Warding off Depression and Stress

Depression and stress hurt - boost health with a positive outlook

Mar 12, 2007 Maryan Pelland

Winter drags on, spring hasn't yet arrived. To cope, put some energy into making each day happier and healthier. Here are 21 ways.

1. Sing at the top of your lungs for five minutes by the clock. Don’t worry about neighbors, they need a mood lifter, too.

2. Set your alarm clock 15 minutes later than usual. What a luxury to ignore habits, sometimes.

3. Eat dark chocolate. Sit quietly. Eat tiny bites and allow them to dissolve very slowly on your tongue. Taste and feel.

4. Hold a baby. Use all five of your senses to experience the miracle. Then look deeply into her eyes. Do you see the collective knowledge of our past?

5. Walk a dog or play with a puppy. Try to emulate how they express emotion. No, really. No one will see.

6. Put on great music and clean something thoroughly or dance with abandon.

7. Finger paint. (Really!) Make a mess. Get real sloppy, enjoy the feel. Then clean it all up and hang your masterpiece in a conspicuous place.

8. Make tea with lots of lemon and sit in a sunny spot to sip it slowly. Breathe the scent. Weather bad? Sit in a sheltered place and watch the sky change moment by moment – it always does. Don’t miss it.

9. Watch a terrific comedy or your favorite old movie.

10. Make chicken soup and serve it to at least one friend.

11. Walk in the rain without an umbrella. Best done in warm weather.

12. Double your time in the shower - use very expensive soap. Slather it everywhere.

13. Send yourself or someone else flowers. If budget is a concern, buy the flowers at the grocery market and deliver them to the friend or to your kitchen table. Repeat as needed.

14. Jump rope for five minutes, even if you only step over the rope with each revolution.

15. Call someone you haven't spoken to in a long time and catch up. If you owe someone an apology, give a heartfelt one – you’ll feel sooo good!

16. Don't watch the news or read the paper unless you only read the comics.

17. Buy a new item of clothing or accessory that's brilliantly colored. Flaunt it.

18. Listen to some classical music all the way through. Feel the emotion.

19. Read poetry for a half hour. Then do it again tomorrow.

20. Take a long, warm bath with mood lighting and a lovely scent.

21. Visit someone who is housebound, hold their hand, and talk about soft, pleasant things.

The copyright of the article Warding off Depression and Stress in Seniors/Grandparents is owned by Maryan Pelland. Permission to republish Warding off Depression and Stress in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.