Beat Your Depression

What better way could there be to help us to overcome our depression than by giving and receiving healthy hugs?

They are environmentally friendly, can be found wherever there are people, cost nothing other than a moment of time, have no adverse side effects, and you cannot give one without receiving one in return. However, they can be contagious and addictive.

Years ago, in the early eighties, I was given a sheet of paper with a very short version of the power and value of hugs. I still have it somewhere in my memorabilia. It was titled “Healthy Hugs” and I used to keep a copy with me to show people so that I could solicit some hugs without being considered to be somewhat strange or a pervert.

There is no doubt that hugs give a person a mental lift and a feeling of well being. I can also understand the benefits of hugs in relation to raising children and the maternal instinct of mothers, and other women, to cuddle babies. “Cuddling and caressing make the growing child feel secure and is known to aid in self-esteem,” claims Dr Achal Bhagat, a Deli-based psychiatrist.

It is unfortunate that many men are reluctant to embrace each other with a hug as they are concerned that such actions may be considered not to be macho. It is time that this misconception is changed!

I admire those communities that are not affected by this perception. I, too, used to be concerned about the possibility of being misinterpreted or misunderstood when soliciting a hug. This has now changed, and I am fortunate that my adult children [two sons and a daughter] and my grandchildren offer to hug me.

Recently, I did a little research on this topic and found that there is considerable scientific evidence supporting the immense health benefits of hugging. Amongst this evidence is:-

The America Psychosomatic Association released a report in 2003 that found hugs make people healthier. It was a study conducted by psychological researchers at the University of North Carolina to figure out the correlation between hugs and health. They put 100 couples together and asked 50 couples each to watch fun videos holding hands and hug for 20 seconds afterwards.

The other 50 couples were told to watch movies without any physical contact. Later, all the participants were asked to talk about stress they recently experienced for two to three minutes.

The result showed that couples with no physical bonding had twice as high blood pressures and heartbeats than their counterparts.

The level of cortisol, a hormone secreted in response to stress, also went up [in those couples that had no physical bonding]. The effect of physical contact, or bonding, to unwind the body was scientifically proven.

———

We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth
—Virginia Satir, family therapist

So try it for yourself! Hug somebody, or at least hold hands for a while.

 New York University   Research News

Study Reveals How the Brain Generates the Human Tendency for Optimism
Wednesday, Oct 24, 2007

A neural network that may generate the human tendency to be optimistic has been identified by researchers at New York University. As humans, we expect to live longer and be more successful than average, and we underestimate our likelihood of getting a divorce or having cancer. The results, reported in the most recent issue of Nature, link the optimism bias to the same brain regions that show irregularities in depression.

The study was conducted by a team of researchers from the laboratory of NYU Professor Elizabeth Phelps. The lead author is Tali Sharot, now a post-doctoral fellow at University College London. ……….

“Our behavioral results suggest that while the past is constrained, the future is open to interpretation, allowing people to distance themselves from possible negative events and move closer toward positive ones,” said Phelps, a professor of psychology and neural science. “Understanding optimism is critical as optimism has been related to physical and mental health. On the other hand, a pessimistic view is correlated with severity of depression symptoms.” [more]

[You can learn to program your mind with the information contained in the Total Success Library.]

What a difference a sad event in someone’s life makes.
GEORGE CARLIN (His wife recently died…)

Isn’t it amazing that George Carlin – comedian of the 70’s and 80’s – could write something so very eloquent…and so very appropriate.

A Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways but narrower viewpoints.

We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time.

We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.

We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often

We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life.

We’ve added years to life not life to years.

We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbour.

We conquered outer space but not inner space. We’ve done larger things, but not better things.

We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We’ve conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less.

We plan more, but accomplish less.

We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait.

We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships.

These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes.

These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.

It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom.

A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete….

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn’t cost a cent

Remember, to say, ‘I love you’ to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

If you don’t recommend this to at least 8 people….Who cares?

George Carlin

How true this is!

From the above, it is easy to understand how the pressures of life on most of us, including the rich and famous, can cause so much misery, depression and discontent.

I believe that if we can all follow these recommendations, the problem of depression in the world will diminish considerably. Here is a complimentary quote:-

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”

– Leo Buscaglia

There is no doubt that happy and contented people seem to have very few problems with depression. They are generally calm, except when they are excited from having a good time, and they seldom seem to get stressed out. On the other hand, those people who suffer from depression are often stressed, withdrawn, melancholy, continually tired or exhausted, sad, and worry a lot, amongst other things.

This leads me to believe that, if people suffering from depression can become happy, perhaps their dark cloud of depression will lift and fade away. After all, the ancient Greeks believed [rightly so] that the best cure for melancholia was singing and dancing.

Now I know that there are some morbid and sad songs about and there are some theatrical dance routines that depict tragedy and pathos, but The ancient Greeks and I are referring to pleasant, happy music and dancing. Both singing and dancing stimulate the body to produce endorphins that are the body’s answer to opiates. The endorphins give us a natural high and make us feel good. This is why it is best to stop moping around if you happen to be depressed and DO something physical.

