect on the core of who I was as a human being. Many questions arose during my time there, but the one that continues to surface is, where does your mind go?

Did you see the film A Beautiful Mind starring Russell Crow? I did. If you didn’t, you should check it out. It is a splendid biographical drama film based on the life of Nobel Prize winner John Forbes Nash Jr.; Crow stars as Nash and Jennifer Connelly his wife. It’s a story of man whose mind, on one hand, yielded huge benefits to society while, on the other, let him down with troublesome schizophrenia.

Surround yourself with positive energy. Good vibes translates into good moods and better health all around.~Unknown When you enter your home does it evoke a feeling of harmony? Do you feel positive energy flowing through your home? What are you thinking, saying and doing to infuse positive energy in your home?