How to Beat Depression and to prevent it from Coming Back

The diagnosis “depression”, while it may sound terrible to the one suffering from this mental disorder in the first instance, actually has lost much of its scariness over the past decades due to much better means to beat depression than available in the past.

In addition, the causes of depression are also known in much more detail leading to an increased likelihood to find further new treatments to beat depression within the next years. The first line of treatment for depression sufferers is without doubt the use of anti-depressants prescribed by a medical practitioner, usually combined with some kind of talk therapy by a psychotherapist. In cases of mild depression the use of alternative methods to beat depression, such as herbal remedies (in particular St. John’s wort) may be indicated.

Apart of those treatment options, which are more or less driven by the patient’s doctor, there are many supportive measures a depressed patient can and should actively use in order to increase his chances to beat depression and to prevent it from coming back once he has been successfully treated.Among the most important patient-driven activities that can help to beat depression are a healthy diet and sports. It has been shown over and over again that a proper nutritional mix of fruits and vegetables, fish, milk products and meat has a profound positive effect on the depressed patient (apart of generally increasing ones health). Vitamin- and mineral supplements may also be added to such a healthy diet.

It is also well known that activities such as brisk walking, jogging or any other kind of sports, if pursued in reasonable quantities, are very helpful. Another important step to be taken that helps to beat depression is to mingle with other people such as family members and friends as much as possible. It is commonly very hard for any depressed patient to do this especially during acute phases of depression, since having no real interest in or even an aversion for meeting people is one of the common symptoms of depression.

However, if a patient can push himself (or can be pushed by a caring friend) to meet people and to enjoy himself (as much as possible under the given circumstances) much can be gained. Getting lots of sleep and the possibility to relax and to avoid stress at work and at home are further important stepping stones on the way to beat depression. Especially the strong positive correlation of stress to depression and many other diseases has been repeatedly shown. While stress avoidance in itself is a good means to beat depression further support can be provided by special relaxation techniques and meditation.

Finally, another important contributor to furthering the chances to successfully beat depression is to increase the self-confidence of the depressed patient, since this mood disorder often is connected to a weak self-confidence and even self-hate. Concluding, there are many ways to beat depression in addition to depression medication and talk therapy. A combination of all of the mentioned activities will significantly improve the chances to beat depression and to prevent it from coming back.

To check out what possibilities exist to beat depression and to prevent it visit http://www.beatdepression.org/, your information portal on depression.

10 tips to combat depression

10 tips to reduce depression

Depression can be crippling, devastating. It can cause a person to withdraw from everyone he loves and stop doing activities that he once enjoyed. It can cause a deep despair and social isolation that is overwhelming. Victims of depression encounter memory problems, sleep disruption or a need to sleep excessively, a sense of hopelessness and an inability to join the rest of the world. Depression afflicts an estimated 19 million Americans, and they cant just snap out of it.Although there are ways to ease some symptoms of depression, sometimes medication therapy is needed for a person to fully enjoy a life without depression. However, there are some free tips that you can try if you have the blues.

1. Talk to SomeoneMarriage counselors, church patriarchs, school counselors, and life coaches can be very helpful. If you do not feel comfortable speaking with a counselor, talk to a close friend or write in a journal.

2. Start an Exercise ProgramSome daily exercise can really boost your mood and energy. Aerobic exercise will raise your heart rate, boost your metabolism, and allow the body to naturally release mood enhancing endorphins.

3. Eat Fresh FoodStart a garden. Raise some chickens (for the eggs). Buy organic products? Eat plenty of fiber (fruits and vegetables) in order to cleanse your body from toxins and preservatives and junk from processed foods. Make sure that you consume colorful fruits and vegetables. When you are healthy, you feel more vibrant and full of energy!

4. Avoid SugarSugar can cause serious problems, especially if your depression is combined with anxiety. Sugar can increase your anxiety, give you a let down when you come down off of a sugar high and it can hinder your immune system, making you more susceptible to illness. Frequent illnesses can contribute to depression.

5. Avoid CaffeineCaffeine brings you up - then drops you like a rock. Like sugar, it will also contribute to your anxiety and depression. Try drinking at least 8 glasses of water everyday.

