Home » Depression
Tag:

Depression

Senior Woman Sitting On Sofa At Home Suffering From Depression
Healthy Living

You Can Turn Mind Chatter Off Whenever You Choose

by Kendall VanBlarcom
written by Kendall VanBlarcom

When life is fun and you’re laughing away, you’re probably not judging people or situations in a negative or harmful way, right? That’s because you haven’t allowed your mind chatter to occupy any time or space in your thoughts. But what about those days that don’t feel so fun and you’re frowning or crying at every little thing?

How do you handle your days or moments when you can’t seem to turn your negative mind chatter off? Maybe you rationalize that everyone has conversations going on in their heads. Certainly, you can’t be the only one on the planet? Personal consulting can help.

What is Mind Chatter Anyway?

Maybe you’re wondering what mind chatter is and how consultants and life coaches can help you turn off “the noise” or as some people refer to it, “the voice that doesn’t go away.” Mind chatter most frequently occurs in men and women who are anxious or are going through a depressed feeling as a result of some unpleasant life experience or a negative outlook.

Evidence of Mind Chatter

The easiest way to tell if you are experiencing mind chatter is you will catch yourself judging, predicting outcomes, and having irrational thoughts and dialogues with yourself that are not positive. In fact, mind chatter accuses, lies, twists the circumstances, and makes everything look dark and ugly, as if there’s no way out.

Dialogue in Your Head

Mind chatter takes many avenues of negative speech in your head, depending on your circumstances. It’s almost as if someone has a concealed video camera inside your head, and then once a statement is spoken, your mind responds by listening to the lies that your mind’s messages are trying to convince you are real. Here’s a shortlist, just so you get the idea:

  • Going to the store today would be a waste of makeup and hair products; I think I’ll just stay home.
  • I can’t go to that event tonight. I’ve gained too much weight, and I have nothing to wear that can conceal my huge belly.
  • I don’t deserve to have fun tonight at that celebration party, so I’ll just go to a movie by myself in case anyone wonders why I’m not there.
  • I don’t do well in crowds, and I know hundreds of people will be there tonight.
  • I’m just not good enough or smart enough to hang with those people at the convention today.

 

The examples above reveal mind chatter—negative reasons why you can’t, won’t, or refuse to do something.

Three Quick Solutions for Getting Rid of Mind Chatter

Certainly it’s up to you and someone you consult with to help you transition into an everyday state of mind that doesn’t criticize and condemn everything, including yourself. But until you can get time to work with someone, here are three quick solutions that can help you overcome mind chatter.

1. Play your most favorite music, close your eyes, and then sing along or dance to the music.

2. Sit in a comfortable chair or lie down on your bed. Then close your eyes and breathe really deep, exhaling with force and concentrating on your breathing. Breathe in through your nose and breathe out through your mouth. Do this 10-15 times and think only about your breathing.

3. Verbally create a list of things that you’re grateful for today. Make your own rule that says you can’t repeat the same gratitude. See how many gratuities you can come up with during that one relaxation session.

When mind chatter begins eroding your positive train of thought, turn the moment around with one of the three solutions you’ve just learned; before you know it, you’ll feel better and your mind chatter will have been removed.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
The Quest to Be Happy
Aging

The Quest to Be Happy

by Carol Marak
written by Carol Marak

People put a lot of energy into being happy and joyful. I for one seem to obsess about the emotion. In my Facebook group, members express concerns about finding happiness and many seem to discover it. In general, people want financial stability, good health, money in the bank, food on the table, good friends, an interesting hobby or two, and satisfying activities. That’s not a lot to ask for, right? The Quest to Be Happy

So, why do so many struggle to find it? Over the years, I’ve learned that the word, happy, can deceive us. If I judge my happiness based on a perception of others’ success will sabotage I ever achieve it.
What I’ve found is that some truly believe that happiness is like a gene and whether you’re born with it or not, depends on your birth status, and heritage. That’s very far from the truth.
While others embrace a mindset of positive thinking, I favor this strategy over any other. However, those who suffer from mental illnesses like depression will argue, rightfully so. For them, the brain cannot work correctly and create happy feelings due to a chemical imbalance. It is a disability. And please don’t think that an unhappy depressed person is just not doing enough. Unless you’ve ever experienced depression, it’s hard to grasp.
If you want to find consistent joy and happiness, or contentment, here are a few skills that I’ve learned to apply.

