First trick:
Get out of your head and into your feet.
The body craves movement. Exercise really works. Let's not think of it as
exercise though. Nothing is gnarlier to the depressed person than
imagining him/herself at the gym in ill fitting sweats, panting on the stair
master while svelte athletes are bopping around in all directions.
As Woody Allen says, 90% of success is showing up. Once we've got our
walking shoes on, once we get endorphins cooking, the doldrums have
less power to penetrate .
Second Trick:
Turn on music! Now!
I recommend that my clients have an arsenal of inspiring and fun music
at their fingertips.
I have even been known to make CD's for my clients. When we're
depressed, the smallest task feels overwhelming. . If I can kick-start
someone's joy, then I am thrilled.
Third Trick:
Turn on the light and sit in the sun.
Many of us work in windowless cubicles or offices, and wonder why we
feel blue.
This time of year, when the sun sets earlier, we must 's dark out in
autumn and winter, get a light, get some sun, get some more sun. And if
there is no sun in your world, then buy a full-spectrum light. Get one
cheap on E-bay.
Fourth Trick:
Hang out with 4-leggeds. (Unless of course, you're allergic)
Having an animal companion near can instantly release oxytocin, that
magical hormone that we secrete when we fall in love, give birth, or are
nursing. It releases a feeling of goodwill, or trust in the world.
OK, so not all of all are blessed to be in love all the time, or be breast
feeding, so I recommend my clients find other ways to bring on the joy
chemical. Read on.
Fifth Trick:
Change your thoughts. Right now.
We have around 60,000.00 thoughts per day. 87% of them are negative
and are the same thoughts we had yesterday.
Experiencing joy is a deliberate choice. Joy takes practice. Joy is
h*.
I use realistic affirmations, which, at times are posted all over my room.
Notice I said realistic.
We must remember that affirmations don't make something happen, they
make something welcome.
People tell me, "I put an affirmation up on my bedroom wall, saying:" I
am ready to meet a gorgeous, successful, charming man who will adore
and worship me." It's been 3 months. Where is he?" I tell them; "You
have made yourself more open to meeting this human. Finding him is
another story. Sorry."
Sixth Trick:
Follow a joyous lifestyle. Choose joyous entertainment.
Find a class, a workout, anything that gets you in your body, preferably
sweating a bit.
Seventh Trick:
Affirm joy with words.
Rudyard Kipling said "I am by calling a dealer in words.. And words are
by far the most powerful drug in the world". It may seem trite, but
changing the way we speak can be extremely influential in changing our
moods.
Eighth Trick:
Grab hold of a goal.
Make it a do-able one. Happiness and joy come from goals. We mustn't
put off our lives.
Ninth Trick:
Cultivate a relationship with the divine.
We are whom our higher self wanted to experience.
There is some truth to the pithy phrase: There's no aetheists in foxholes.
Have a smidgens of faith and the world can be a gentler space..
Tenth Trick:
Choose joyous companions.
When we are depressed, we take our bored, sluggish selves wherever we
go. We need distractions. We need company. We need intimacy. It is
very important to be around authentic people. We need someone who
believes in us. No nay-sayers!