6. Avoid NicotineNicotine is a stimulant so it will help me when I am depressed, right? No. It acts in the body much like caffeine. It can make you feel better for a short while, but in the long run, will only increase your depression. The stimulant in nicotine can increase your anxiety. Long term smoking will cause more upper respiratory health conditions and more free radicals in the body, causing the immune system to be weak, allowing for feelings of depression. Some people also feel depressed because they cannot quit smoking.

7. Try MeditationMeditation can do wonders for alieving feelings of depression. There are various forms of meditation from conscious breathing to guided meditation to creative imagery. Find a form that works for you and practice. The focus and peace does wonders for a troubled spirit.

8. Get Enough SleepYou don't want to get too much sleep, but having a sleep deficiency can also bring on anxiety. Try to get about 8 hours of good sleep every night.

9. Use More LightSitting or working in the dark will add to your depression. Natural light is better than artificial light too. So open the windows and shutters and replace small lights and light bulbs with bigger and brighter ones.

10. Get a Horse-Having a pet can substantially reduce your depression and anxiety. Just the act of stroking an animal can lower your blood pressure and calm you. If you have allergies, you can check out certain breeds of dogs, such as Chihuahuas that do not seem to irritate and incite allergic reactions.

Spencer Hunt is a wellness consultant who has used glyconutritionals to help clients with Alzheimers, diabetes, Lupus, or to just have more energy http://www.ifoundhealth.com. He has even worked with people with cancers such as Kidney (Renal Cell) Cancer, Endometrial Cancer, Breast Cancer, and Melanomas.

Holosync may not be able to compete

People who have previously used Holysync as a self-help technique now have another option. If you don't know what Holosync is, I'll tell you. Basically it uses audio programming with binaural beats to change brain wave activity. Changing brain wave activity brings on a meditative state much faster than self-meditation, and can reduce stress.

Ongoing studies show that reducing stress using meditation techniques have a variety of benefits, including Lowering Cholesterol (American Heart Association); reducing chronic pain, anxiety, and high blood pressure (National Institutes of Health),lowers blood pressure (American Journal of Hypertension) and improves artery health by as much as 69 percent (American Heart Association).Holosync is not the only way to quickly reduce stress.

Other mind optimizing methods that can also reduce stress include:

Hypnosis, general Meditation, and Biofeedback, not to mention a good exercise that could include Yoga and Pilates. You can also use isochronic tones to reduce stress.The advantages to using Isochronic tones over binaural beats are very clear. Binaural beats require headphones because they working using two separate tones, played differently into each ear. The tones then create a pulse, or "beat." Users will not notice the separate tones because it is all done very fast. On the other hand, Isochronic tones do not require headphones. Only one tone is used, but it is manually spaced to turn on and off in a particular pattern. This makes it more effective because the brain doesn't have to do the extra work of putting the two tones together.The Isochronic tone technology has been fully tested and is proven to work.

In 1999, the Journal of Neurotherapy published a case study conducted by Thomas Budzynski, Ph.D. He tested 8 struggling college students. Tests were performed using both visual and audio brainwave stimulation, the students significantly increased their grade point average, and their GPA continued to rise even after treatment was discontinued!Isochronic tones reduce stress and have all of the benefits of Holysync, but instead of binaural beats, they use monaural and isochronic tones for what the creator, Morry Zelecovitch calls "brainwave entertainment. I know those are a few big words, but Morry is a certified "Brainwave Entertainment Engineer/Specialist."

He has worked with the leaders in brainwave technology to develop this process -- and he definitely knows what he's talking about!Holosync products are very expensive, and are not guaranteed. However, it has more to do with how your brain reacts to certain stimuli. Some things work on some people, while others do not. Meditation is a good example. It can take some time to be comfortable with Meditation products, and many people quite before they get any benefits. With isochronic tones, many people are able to obtain a comfortable meditative state quickly, and for MUCH less cost.

Isochronic Tones have the power to: Reduce stress, enhance creativity, acquire a more positive attitude, develop better relationships, boost motivation, dissolve the mental and emotional blocks and resistance that hold you back from success, and much more

This could possibly revolutionize the entire self-improvement industry!

More noteworthy Isochronic and binaural beat technology programs are coming out. Some have been proven to be great, while others are a shot in the dark.

Two program series that have achieved great review is Brain Training and Mind Enhancement Series.