  • Be grateful for what I have and not focus on what I don’t have. The biggest lesson for me is to be thankful. Each day I take a few minutes to list a few things I’m grateful for in life.
  • Don’t compare yourself to others. A very deceiving influence. A savvy therapist once told me, “A situation is never as it seems. If you’d walk in their shoes, you’d see an entirely different side.”
  • Give to others. People are self-absorbed and crave for attention and connection. So, my favorite is to greet a person with a smile no matter where I am; out on a walk, shopping, or
  • Do the things you enjoy or learn how to do the things you want to do. Go back to school or take a class if it requires a skill. For me, it was writing. It’s taken a couple of years and a few classes but I’m doing it.
  • Change your life if you can. For years, I’ve yearned to live in a walkable community. After much deliberation and forethought, I live in a place that fits me and how I want to live.
  • Forgive those who have hurt you or tries to control you. And more importantly, forgive yourself for the mistakes you’ve made. Ask those you have hurt to forgive you. Then, let it go.
    Aging: Finding Joy in Your Life Again Quest to Be Happy
0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Healthy Living

How to Keep a Productive Mindset During the Whole Day

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

Nowadays, everybody is busy. Even little children are busy with their own things. Most adults wake up every morning with tons of activities waiting to be performed. As a father, CEO, essay writer or lawyer, you know what I’m talking about.

The only people who succeed in this world are those who know how to manage their time and productivity effectively. People who can’t manage their time well never get the most important things done and this pulls them down like a sea anchor.

If you’ve been struggling to maintain a productive mindset, you’ve come to the right place. Today, we are going to discuss a few great tips that will help you maintain a productive mindset the entire day. Let’s get started!

Put it down on paper

You should write down every activity or project you are expected to work on. Assignment writers Australia agree that writing down things organizes your mind and reduces the amount of energy needed trying to remember the tasks. You should prepare this list preferably at night before you sleep or when you wake in the morning. After creating the list, organize the activities, organize them in order of priority.

Start with the most important task and progress until you are through with the list. Start working on the most important task until you complete it successfully. Then move on to the next task. Never progress to task 2 when task 1 is not complete.

There is no point in starting something and failing to finish. It’s better not to start at all. But if you want to maintain a productive mindset, you have to work hard on your tasks and stick with them to completion.

Start with the difficult task

No one loves working on difficult tasks. However, the most difficult tasks are usually the most rewarding if done efficiently and completed successfully. It’s easy for us to fall into the trap of starting with the easiest task and progressing to harder tasks.

People who do this never complete the most important tasks and that’s why they never succeed. Starting with the hard task boosts your energy and motivation as you progress with the easier tasks. Completing a hard task is a powerful confidence booster.

Eliminate distractions

The number one killer of productivity and effectiveness is distractions. In the past, it used to be either a knock on the door or a phone call. Nowadays, we have distractions around us every time. The tools we use to work with can easily distract us. How many times have you gone into the office to work only to find yourself chatting with your friends or watching videos on YouTube? It’s absolutely amazing how much time is wasted unconsciously.

You have to take back control of your time and life. Say no to distractions. Switch off your phone or keep it away. Turn off the notifications on your computer. Block sites that will waste your time using the right apps. Focusing on your work and completing your tasks will help you achieve your goals easily and quickly.

Take short breaks

No matter how hard you love to work, there is always a limit. Scientists have conducted a series of research and found that concentration levels start declining after 90 minutes of focus. Even if you have a pile of paperwork to work on, you should take short breaks after 90 minutes.

