Any tips on being happier?!
Question: I am 17, and Lately I have not been myself- I have been very negative about things, havnt conversed much with my family (which I always do), been worrying all the time that my girlfriend will leave me (which I have no reason to worry about)... I have just been so depressed lately. I am taking a perscription which has always worked in the past, and I just added another one. I hate being this sad and negative all the time. Any ideas on raising my happiness without medicine? and simple techniques? I could really use your help.
Answers: I am 17, and Lately I have not been myself- I have been very negative about things, havnt conversed much with my family (which I always do), been worrying all the time that my girlfriend will leave me (which I have no reason to worry about)... I have just been so depressed lately. I am taking a perscription which has always worked in the past, and I just added another one. I hate being this sad and negative all the time. Any ideas on raising my happiness without medicine? and simple techniques? I could really use your help.
To be happy you need to have a major life change. Changing what you eat, what time you get up in the morning, and other small things like that isn't what will help you. You aren't happy with where you are at, what you are surrounded by in life. I suggest going to church tomorrow or tonight. God is the only one you can always depend on. Whether you belong to a church or not, just go. If you aren't even sure what you believe in, go see what it is all about. Try and see how you like different churches and find one you like. You can get involved in the youth program there. You would meet a ton of such great and nice friends. God will work miracles in your life, if you open your heart to his love and compassion. Know that God loves you at all times and forgives you when you believe no one will and His compassion and comfort will be there when you need it most. I'll keep you in my prayers.
I really hope you just try it. Good luck. Have a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year.
Did you know that food can affect your mood?
If you eat a lot of healthy things with all sorts of vegatables like yellow bell pepper, broccolli, garlic, etc. You want a variety of foods in your diet and you need a specific amout of diary, meats, oils, vegables, etc everyday.
Anyways, I know just what you need. I bought a Seventeen magazine yesterday and I usually feel depressed and stuff but now I'm all cheerfull and stuff. I use to always want to stay in my room and never come out to embraress myself infront of people in my school and I was I wanted to be popular SOO BAD.
Exercising also affects your emotions and the way you think.
OH AND SLEEP HELPS TOO.
Whoops sorry, back to what you need. Okay I bought Seventeen magazine yesterday and I found this topic and its called, Pick a Snack for your Mood.
Moods:
Feeling Tired?
Eat 1 Packadge of peanut butter sandwich crackers, 1/4 cup of hummus and 14 pita chips, and 1 slice of low-fat cheese on whole wheat bread.
WHY: CARBS (BREAD AND CRACKERS) PLUS PROTEIN (CHEESE, HUMMUS AND PEANUT BUTTER) IS A POWER COMBO THAT GIVES YOU LASTING ENERGY.
Feeling sad?
Eat 1 cup of raspberry sorbet with 2 vanilla wafers, half and english muffin with jam, and 1 granola bar.
WHY: CARBS (SUGAR, STARCH, AND FIBRE) HELP RELEASE SEROTONIN, THE BRAIN CHEMICAL THAT MAKES YOU FEEL HAPPY.
Feeling unfocused?
Eat 1 cup of yogurt with DHA omega -3, half a bagel with smoked salmon, 1 glass of soy milk with DHA omega -3.
WHY: THESE SNACKS ARE LOADED WITH DHA OMEGA -3, THE FATTY ACID THAT IMPROVES BRAIN FUNCTION AND HELPS YOU THINK CLEARLY.
Remember, I got these straight from Seventeen Magazine!
Oh and if you need help with sleep, this article is called Wakeup Happy.
If your tired in the morning even when getting tons of sleep then you need to open your curtains and let all that sun in as soon as your alarm rings because the light helps reset your brain.
If you keep waking up and watch T.V or computer before you go to bed? Then stop playing on the computer/ TV at least an hour before you go to bed becaused the light simulates your brain and prevents you from sleeping well. You could listen to your ipod before going to sleep if that helps.
You keep thinking before you go to sleep? Well that means you should keep a journal and write down all your thoughs and everything your worried about which will allow you to let go of axiety.
Remember, SEVENTEEN MAGAZINE.
ITS MY LIFE AND THATS HOW I LIVE. Gives advice with love, sleep, confidence, fashion, friends, and how to stay beautiful!
Oh wait I better get to bed now.
BYE!
kick the bucket
do some excercise
and work for part time
See anxiety treatments, at * ezy-build (below) in section 6. Set yourself a fixed limit for worrying about any particular subject, (say; 15 minutes) after which, resolve firmly to refuse to even consider that subject again on that day: realise and accept that to do otherwise would be counterproductive to your mental health, and enjoyment of life. Use the technique for reprogramming negative thoughts and internal monologue (self talk), on pages 2, and 2L, to help you in this, and consider carrying a wide rubber band in your pocket: put it on your wrist; stretch, and release, as a means of reinforcing it, and speeding up the process, re-pocketing it afterwards. Practice one of the relaxation methods on pages 2, 11, 2c, or 2i, daily, and when needed. Also, give the EFT version for use in public places, a good tryout, to see if it helps you (if you like, you can claim to have a headache, as you massage/lightly tap your temples) . Section 53, and pages 2, 2.q and 2.o at * http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris also refer. OOOOOOOOOOOOOO DEPRESSION: See depression treatments, at ezy-build *(below) in section 2, and consult a doctor, to eliminate thyroid problems, etc. as possible contributing factors: also seek a referral to a therapist using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy. It is your decision, and yours alone, as to whether to take any antidepressants offered, but, before you do, read section 1, and check medications out at www.drugs.com so you will be on the lookout for side effects, like sexual dysfunction. My strong recommendation, however, is to follow the advice of my doctor, his associate, and also Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP, and Dr. Mercola, as well, at http://www.mercola.com and avoid antidepressants (pages 2V, and 2Z refer, & antidepressant websites: page 2). The reasons why we all share the same view on this are explained in full, as you will find, if you read the whole section. All of their advice, (except prayer, because many people are not religious) I have incorporated into the "core treatments", including others as options, such as herbal remedies, Inositol, or SAMe. If you are diagnosed with clinical (major) depression, antidepressants may be necessary for a while, which will give the treatments time to become effective. The antidepressants themselves need at least several days, or even many weeks to become effective. It's a good idea to taper off them slowly, with medical advice, after several months, say, to a couple of years, at most, because they are only effective in the long term for about 30% of people. Because of this, you would be well advised to begin the treatments immediately, and maintain them. I'd just thank your mental health care provider, and pocket the prescription, trying the treatments for a few months, to see if they are sufficient for you, before considering filling it (unless clinically depressed, and having great difficulty functioning, or suicidal, in which case I'd take them). If the amount of daylight you have been exposed to recently has reduced, perhaps due to the change of seasons, see Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) in section 2, at * http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris and, instead of taking 4 Omega 3 fish oil supplements, daily; replace 2 of them with cod liver oil supplements for the winter months only! (or, as probably a better alternative to the 2 cod liver oil supplements: 1 teaspoonful of cod liver oil, with a little butter, to ensure its use; I take mine on sourdough rye bread, or toast, covered with fishpaste, and pepper, to mask the strong taste). Consider having your doctor test your vitamin D levels. Happiness is addressed in section 18, but the depression and anxiety need to be taken care of, first!