NLP and Hypnosis

Hypnosis is an essential skill set for a practitioner of NLP to have in order to facilitate effective and lasting change in their clients.

About NLP

NLP studies patterns of mind, language, and strategies (or programs) used by successful people. By focusing on what successful people do, a practitioner can learn how to model those thoughts, words, and actions for a client. It is an extremely effective methodology for self development and personal growth.

The study of NLP can also be applied to other areas of life, such as relationships, effective communication, mental performance, and even athletic/physical activities. However, the practical application that surprises people the most is in the world of business. Using NLP techniques and strategies, a person can become more motivated, boost sales, and dramatically improve work performance.

About Hypnosis

When most people think of hypnosis they think of someone on a stage who hypnotizes audience volunteers to get them to do silly or embarrassing things. The truth about hypnosis is that it is a powerful tool for helping a practitioner deal with many life issues.
During hypnosis, a practitioner can lead a client into an altered state of consciousness that most people describe as like being in a dream. It is a state of very deep relaxation that occurs after a hypnotist guides someone through the process of getting there.

The purpose of hypnosis is to use the subconscious mind to avoid the negative or limiting beliefs that can be carried around in the conscious mind. It uses the power of the mind to influence a behavior and attitudes, all without much apparent effort.

Using Other NLP Techniques and Hypnosis

Using other NLP techniques and hypnosis – can produce dramatic results for many people.
By learning the insights, skills and techniques of NLP and using them in conjunction with the influence of hypnosis, a practitioner can approach issues and concerns from different directions. This allows him or her to work through that issue more rapidly and more effectively.

The NLP skill set uses Ericksonian hypnosis. It differs from traditional hypnosis in the way suggestions are made and implanted in the participant’s subconscious mind. Ericksonian hypnotists use subtle, indirect suggestions rather than direct commands so that the client is much more likely to act on them. Those indirect suggestions are then accessed readily during NLP activities and behaviors.

Are NLP and Hypnosis The Same?

No, they are not. Hypnosis is a skill set within the NLP model. NLP looks at how someone views themself and thier experiences and then use that subjective information throughout a thier life. Instead of just following old patterns, a person can cut through what is not working and make a conscious choice to embrace what does work.

Hypnosis is a very deep state of relaxation that focuses internally on the subconscious mind. It allows a person to step away from the rest of the world and let go of preconceived notions, tapping into the internal resources and abilities that a person actually has, but may not have access to.

Summary

Hypnosis is an effective technique within the NLP skill set for dealing with things such as fear, emotional issues, mental health issues, and personal development. Skilled practitioners use hypnosis as an integral part of work with clients to achieve the results they are looking for.

Presuppositions of NLP(Neuro Linguistic Programming)

1. Behind every behavior there is a positive intention. The person doing a behavior has a positive intention at a deep structure level. When we are changing unwanted behaviors or habits, and moving toward healing, it is necessary to find the deep structure or original intention behind the behavior. We then create new and better choices that preserve the positive intention.

2. The map is not the territory. People respond to their map or interpretation of reality, not to reality itself. NLP is about understanding and changing maps, which in turn can change perceptions of reality.

3. Anything can be accomplished when the task is broken down into small enough chunks. The goal is "chunked" into pieces that are a manageable size for the individual or system.

4. There is no such thing as failure, only feedback.Everything is an learning opportunity to find out what works and what doesn't work. It is important to separate behavior from identity.

5. People already have all the resources they need.NLP teaches how to access these resources at appropriate times and places.

6. Every behavior is useful in some context.

7. If one person can do something, other people can learn from that person's success. NLP models excellence. It is possible to discover the components and strategies needed to achieve a particular result and to teach it to anyone else.

8. The messenger never rests until the message is delivered.When there is a symptom or communication, it is important to pay attention.

9. The meaning of your communication is the response you get.Communication creates an experience in the listener or reader. The result is the response we elicit. That response may not necessarily match what we intended to communicate.

10. Communication is redundant.We are always sending messages in all three major sensory modalities. NLP checks for congruence in these messages.

11. Choice is better than no choice.The element in a system with the most flexibility has the most control.

12. People always make the best choice available to them at the time.Often there are better choices. NLP discovers more effective choices and how to create more useful or desirable actions and beliefs.

13. If what you are doing isn't working, do anything else. A definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results.