Taking a short break will help your mind and body refresh and recover the energy you need to be more productive. During the short break, you can take a walk, go for a jog, meditate, chat with friends or drink a glass of water.

Eat healthy foods

How does the food you eat affect your productivity and energy levels? In every way. Poor health is mainly caused by eating foods that add no value to your body such as junk food. Have you ever noticed how you felt after eating a vegetable salad vs fries and burgers?

The most productive people eat the right foods to keep themselves fit and energized. It’s important to consult your nutritionist if you are having a hard time knowing the right food to eat.

Exercise regularly

Exercise not only improves your physical health but also your mental health. If you want to have a productive mindset you have to get out and exercise every day.

This does not mean you have to hit the gym every day. You can leave your car or motorbike at home and walk to the office. Getting your heart racing will boost your creativity and moods.

Learn to say no

Why do the majority of people say yes when they should be saying no? You see, saying yes is easy. You don’t have to quarrel or disagree with anyone. However, it’s really costing you in the long run. The most successful people say no to almost everything. And you should too.

You should not let other people dictate how your day is going to be. Saying no will make other people respect you and your plans. Once you learn how to say no, you’ll never complain or explain.

Delegate

You should not be working on everything that appears on your list. Your main goal should be to complete the most important tasks that can only be done by you. If others can do the same work, delegate the task.

As the popular saying goes, two heads are better than one. By delegating tasks, you will have more time to focus on the most important tasks. You’ll also get more work done at the end of the day.

Conclusion

Time management is the foundation of success and achievement. People who don’t know how to manage their time effectively have no chance in our competitive world. You can have a productive mindset the whole day by practicing the tips discussed above as soon as you can. Get started now! You have nothing to lose.

 

By Isabell Gaylord

Isabell is a writer and a journalist who contributes to Rush Essayand MyAssignmenta lot. She can spend hours with a cup of latte in one hand and an exciting book in another and enjoys spending time with interesting people as she believes they bring her strength and inspiration. Follow Isabell on Twitter.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Face of blonde senior woman wearing mask for protection from corona virus outbreak at the park
Seniors & Covid

Tips to manage stress and anxiety

by Carol Marak
written by Carol Marak

If you’re feeling anxious and stressed over the recent adversity and hard times, I feel you. Thousands of Americans are in the same boat. You are not alone.

Whether you’re worried about the unsettled economy, your job, or the “not so peaceful” protests, each of these are disturbing. If ignored, they can affect your mental and physical health.

Stress can be a physical reaction to feeling confused and frustrated by a situation. It will affect your sleep, eating patterns, and emotional health. Over the years, I’ve discovered a few ways to help myself through troubling times. I’d like to share them in hopes you can find peace and relaxation to ease your mind and emotions.

Tips to Manage Stress

Practice Meditation or Prayer – Sit and breathe deeply for a minute or two. Then visualize white light or a sense of goodness flowing through your body and into each of your cells while continuing the deep breathing. Do this for at least 10 minutes. At the end send your love and peace out to the world.

Exercise – Walk outside for at least 30 minutes a day. Being outside in nature helps me stay healthy and releases negative thoughts and tension. Fresh air is good for the body.

Eat Nutritious Foods – Diet is so important when mitigating stress. Add more vegetables, fruit, legumes and healthy snacks and less sugar and meats. High levels of sugar and carbohydrates can raise your stress level and play havoc on the immune system.

Take a Break from the News – The latest news can throw your stress in a tizzy. So, don’t tune in all day. Go outside and look at greenery and flowers.

Journaling – My favorite way to rid my stress is to record my feelings and to write about my confusion, frustration, and anger. With everything that’s happening, it’s easy to feel anxious or confused. However, there is always something to be grateful for. I end my morning “pages” with gratitude. I write three uplifting things that happened that morning or the day before. This helps change my perspective and reminds me where I need to put my energy.

