I've always suffered from depression, but a few years ago when menopause was added to the mix, it hit like a one-two punch. Depression has been like a donkey kick to my head, and each day is a struggle to find a happy balance. Short of eating my weight in candy corn and MoonPies, I've discovered twelve ways to kick depression's butt:
1.
Surround yourself with pets. They will love you unconditionally
and never ask you for a new cell phone or an increase in their
allowance.
2.
Listen to the drug-induced music of the 60-70's. Many of the
songs from this era include tambourines, harmonicas and lyrics such
as, "Sha-la-la-la…..feelin' groovy…" If you listen to
this music long enough, pretty soon you'll be playing recorder solos
better than Zamfir.
3.
Get plenty of exercise. It boosts metabolism and confidence.
Take a Zumba class to shake the junk in your trunk and twerk like a
pro. Don't worry if your backside looks like a butt tsunami. Ride
that wave with a grin on your face.
4.
Eat chocolate. It has been proven that cacao stimulates the
release of endorphins that boost the mood. Just don't mistake cacao
with caca.
5.
Go for a drive along a scenic road. It doesn't matter if you're
driving an outdated minivan with duct tape holding up the windshield
or a transmission that acts like a bucking bronco. Be grateful that
it still has air conditioning and a gas pedal.
6.
Attend a sporting event, even if you hate sports. Soak up the
excitement and the adrenaline of the crowd to lift your spirits. A few
beers and a large bucket of chicken wings are exactly what the doctor
ordered.
7.
Travel the world. Or at least cross the county line for a
change of scenery. Add a little excitement to your life during your
travels by canoeing in alligator infested waters. Toss your raft out
into the ocean along with a bucket of chum. You'll forget how
depressed you are when the sharks start circling your raft…especially
once you discover it has a slow leak.
8.
Surround yourself with funny people. Find your tribe
among the jokesters and pranksters. If you're a female, be sure to
carry Poise pads in your purse for those uncontrollable moments of
intense laughter.
9.
Get back to nature. There is nothing more calming than sitting in a
beautiful park with a granola bar and watching squirrels play with
their nuts.
10.
Change the decor of your home. Spend hours on Pinterest for ideas
until your brain is fried and you end up covering your entire home in
cheerful, Hello Kitty wallpaper.
11.
Act silly. Spend an entire day talking like Pee Wee Herman
until your voice becomes hoarse and your family is ready to throttle
you.
12.
Learn to appreciate the little things in life and be grateful for what you have. I'm fortunate that I married a man with a great
sense of humor and a deep appreciation for all that he has been given. He grew up with a mother who served her eight children cow's
tongue smothered in ketchup that she tried to pass off as "Mom's
special meatloaf." After one bite, my husband quickly learned to appreciate the basket of stale
rolls that could have doubled as hockey pucks.
Every
day is a new challenge, but I'm ready to face whatever lemons life
throws at me….as long as I have a blender, vodka and an endless supply of used dental floss to knit into Christmas sweaters.