Neuro Linguistic Programming = Results!! NLP works!

Neuro-Linguistic Programming teaches methods to model human excellence in any form. It is a system that studies the natural processes great achievers consistently use to produce exceptional outcomes.
With NLP, you can learn to positively influence your career, your business and personal relationships, as well as your feelings about yourself. NLP Practitioner Training will give you technology for excellence that you can use for personal growth, share with others to help them fulfill their potential, and guide your professional life to maximum effectiveness.
NLP Skills - Personal Growth
Clarify your vague goals into solid outcomes.
Learn to manage your emotional states, allowing you to be your own best self.
Realize new, better choices for yourself.
Learn human thought processes and specific patterns to improve learning, making decisions, and responding to criticism.
Resolve internal conflicts that limit your possibilities and sabotage your success.
Increase your personal charisma.

NLP Skills - Professional Growth
Create highly motivated teams.
Bypass resistance to your ideas.
Reach more satisfying agreements with others, creating win-win situations every time.
Handle intense situations smoothly.
Easily deal with difficult people.
Prevent misunderstandings with precise communications skills.
The powerful processes learned in Practitioner Training provide tools to ensure results. Learning successful deep structure thought patterns will give you the skills to easily create rapid and long-lasting change in yourself and others.

What is NLP? A brief intoduction to this Mind Enhancment Wonder!

What Is Hemispheric Integration™?
Hemispheric Integration is the science of how the brain codes experience. Your perceptions affect all your communication and behavior. It affects how you learn, how you experience the world around you and how you respond to it. It is key to reaching goals and achieving excellence. This revolutionary breakthrough in whole-brain thinking allows participants to clearly access the information stored in both hemispheres of the brain, facilitating healing and creating strategies for effectiveness. The clarity and simplicity of these processes make Hemispheric Integration a very effective tool for change. We have led people from all walks of life through these processes, bringing about tremendous personal growth and amazing professional changes.

What Is NLP?
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) is the study of human excellence. It asks the question, "What works, and how can it work even better?" By analyzing the specific behaviors and internal thinking processes of individuals who consistently demonstrate excellence in a given area, those strategies can be identified down to very fine details. Once this has been accomplished, the proven strategies can be used by others to accomplish the same level of excellence. The same concept holds true for professional goals, interpersonal relationships, and a person's self-esteem.
Behaviors are relatively easy to identify. The exciting and challenging task is to precisely elicit internal thinking processes, beliefs, and motivations. This task becomes even more challenging because very often, those who are top performers are not consciously aware of their internal thinking patterns that lead to their success.
In the early 1970's, Richard Bandler, John Grinder, Robert Ditts, Judith Delozier, Leslie Cameron-Bandler and others discovered ways to access and identify specific and reliable templates that elicit internal mental processes, language patterns, and behavioral characteristics of successful people. This was the beginning of Neuro-Linguistic Programming.
“Neuro” represents the internal workings of the brain, “Linguistic” refers to how language influences our experience, both internally and in communication with others, and “Programming” is how to install effective strategies into our own life.

NLP and Hemispheric Integration have many applications for creating effective and lasting change, from individuals at a personal level, all the way up to and including global politics, and health. As with any field of technology, NLP and Hemispheric Integration have specific terminology to represent concepts and principles of interest to the field. Throughout this site, much of the "jargon" used in the field of NLP has either been translated into user-friendly language, or explained as it is presented. An NLP Dictionary is also provided to assist your learning.

Ten Powerful Keys to Unlocking Health

1. Be PresentLive in the now. The past is gone. You can never go back and make it right. You can never re-live a life that was yesterday. Live positively in the present moment, no matter what is occurring. It is All right and perfect. Do not look ahead and dread what may come. Our mind creates a lot of chatter and makes us afraid in order to keep us safe. Tell your mind "Thanks for sharing" and affirm "I am here, I am present". You are always at choice and you know how to make this day beautiful.

2. NatureSit on the lawn or next to a tree. Feel the pulse of the earth, the grandeur of the sky, the coolness of the breeze on your face, or the warmth of the sun on your face. Smile at nature, say hello to the bugs and all the animals you meet. Take a walk in a park or hike on a trail.