Talk with a Friend – Just talking to someone about how you feel can be helpful. Talking distracts me from my stressful thoughts and releases built-up tension by discussing it. Having constant tension clouds my judgement and can prevent me from seeing things clearly. Talk things out with a friend, or a trained professional. You will find solutions to cope with stress and put your problems into perspective.

Carol Marak, aging advocate, and editor at Seniorcare.com. She’s earned a Certificate in the Fundamentals of Gerontology from UC Davis, School of Gerontology.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Caregiving

Normal Caregiver Emotions

by Kathy Macaraeg
written by Kathy Macaraeg

Guess what? You’re not alone. Anyone who tells you they are happy every minute of every day is probably lying. Not all caregiving tasks are fun and not all moments are pleasant.

Negative Caregiver Emotions

You may feel guilty feeling these emotions, or not want to express them out loud, but these emotions are totally normal and it is highly likely that every caregiver has felt them at one time or another.

Resentment:

Whether you resent the situation (why did my spouse have to get in an accident) or you resent the cause (if my mom didn’t smoke, she wouldn’t have been this sick) or the change to your lifestyle (I used to have time to go out with my friends or travel), feelings of resentment are common.

Accepting these feelings and understanding that they are normal is the first step to feeling better. Once you’ve accepted these feelings, find a way to re-frame your mindset. Instead of thinking, why did my spouse have to get into an accident, think, I’m so glad I still have my spouse in my life. Instead of thinking, why did mom have to smoke and cause these health problems, think, I am going to take better care of myself so that my later years aren’t filled with doctor appointments and illness. Instead of thinking, I used to have a full life and now I am just a caregiver, think of ways to bring joy back into your life. It may not be in big ways like in the past, but find daily ways to feel happy.

Anger:

It is perfectly normal to feel anger when you are dealing with tasks that you don’t want to do or your caree is less than grateful for what you do. You may also feel anger if you are dealing with a financial impact of caregiving. It can be expensive to be a caregiver. Loss of work, out of pocket expenses that are not covered by insurance and paying for conveniences because you are too busy to do things yourself can all add up.

If you feel anger over doing tasks that are difficult or that you don’t enjoy, consider hiring a caregiver to assist with those tasks. Perhaps you bring someone in just for personal care or certain cleaning tasks. Practice shortcuts and cost-cutting tips to help with the fact that you’re bleeding money. And finally, consider keeping a gratitude journal to focus on the things you are thankful for or do some of these three minute stress busters to help blow off steam.

Anxiety:

Anxiety can be a normal emotion for anyone in these crazy busy times. We are expected to be accessible all the time, thanks to smart phones, and life is moving at a faster pace than ever before. Add in the stress of caregiving and the fear of your loved one falling more ill or watching their health decline and it’s no wonder your anxiety levels are at an all-time high.

Try coping techniques to reduce your anxiety. Meditate, go for a walk, take a hot shower or do whatever helps you relax. You can also join a caregiver support group either in person or online to speak to others in the same boat. If your anxiety is unusually high and self-care is not working, see your doctor. You may need to re-set your body through medication. There is no shame in reaching out for help.

Boredom or Impatience:

It is not strange to feel bored with your new role. You probably had a full-time job where you interacted with people on a daily basis and a full social life. Suddenly, you’re spending the majority of your time with someone who needs your help with menial tasks and not feeling challenged. You may also get impatient with how slowly your loved one moves or their inability to do simple tasks. These are normal feelings.

To cope with the boredom or impatience, find ways to challenge yourself or engage with others. If you can’t get away for several hours, consider online courses or support groups. You don’t need to leave the house to interact with others.

Loneliness:

Caregiving can be isolating. There aren’t enough hours in the day to foster friendships, so you tend to spend all of your time with your caree, who may not be the best company. If you had a full social life in the past, it can be even more frustrating to be left out of your social circle.

