15 Apr Laugh Yourself Happy

Being sad is one thing, being depressed is another!

The news can make you cry easily at a child missing or found dead.  Or your dog is killed by a car… and you mourn possibly for a couple of weeks. That’s called sadness.

When you can’t shake that dismal, dark feeling; or disconnected, hopeless lackluster outlook, that temptation to crawl into bed and pull over the covers, it’s time for help.

There’s a lot you CAN do!  You never have to be a victim.

Symptoms¹:

• Anxiety, apathy, general discontent, guilt, hopelessness, inability to feel pleasure, loss of interest, mood swings
• Lack of concentration, slowness in activity and thought, or thoughts of suicide
• Early awakening, excess sleepiness, insomnia, or restless sleep
• Agitation, excessive crying, irritability, or social isolation
• Excessive hunger, fatigue, loss of appetite, or restlessness
• Weight gain/loss
• Poor appetite, repeatedly going over thoughts

Being depressed isn’t normal!   Depression can be serious; so seek help.  Help might come in a good friend, a physician, or a counselor.  You’ll know what you need.

Things You Can Do:

1. MOVE!  Walking, jogging, Zumba, or kickboxing; exercise has been proven to turn on happiness genes!  Exercise 3-5 times a week for ½ hour.  Do something you enjoy so it will bring pleasure.
2. LIGHTS ON! Darkness makes you sleepy and dreary.  Go outside -get some UVB light with pure sunshine at high noon. Let your skin soak in the rays and optimize your Vitamin D levels; this will help improve your outlook and mood.
3. LAUGH!  You might not WANT to, but watching funny movies, You Tube Videos, anything that makes you laugh WILL release oxytocin and endorphins, turning on your happy genes
4. THANKFULNESS.  Find something to be grateful about single day.  Make a journal, get an app on your phone; practice gratitude every single day.  We always have things to be grateful for, even if it doesn’t seem that way.  Count your blessings!!!
5. REACH OUT and touch someone.  Don’t do this alone!  Be a friend to someone, and allow others in.  You’ll be surprised at the outcome!!  Strike up a conversation with strangers, be a big brother, adopt a pet.  The law of reciprocity states those who bring happiness into the lives of others will reap it for themselves.
6. PRAY ask God to fill you with hope.  Find hope Scriptures and sayings about joy, happiness!  Paste on mirrors, windshields, computers, and coffee maker.  Don’t leave home without them.
7. NATURE   Quiet evenings or mornings viewing a beautiful sunrise, or star filled sky take you away from your lack and increase awe.  Focusing on something higher than yourself elevates; try it and experience Beauty filling your heart.

If you need professional help, don’t delay!  Medical conditions make depression more pronounced.  Vitamin D deficiency or hormonal imbalance can tip the scales to depression, but the fix can give you the boost you need to shift back into happiness!

1. https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=symptoms+of+depression

TAGS:  depression, beating depression