3. ExerciseDaily exercise gives you a break from your mind chatter, helps pump your heart, circulates your blood, clears toxins from your body, charges you with energy and has many other benefits. Choose an activity that is fun and mix it up. Do walking one day and yoga another day. Take a Tai Chi class and meet new people. The list of possibilities is endless.

4. SpiritualityRecognize and know you are important and unique. Meditate, or sit quietly, and be in the moment. Read books that are uplifting and have positive messages. Give thanks for your health, your home, your friends, all the joy and happiness in your life and all the good that surrounds you.

5. ForgivenessIt is time to let it go. Forgive all parts of yourself to be whole and perfect. Forgive yourself for any past mistakes or shortcomings; forgive the child within for being afraid; forgive the teenager that spoke words of anger; forgive the young adult for not being a risk taker. Forgive others in the past. Forgive your parents, your siblings and relatives. Let go of all grudges. Forgiveness is about coming to peace within yourself.

6. Bubble BathGive yourself permission to relax and savor quiet times. Read a book for fun. Spend that extra money and get a massage or a facial. Do something selfish for yourself.

7. NutritionListen to your body. Feed it good nutritious food. Take a high quality multi-vitamin or a liquid supplement. Most health challenges can be reduced or eliminated with a dietary supplement.

8. Let Go of JudgmentGive up judgement and give up blame. Never speak critically of others or yourself. Speak words of encouragement to yourself and everyone you meet. Accept everyone for who they are and embrace their differences.

9. Service To OthersReach out and lend a hand to a friend in need. Offer unconditional service to others. Be a great listener and really listen to people when they speak. Find ways to help others to lift their spirits and help lessen their burdens.

10. LoveLove yourself and use positive words of encouragement. Compliment strangers and make others smile. Speak from a loving heart and shine with joy.



Wayne McDonald is the founder of http://www.HolisticWebDirectory.com – an on-line health directory of complimentary health care professionals. For more health articles, signup for our monthly Health Ezine at http://www.holisticwebdirectory.com/health-ezine

5 Tips To Conquer Your Fear Of Taking Action

When an opportunity arises to change your life for the better, your fear will generate excuses to spoil it for you. Each excuse is a single piece in the loser’s jigsaw. The end picture is an unhappy picture of you. Here’s how you can build a happier one.Let’s say you’ve seen someone you really fancy. You can’t take your eyes off them and you want to get it on with them. As soon as you think about approaching them, fear starts the jigsaw puzzle:

1. Fear’s first piece is picked: “Yes, but they wouldn’t fancy someone like me. I’m too fat/thin/tall/short/young/old.” This is predicting a negative outcome by generating a poor self-image. Accept it and you won’t make your approach. Instead, believe you’re a catch. And you don’t know how someone will react, you might click big time. There’s only one way to find out!

2. Fear selects another piece and picks on you again. “I’m not very good at starting conversations. I’ll bore them and embarrass myself.” Give into this one and well, you’ll have bored them for sure because you didn’t even say “Hello”. How boring is that?

3. The loser’s jigsaw continues: “They might react in a nasty way and embarrass me. I don’t want to be rejected in a nasty way.”

This is another negative prediction and as with all of these excuses, it has little to support it. It’s rare that you’ll get a nasty reaction to an advance. Rejection is part of life and you deal with it by realizing that some people want what you’ve got but some people don’t. And if you do get a nasty reaction, it’s told you a lot about them and you’ve just had a lucky escape.

4. Time for another piece: “I’m not in the right mood tonight. I’ll come in here next week and I’ll make my move then.” This is a beauty! Why take action now? You’ll be much better next time and you’ll have a better chance. Why rush? Of course, fear knows delay will keep your life as it is and you won’t be exposed to risk. Why delay the chance to connect with someone who you could share great times with? They might not be around next time – and fear knows it.

5. Undaunted, fear continues the game. “I’m not sure I want to meet someone. Things are going fine so why change?” How cute is this? Fear is determined to keep you safe and is trying to convince you that a change for the better will make things worse! If you want a better life, you have to do something to get it. This is how fear will stop you. An opportunity to get more happiness is in front of you. Don’t let fear make you turn your back on it.Why let fear build a loser’s jigsaw for you when you can conquer it by seizing the moment and taking action!

Chris Green is the author of the new book “Conquering Fear”, a special program which will show you how to conquer fear and attract greater happiness, success and prosperity into your life.

