As we all know, there is a very close connection between stress and the afflictions of depression and anxiety.
I was coaching a client who had been struggling with low-grade depression for several years, which sometimes flared up into major depression. I was not making much headway until I discussed with her the idea that she was overloading her stress bucket.
I told her that some people had large stress buckets and some people like us who are prone to depression have smaller stress buckets and must be vigilant to keep them from overflowing. Suddenly hope came into her face and she said with excitement, “So, what I need to do is keep stress under control and I won’t be depressed.” I replied, “For you, that is the case.”
The next time I saw her she was still excited. “The last three weeks have gone very well for me. I have used the tools you gave me to hold stress down and I’m feeling better than I have for a long time.” There was on her face a smile that replaced the glum look I had been used to seeing. Such a simple concept gave her a visual that allowed her to see a solution to her depression for the first time.
Triumph Over Depression 