If possible, enlist other family members, friends or neighbors to provide you with time away. Whether you get a lunch away or a night in a hotel, just getting out of the house, among others will help with loneliness. You can also reach out to your friends via phone, email or text. Sometimes, they stop reaching out because they don’t know if it’s a good time to chat or what you need. Take the first step. If you are having trouble relating to people from your former life, join a support group either on- or off-line.

While these may feel like terrible emotions to admit to when caring for someone you love, they are totally normal and you should not feel embarrassed that you feel them. Find ways to re-frame them and pull yourself out of the funk. If you feel that you can’t do it on your own, reach out to a counselor for help. You don’t have to live an unhappy life while you are caring for others.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Teaching aged man
Healthy Living

How to Fire Up Your Motivation and Overcome Depression

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions and affects people of every age, gender, and ethnicity. It is also widespread among seniors.

According to Mental Health America, over 2 million out of 34 million Americans aged 65 and older suffer from depression brought by either an existing health condition or negative life circumstances.

Depression has many symptoms depending on the form, but the most common involve apathy and helplessness. And while the treatment for depression requires medicinal support and therapy, seniors can alleviate these symptoms by boosting their motivation.

what are the most optimal ways for seniors to induce motivation?

Here are a few useful suggestions.

1. Commit to Exercises but Don’t Overdo It

There’s been a ton of research proving the positive effects of exercise on motivation for people who suffer from anxiety and depression.

One of the most recent studies from the McMaster University involved a group of healthy men aged 65 and older who had pre-diagnosed depression and had to follow an exercise protocol for 12 weeks.

The results showed that exercise helped turn on certain genes within the skeletal muscle. These genes impact the main metabolic pathways that trigger the production of mood-enhancing chemicals, such as serotonin, which helps boost motivation.

Exercise undoubtedly helps seniors become more active and motivated, but it’s essential to keep it within limits, especially if you have serious health conditions. You can start with light balance exercises and move to something more active when you feel stronger.

2. Start Learning a Foreign Language with a Native Speaker

Mental activity is another way to boost motivation. It helps distract you from negative thoughts, self-reproach, the feeling of helplessness, and apathy. And one of the best mental activities you can do on an ongoing basis is learning a foreign language.

Why?

The process of learning a new language is complex. You not only learn grammar and vocabulary, but you also enhance your cultural knowledge, learn the customs and traditions of the people who speak a particular language. Hence, learning a foreign language promoted flexible thinking and open-mindedness, effectively distracting you from negativity.

The best way to start learning a foreign language is with a native speaker because no one else will help you understand the language and its peculiarities.

Besides, some languages are impossible to master without a native speaker. For instance, if you decide to learn French, you’ll have to learn the proper pronunciation, which is very difficult unless you have a native speaker working with you.

But, like with physical exercise, don’t overwork yourself with foreign languages. One or two hours a week are enough to keep your brain working and keep your memory functioning.

3. Do Gardening Activities to Unwind

Lastly, you can try gardening as a daily motivation booster. It can be any gardening activity – from a couple of plants in your apartment to an entire backyard full of fruit trees and vegetables.

Research says that gardening is a meditative activity that helps alleviate the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Reportedly, gardening is associated with emotional regulation and promotes mindfulness.

Gardening is the act of caring, and that’s why it is a great motivational activity. It is also an ongoing activity and can be a part of your life regardless of the season or weather.

Much like exercising and learning a foreign language, gardening distracts you from negative behaviors. It is also closely connected with work therapy which doctors often use to help treat severe depression and other mental health conditions.

Final Thoughts

The advantages of all three activities are obvious – they help your brain produce more serotonin, bringing more motivation and productivity. But all these activities only work together with the right treatment and other factors, such as support from your family and your readiness to commit to overcoming depression.

Also, when choosing the activity to boost motivation, think about what you’re comfortable with and what will suit your physical health. And remember – everything is good in moderation. You can even try all three activities, but be gentle with yourself, listen to your needs, and focus on your well-being. This is the only way to tackling depression and anxiety successfully.