It is also good to take time out to do something new, or something that we have not allowed ourselves time for recently, but we thoroughly enjoy the activity. This compels us to concentrate on the activity at hand and to stop the continual re-visiting the past and ruminating about what should have been done, what could have been done, and what I should have said, blaming oneself for being foolish, etc. etc. ad nauseum. If you suffer, or have ever suffered, from depression, you will know what I am talking about.

I believe that we should always endeavor to be happy, calm, and contented, and live our lives in the present rather than in the past.

This is why I recommend the e-book, How To Find Happiness, written by Jennifer Summers. It is a great guide to health and happiness as attested to by Doctor Phyllis Gold, author of “Happiness – do what it takes” who said about How To Find Happiness:-

“If you want to increase your confidence and reduce the stress and anxiety in your life, then this program is second to none. It will make you happier and therefore healthier!”

The following article by Jennifer Summers Makes us think about how we spend our time and how we really need to re-think our priorities.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO TAKE ‘TIME OUT’

by Jennifer Summers

How many times have you continued working, knowing that you
are not giving 100% to the task at hand?

How many times have you read or written the same sentence
over and over again, as your mind keeps wandering and
thinking about other things?

How often have you wanted to take a break from the family
or kids but feared the consequences of doing so?

WHY DO WE NOT ALLOW OURSELVES THE TIME TO TAKE ‘TIME OUT’?

There are many genuine reasons for needing to complete jobs
and tasks, however we may also on occasion have ‘hidden
agendas’ as to why we cannot stop for a break. Some of
these reasons might be:

* EGO – Some people simply enjoy boasting about, ‘how late
they had to work in order to complete a project’ or ‘how
much effort they invested in order to complete the job so
quickly’ – this type of person is often looking to impress
others with their efforts, thereby increasing their ego in
the process.

* TIME – “I can’t stop, I just have to get this finished”.
Does this sound familiar? “I can’t stop because the job has
to be finished, WHY? So I can move straight on to the next
thing, and the next, and the next etc…” this person will
find that there is always something that has to be done,
which will constantly prevent him/her from taking a break.

* THE NEED TO BE NEEDED – A mother managing the household,
kids and other chores may feel as if her household will
collapse if she were to put her feet up or take a weekend
off! By not taking a break she can keep convincing herself
that her role is crucial and the family would collapse
without her input. This may indeed be true, but is still
not a good enough reason to prevent her having a rest!

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF TAKING A BREAK?

Allowing your mind and/or body to rest can help re-focus
your attention, sharpen your wits and increase motivation.
In addition, taking time out helps to relieve stress, can
aid the recovery of tired muscles and also promotes the
discovery that there is more to life than just work.

I once asked an athlete what the most important element of
his training routine was and he answered, ‘rest’. He told
me that his muscles needed ‘time’ to repair after an
intensive workout session, so he was very strict in
allowing himself enough recuperation time between training
sessions. Giving himself this time off allowed him to go on
and become one of the most popular men in his sport.

I also know from my own work and writing, that sometimes my
mind feels blank but after some time out, I can return to
the subject matter with fresh eyes and a clear mind and it
all seems much easier.

HOW LONG SHOULD A BREAK BE AND WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

A break can be anything from a 10-minute meditation
session to a year’s trip around the world, and anything
in-between. I define a break as, ‘something that takes
your mind off a preoccupation’. So depending on the time
you wish to avail towards relaxing you may enjoy reading,
watching a movie, cooking, playing with the kids, riding a
motorbike or driving, exercising or doing sports,
travelling or simply sleeping!

REMEMBER, WHATEVER IT IS THAT YOU ENJOY DOING:

1. Allow yourself (time off) to do it.

2. Do not feel guilty (about taking time off).

3. Enjoy the benefits (time off) will give you.

4. Understand that no matter how important you are (or
feel you are) life will continue (in the office, at
home, on the playing field) whilst you enjoy a break.

So, if you’re feeling tired, unmotivated or just in need of
a rest, don’t be a martyr or look negatively at this. You
may actually find that in reality, allowing yourself a break
will actually help you ultimately become more efficient and
effective in every part of your life.

Thank you for allowing yourself a five-minute break to read
this.

Happy relaxing,
Jennifer Summers
http://www.howtofindhappiness.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The author Jennifer Summers has developed a TOOLKIT called
“How To Find Happiness”. Get Stress Busting Exercises &
Techniques, excellent guides to Time and Anger Management
plus lots more. A must for you to manage your stress and
gain a new perspective on life.

A “Must Have” toolkit that can simply transform your life!
Click here now ===> http://www.howtofindhappiness.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

© How To Corporation. All rights reserved.

If we take time out to spend by ourselves or relaxing with our family and friends how much better would our lives be? Are we living or merely existing? How much would we reduce the stressors in our lives if we just put some time aside for ourselves? This book is certainly worth a read and may turn out to be our salvation.

Check it out here!