To get your FREE e-course, please go to => http://www.conqueringfear.net

How to Attract Personal Happiness

The 'Golden Rule' occurred in the Greek and Chinese cultures thousands of years before the Christian era: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." The spirit of the Golden Rule is one of generosity and altruism and is at the heart of any personal networking and 'right' living. Ralph Waldo Emerson said 'To have a friend, you have to be one', and his words are as true today as they ever were.You can test this out yourself by completing the following simple exercise:List ten people you know best: 1 - 10After each name, write an 'H' if the person is happy, or an 'N' if the person is not happy. (H/N S/N) Then write an 'S' if the person is selfish or a 'U' for unselfish.

Rimland in Psychological Reports (51); Brain/Mind Bulletin 1983 defines 'selfish' as:"A stable tendency to devote one's time and resources to one's own interests and welfare - an unwillingness to inconvenience oneself for others."In his experimental study, the 2000 individuals who completed this exercise reported very few individuals who were both happy and selfish. The findings represent an interesting paradox.Selfish people are, by definition, those whose activities are devoted to bringing themselves happiness. Yet at least as judged by others, these selfish people are far less likely to be happy than those whose efforts are devoted to making others happy.So the Golden Rule in networking, as in life, is if you think about the other person rather than yourself, not only is that going to increase your empathy and rapport skills but it will make you a much more attractive person to know and be a magnet for personal happiness.Another vital part of your networking skills is your ability to build rapport quickly and effectively with others. Successful rapport building will attract others to you and in turn attract personal happiness.To build rapport successfully with another individual you need to understand 'where' they are coming from and have 'empathy' with them.People often think of empathy as a mystical commodity, a special, almost uncanny ability to experience the thoughts and feelings of someone else.

In fact 'empathy' is quite simply applied imagination and only requires a little exertion and discipline.The next time you are sitting in a room conversing with three or more people, try this very simple activity:Temporarily remove yourself from the conversation. Be very quiet for a few moments. Pay particular attention to the person doing the most talking.Imagine the following things: Imagine the physical sensations the speaker is experiencing.Mentally place yourself in that person's body, sitting or standing in a particular position, eating the same food, drinking the same drink.Mentally become that person. Do you feel energised? Tired? Irritated?Imagine what kind of day the speaker has had - using all your knowledge about the speakers' day.

If you know little about the person, guess.Continue to imagine yourself as that person. How does your day colour and affect what you are saying? Imagine the person's relationship's to everyone in the room - including yourself.Continue to mentally be that person. What kind of feelings are generated by the people around you? How do they affect the things you say?Now step back into yourself and rejoin the scene. Does your own role in the conversation feel different? Empathy, like memory is a creative act, not a mystical property and it requires imagination and practice.It lies within the grasp of all of us.

Author:
Margaret Stead

5 INSTANT STEPS to feeling happier , RIGHT NOW!

Want to feel better, more alive, right now? You don’t have to feel tired and stressed, overwrought and overextended. This isn’t a natural way to live. Life is supposed to be enjoyed. We’re supposed to strive for joy and passion. Feeling as though we’re twice our own age simply doesn’t cut it. By incorporating the following five tips into your daily routine, you will begin to feel better and more alive IMMEDIATELY!

Don’t believe me? Try it for just one week. Practice these five simple experiences each day for one week. More than that is up to you. I’m asking you to give it a try for just one week. - Breathe. Believe it or not, the vast majority of human beings breaths wrong, either because of environment, or upbringing, or physical fitness, etc.

We are not a race of “smart” breathers. We do it because we have to, rarely if ever actually paying attention to the process of breathing. It’s as though we’re satisfied with autopilot on this one. Sit up straight and take some lovely deep cleansing breaths. Don’t hyperventilate, but fill your lungs…when you think you’ve filled them, inhale a bit more. Now slowly let the air out. Don’t rush and when you think you’ve let it all out, push just a bit more out. Now repeat that. Breath steadily and be fully conscious of each and every inhalation and exhalation. Get to know your lungs and body. You can’t be in control and interact with it unless you’re familiar with its processes. Breathe. Straighten your spine and breathe. - Feel grateful.