Ryan is a passionate writer who likes sharing his thoughts and experience with the readers. Currently, he works as a digital marketing specialist; you can his website here. He likes everything related to traveling and new countries.

 

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Senior woman
Healthy Living

5 Ways to Start a Gratitude Practice

by Kendall VanBlarcom
written by Kendall VanBlarcom

Practicing gratitude can decrease stress, increase optimism, and improve your well-being. This is because negative thoughts can be very draining. So, changing your outlook and focusing on the positives in your life can help pave your path to healing.

If you need help finding thankfulness in your life, reach out for counseling. Talking about your problems, and recognizing the good you already have in your life, can lead to more happiness and fulfillment while reducing stress and depression.

Below are a handful of gratitude exercises, pick one or two and incorporate them into your daily routine.

Compliment Yourself

Recognize something positive about yourself and give yourself praise. Too often, people put themselves down for past mistakes. Forgive yourself and recognize all of the good you have in your life now. For example, you could tell yourself you are thankful for your patience in dealing with difficult circumstances. Or, you could state that you are grateful for your ability to organize your home efficiently.

Share a Compliment

Just as people get in the habit of noticing their own faults, it’s common for individuals to be quick to complain about the people close to them, too. Take a moment to consider the things you appreciate about individuals in your life. Express gratitude to a friend, partner, or child. Choose something you specifically enjoy about the person and share that with them. If your child is a good parent, tell them. If you appreciate the meals your partner prepares, let them know you appreciate their cooking skills.

Remind Yourself

To establish a new routine of gratitude, you’ll need to enforce the new behavior. Place a note on your refrigerator reminding you to practice gratitude. Or, if you are often on a laptop or phone, set an alarm for a daily moment of gratitude. Consistently acknowledging the positive will eventually come naturally.

Make a Gratitude Jar

Find an empty, clean jar and place it somewhere you’ll see it twice day. Ideally, in the morning and at night. Possible ideas include placing the jar next to your bed or near your toothbrush. When you are near the jar or bowl, take a moment to think of something you are thankful for and add a coin or two, acknowledging your blessings. Then, once the container is filled, share your gratitude by giving the money away, as a donation or a gift.

Or, write down something you are thankful for each day and add the slip of paper to your gratitude jar instead. Then, if a time comes when you are feeling stressed or anxious, calm yourself by opening the jar and reading through your notes.

How to Feel Grateful During Stressful Times

While expressing gratitude during difficult times can be taxing, it is still important. You can acknowledge things are difficult now, and honor your feelings, while still finding aspects of life to appreciate. After all, research shows that grateful people report lower levels of depression and stress, even when life is demanding and hard to understand.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Supporting wife
Healthy Living

Feeling Overwhelmed? Here are Three Solutions You Can Use Today

by Kendall VanBlarcom
written by Kendall VanBlarcom

Whether you’re single, divorced, or married, many feel overwhelmed. Everyone has good days and bad days. Sometimes you want to write down your gratitudes because you’re so filled with joy. But at other times, it would be difficult in your own frame of mind to even conjure up three reasons why you are grateful to crawl out of bed in the morning.

If you need a helping hand, reserve a personal consulting session to explore ways to eliminate your frustrations.

Are You Feeling Overwhelmed?

Maybe you’re living in a state of chaos because there’s so much going on in your life. Or maybe you’re just feeling totally depleted. If one more person gets in your face and asks you to do something, well… it makes you want to scream, “No! No! No! I can’t take on anything more!”

As humans, we have many choices about how to achieve a solution, especially when we’re feeling overwhelmed. But today, you will discover three solutions that you can apply to your life immediately, and that you can use over and over again whenever you’re feeling overwhelmed. Let’s get started.

Actions to Help

1. Among the many demands on your time, focus on two priorities that you would like to accomplish today. Don’t feel guilty about your big laundry list of things to do. Just choose two things. If you’re in a revenue-based situation, then choose the top two jobs that will create income right away.

