depression help is here
Depression can affect us at many stages of life. There is help when you are feeling hopeless. Below are 7 ways to seek joy and meaning in life.
1. Nature
Nature is needed to find peace. Study after study shows that time outside is very healthy for us physically and emotionally. Put the phone away (look up ‘digital detox’ at itstimetologoff.com) and find activities outdoors that bring you joy. A walk in the evening, the park with the kids, gardening, a hike in a state park, laying on a blanket in your yard to watch the clouds and find all the shapes they make. The outdoors is a force that makes us to remember that we are all connected. There is beauty in the harsh facts in nature that we relate to instinctively. If you are not religious you can reflect on how the organisms are all a part of a puzzle, each one necessary for the ecosystem to thrive.
2. Humor
Humor means seeking the silly, or the ridiculous and allowing yourself to appreciate the world through laughter. The greatest comedians know it, psychologists know it. Laughter is the best medicine because it is contagious and can lift you up when you need it most. It lowers blood pressure, reduces stress, triggers the release of endorphins, and boosts the immune system (Kramer & Leitao, 2023). When we make a choice to listen to a comedian that we love, watch a movie that makes us laugh, or surround ourselves with people that do not take themselves too seriously, it affects us in a positive way. If you force a smile it will help to make you smile even if it is not genuine at first. When you smile at others, it is contagious and they will often smile back. If you are a parent you could play with your child, or you could remember things that brought you joy as a child. We can revisit those activities we used to enjoy and incorporate them into our lives. Some examples would be: adult coloring books, learning the guitar, painting, or sports recreation teams.
3. Fun
Fun is our secret tool to find joy. Like many other things, we must Seek fun in our lives to find it. It does not have to cost anything. What is fun for you such as going to a concert, may not be fun for another person that has more fun camping in the woods. If you are a parent or have siblings the fun is right in front of you. You have children that crave fun times with their parents and siblings. Adventures like a beach trip, tent inside/fort, tent in the backyard, letting them do your hair and makeup, cooking together, etc. can all be silly and promote bonding. The philosopher Epicurius believed that fun liberated us from life’s constraints. The psychologist Glasser (1999) theorized that our basic needs included the need for fun! This need for fun encompasses pleasure, play, humor, relaxation and relevant learning.
4. Connection
Connection is protection. The spouse or boyfriend you chose will usually have the same values and be your best friend. This is the person you will spend most of your time with, so plan activities you will both enjoy to maximize happiness. That may include fishing, watching the clouds on a blanket together, hiking, practicing a sport, or playing a board game. Seek friends from the past that you still share values with and find social connections in your community in places like church. Deep, meaningful connections are what we crave as humans, along with a place we feel we belong. We also spend much of our time at work over a lifetime. Reflect on what meaning you see in your work, and how it does or does not bring you joy. If you are in an unhealthy relationship, or in a job where there is no meaning or joy, take the steps below to seek change.
5. Truth
Truth is, Life is never perfect. What seems perfect is not actually perfect in that person’s life. We are always striving for more as humans. The key is to appreciate what you have at each stage of life with the understanding that, “this too shall pass.” Time will continue to flow like a river, and change will come inevitably. This can be a comfort in hard times, but also a reminder in happy or calm time to cherish the moment. Truth and wisdom come from examining life. This can be accomplished through reading religious texts like the Bible, journaling about your thoughts and goals, and reflecting on what your past has taught you. Remember that failure is normal. It is what we learn through our failures that makes us who we are. Take the chances life offers. If you are worried about what people will think, keep in mind this simple truth: everybody poops. Yes, I said it, even Brad and Angelina are humans and suffer from the same ailments such as diarrhea. When you imagine that, then you may actually smile, and you may feel connected to others in some silly way.
6. Movement
A body in motion will stay in motion. A body at rest will remain at rest. Unless we act! Newton’s first law of motion applies to human bodies as well. When it comes to exercise, we get into slumps that distract us and we create excuses (valid excuses usually) as to why we are not moving. The secret is to make the decision to start again by refocusing on your ‘why’ and forgive yourself for the time it took to get there. Hobbies also enrich our lives, and when they require movement, you get the most out of spending time on the activity. Your time is precious. You cannot earn it back or buy more time. If you have a family, there are activities such as bike riding, walking, tennis, running, etc. that you can do together. If you want or need solo workouts, think about weightlifting or a personal trainer. Maybe you are a social person, so basketball, pickleball, cycle class, or Pilates are more exciting. Mix it up, make it fun, and invite others or meet up with others to increase connections.
7. Support
Support includes the people you surround yourself with. We are not meant to be alone as humans are social creatures by nature. Many believe God designed us to rely on each other for survival just as Eve was made for Adam in Genesis, and a child learns secure or insecure attachment from their first caregiver. If you read about early man, you also see that we were a hunter/gatherer society that was primarily tribal. Our health consists of three things: mental health, physical health, and social health. This means that being social is necessary for our wellbeing. Reflect on the ways you are social and consider new ways to connect with others. This may include volunteering at your child’s school, helping at the animal shelter or fostering pets, joining a book club, attending church, or spending time with friends. Also allow yourself to set boundaries surrounding your time, and how others treat you as resentments may lead to anger.
Be Happy Find Peace.pdf by Kelli Redd, LPC
National Institute of mental Health: Depression