Our lives are abundant and we usually fail to see the abundance, so busy are we complaining and whining about what we don’t have instead of feeling blessed by what we do have. Consider how much of the world’s population lives before you so quickly feel as though you lack. We all have things we want. But first, we need to feel blessed and grateful for what we already have.- Walk once around the block. For some, this can seem like a huge undertaking. Perhaps various aches and pains prevent you from much physical movement. Perhaps your own lack of motivation stops you. Life is full of understandable reasons for not getting up and moving. This only asks you to go once around your block. One time each day. Make it part of your routine. Take your dog, take your kid, or take a few songs on an Ipod. Do it.- Write a list each day, of things you desire in your life. Genuinely feel yourself in alignment with the things on your list. Repeat the same one each day or change it up. It’s up to you. The only condition is that you really FEEL your desire for that thing; That when you imagine yourself with that which you’ve written on your list, your emotions feel happy or content.

If it feels wrong, don’t add it to the list. Only list those things which make you feel good to think about. - Tell someone you love them. Take a moment and tell someone how much they mean to you. Make their day. Make them smile, knowing you love them. When we spread love, we feel love…. instantly. It’s one of life’s greatest gifts, this instant response to spreading love. Even those days when you hate the world, look closely at someone who’s well-being matters to you; who’s happiness matters to you; who makes you happy loving them. Tell them how important they are. The Universe will send you more, because of your focus on that love you feel. Try this list for just one week. I guarantee you’ll feel less tired, less stressed and less rundown. You’ve got nothing to lose and lots to gain.

Wealth and Happiness

Happiness is a personal journey but when you watch television you would think the good life is a new car, skinny body, or winning the lottery. If you were to look at surveys, most Americans say more money would make them happier. But what if you were to look inside at what really gives you joy?You may ask yourself... what really makes me feel good inside?
Is it what the American Dream promises? Individual wealth? Does money buy happiness? Some of you would most likely say yes. Some would assume there is a connection between more wealth and feeling happy, an assumption that many scholars have called the "cycle of work and spend"-working more to buy more. According to one Gallup Poll, four in five people earning more than $75,000 a year say they would like to be richer.But does being richer really bring about permanent changes in your overall level of happiness? Does it really bring you the consistent level of joy we all so desperately attempt to achieve.

Does being well off make for well being? Rich people to a certain extent are happier, especially in poor countries such as India where being well off enhances the sense of well being. But if you were to take a look in the "richer" societies, more money doesn't necessarily mean more happiness or well being. More money often results in the law of diminishing returns.David Lykken observes in his own studies of happiness, "People who go to work in their overalls and on the bus are just as happy, on the average, as those in suits who drive to work in their own Mercedes". So whats the end result of all of this? Since the 1950's we have become twice as rich as a nation and no happier. The divorce rate has doubled, the teen suicide rate has more than doubled, and teens increasingly are troubled with depression.Social Psychologist

David Myersthe calls this the American paradox. He says "More than ever, we at the end of the last century were finding ourselves with big houses and broken homes, high incomes and low morale, secured rights and diminished civility. We were excelling at making a living but too often failing at making a life. We celebrated our prosperity but yearned for purpose. We cherished our freedoms but longed for connection. In an age of plenty, we were feeling spiritual hunger."So what can we do on an individual level? If being surrounded by the trappings of wealth, or lack thereof, ultimately does not make us feel happy then what will? Those things that make for a genuinely good life such as close relationships, showing gratitude and feeling appreciation for what we already have achieved in life is a good start. If material wealth is not the most important ingredient for a happy life, what is? Research has offered the following three suggestions:

1. Positive Characteristics - People who are optimistic, kind, forgiving, and grateful tend to have an abundance of happy experiences and happy lives.

2. Being in the Flow - Work and leisure activities that engage an individuals skill tend to lead a happier life. The area that lies between stress and the apathy of being bored, is a zone in which people experience being in the flow... an optimal state of mind in which, absorbed in an activity, they lose consciousness of self and time.

3. Close Relationships - We all have a deep need to belong. Those individuals who are supported by intimate friendships or a committed relationship are much likelier to declare themselves "very happy."Ultimately, if you want to be happy, then recognize that happiness is a product of the way you think and behave and not your finances. Choosing to focus on what you desire in life while at the same time being grateful and appreciating what you already have is a good start. We are the captains of our ship. We write the book that is our life. Focus to make it happen.