2. Change up the way that you start your day. Everyone has their own routine. But, what if you didn’t do things today the same way that you have always done them? Would that change your outlook and attitude? Choose one thing, alter it, and then move forward.

For example, maybe when you get up in the morning, you have a light breakfast, make your coffee and drink it. Or if you’re a parent, perhaps you put out the breakfast for your children or maybe you select the clothes that they will wear that day. Change it up! Go outside and do 20 jumping jacks. Or, sit on the floor, close your eyes, picture a favorite place that you would like to be in, and sing your favorite song. Yes, it might sound silly, but no one’s watching. Give yourself permission for 15 minutes to do whatever you want to do. It’s guaranteed to totally change your outlook and attitude.

3. Asking for what you want or asking for help is sometimes the most difficult thing for people to do. But I challenge you: Ask for help! When we reach out to another human being and ask for help, of course, they can say yes, or they can say no. But the true value in this life exercise is that you don’t have to do everything by yourself. Keep asking until you find someone who is willing to help you.

You Don’t Have to Feel Overwhelmed

Feeling overwhelmed is not an emotion that is uniquely yours. You might think that it is, but if you were to ask friends, family, or total strangers, the majority of them, if they are honest, would admit that they are overwhelmed, too.

You don’t have to feel overwhelmed. If you look at the boundaries that you have set and established in your life (you have done that, haven’t you?), and you feel good about the fact that you are doing the very best that you can do, then there’s no more reasons for feeling overwhelmed.

How do you manage your life when you’re feeling overwhelmed? Tell me your story. I’m sure it will help other people who are feeling overwhelmed.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
happy senior woman with eyeglasses
Healthy Living

When Was the Last Time You Had a True Feeling of Joy?

by Kendall VanBlarcom
written by Kendall VanBlarcom

Joy can mean many things depending on who you are talking to and how you present the question. But the definition of joy remains the same, it is a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. Do you remember the last time you felt joyful?

What Is a Joy Journal?

Do you keep a joy journal for those times when you experience a true feeling of joy? Most don’t, although keeping a gratitude journal and recording times of happiness can be beneficial for your health. Even if you don’t keep a journal, when you are joyful, you may find the event is recorded in your mind and your memory. You just have to choose whether you want to remember it.

Some would consider that pleasure brings joy, but that’s an individual response, too. Because people have different interests and find pleasure from different situations. But let me ask you this: does joy depend on someone else helping to create that joy for you? Or if you have a favorite pasttime, would it be possible for you to experience that pleasure alone and totally independent of anyone else?

What Is the True Feeling of Joy?

I once heard it said that when a circumstance is bittersweet, it’s the idea that something broken and uncomfortable is happening while something else makes even the darkest nights sparkle with light. If you believe that there is hope in every heartbreak and that to rejoice you must overcome some phenomenal event or sadness, then does that produce joy?

Consider that perhaps joy is a simple happiness. It knows no rules, no boundaries. It just is! But what about expectations? Can they overshadow an otherwise joyful moment, day, evening, or experience?

Joy, you might say, is the most infallible sign of the presence of God and a supernatural and euphoric sensation that’s contagious, if you allow it to be. Now, wait, before you begin to get out your bow and arrows to shoot down this idea, let me ask you this: Have you ever been in public and felt the pull of a strong universal magnet of joy, laughter, or temporary glee that caught you off guard because someone around you was feeling a HUGE measure of joy?

Joy Is Contagious

Let me state that another way. Joy is contagious. Even if you’re angry, sad, depressed, and having the worst day ever…for a fleeting moment, you can witness a scene that rips your heart apart with uncontrolled feelings of love, hope, happiness and tears. It triggered a supernatural sensation inside your heart that, just for a moment, allowed you to forget about yourself, and celebrate in the here and now of someone feeling joy.

So let me ask you again, when was the last time you felt joy, and can you share that moment with me?

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts