[DeMing]

We're a Depressed Society.

This is odd considering that we're got more of everything than any generation ever had. More food, more clothes, bigger houses, more money to buy anything.

Have we ever considered that maybe, we're not happy because we're doing something wrong. We're not doing things which really makes people happy. So what makes people happy then? Let's find out what research has to say:

5 Things You Can Do IMMEDIATELY To Become Happier

1. Accepting Painful Emotions
According to Tal Ben-Shahar, a psychologist researching happiness, the first step to happiness is to accept that you're human. That as a human, we face difficult times and sad times. Accept that you're upset, angry, or unhappy. When you're unhappy, don't beat yourself. Just allow yourself.

2. Spending Quality Time
This is the NUMBER ONE predictor to happiness. Research has shown that consistently, happy people are those that spend the most quality time. Quality time with people we love, our family and friends, while being totally present. That means no handphones or computers. No multitaking.

3. Exercise!
"Three times a week of 30 to 40 minutes of exercise is equivalent to some of our most powerful psychiatric drugs in dealing with depression or sadness or anxiety" (Ben-Shahar, 2009).

4. Being Grateful
"People who keep a gratitude journal, who each night before going to sleep write at least five things for which they are grateful, big things or little things, are happier, more optimistic, more successful, more likely to achieve their goals, physically healthier; it actually strengthens our immune system, and are more generous and benevolent toward others. This is an intervention that takes three minutes a day with significant positive ramifications." (Ben-Shahar, 2009).

5. Simplify
We pay a price in terms of the quality of the work that we do. We also pay a price in terms of the quality of relationships that we enjoy. So doing less -- for example, switching our phone off for three hours when we get home, or not responding to every e-mail as it arrives, having what I call e-mail-free zones -- these little things, simplifying our lives even slightly, can make a significant difference to our productivity as well as happiness." (Ben-Shahar, 2009).

There you go. 5 things you can do IMMEDIATELY to become happier. Start observing your life. If you're depressed. Observe if you do any of these things. If you don't, then get started already! You don't need a psychologist!

[Emotionally Dead]

Thanks for this. It really is an insightful post, I just wish it weren't easier said than done lol.

[shortandcute]

Originally Posted by DeMing

We're a Depressed Society.

This is odd considering that we're got more of everything than any generation ever had. More food, more clothes, bigger houses, more money to buy anything.

Have we ever considered that maybe, we're not happy because we're doing something wrong. We're not doing things which really makes people happy. So what makes people happy then? Let's find out what research has to say:

5 Things You Can Do IMMEDIATELY To Become Happier

1. Accepting Painful Emotions
According to Tal Ben-Shahar, a psychologist researching happiness, the first step to happiness is to accept that you're human. That as a human, we face difficult times and sad times. Accept that you're upset, angry, or unhappy. When you're unhappy, don't beat yourself. Just allow yourself.

2. Spending Quality Time
This is the NUMBER ONE predictor to happiness. Research has shown that consistently, happy people are those that spend the most quality time. Quality time with people we love, our family and friends, while being totally present. That means no handphones or computers. No multitaking.

3. Exercise!
"Three times a week of 30 to 40 minutes of exercise is equivalent to some of our most powerful psychiatric drugs in dealing with depression or sadness or anxiety" (Ben-Shahar, 2009).

4. Being Grateful
"People who keep a gratitude journal, who each night before going to sleep write at least five things for which they are grateful, big things or little things, are happier, more optimistic, more successful, more likely to achieve their goals, physically healthier; it actually strengthens our immune system, and are more generous and benevolent toward others. This is an intervention that takes three minutes a day with significant positive ramifications." (Ben-Shahar, 2009).

5. Simplify
We pay a price in terms of the quality of the work that we do. We also pay a price in terms of the quality of relationships that we enjoy. So doing less -- for example, switching our phone off for three hours when we get home, or not responding to every e-mail as it arrives, having what I call e-mail-free zones -- these little things, simplifying our lives even slightly, can make a significant difference to our productivity as well as happiness." (Ben-Shahar, 2009).

There you go. 5 things you can do IMMEDIATELY to become happier. Start observing your life. If you're depressed. Observe if you do any of these things. If you don't, then get started already! You don't need a psychologist!

wow-seriously?!?!?!?! those things are great and all that, but for someone who has actual clincical depression, it's not that simple!

[Hellion]

Yes those things can help some people, but I don't think you're really in a position to tell us these things are a cure and none of us need any therapy or other help with it other then following those tips. Not to mention sometimes things can be more complex for instance with my high anxiety levels my body already uses a lot of energy, I also don't drive so getting places uses a lot of energy. Well due to the high anxiety levels it makes it hard to eat and then it causes me to burn calories too fast, I am already underweight. Adding 30-45 mins of exercise to all that a day would likely destroy me physically.

Anyways those all can certainly help but they aren't a replacement for professional help really. Point is its true some of us need much more than that to recover or at least learn to cope with the crap.