How to be happy with yourself? How to lift mood when depressed!

Being happy with yourself is an important aspect of overall well-being and can improve your relationships, work life, and personal satisfaction. In this blog, my focus is on discussing some tips to help you be happy with yourself.

“The groundwork for all happiness is good health.” – Leigh Hunt

How to make yourself happy

Practice self-compassion: Treat yourself with kindness and understanding, and avoid self-criticism or negative self-talk.

Focus on your strengths: Identify your unique skills, talents, and qualities that make you special, and take pride in them.

Set realistic goals: Create achievable goals that align with your values and passions, and work towards them step by step.

Take care of your physical health: Get enough sleep, exercise regularly, and eat a balanced diet to improve your physical well-being.

Practice mindfulness: Cultivate a sense of awareness and appreciation for the present moment, and avoid dwelling on past regrets or future worries.

Develop positive relationships: Surround yourself with supportive and positive people who bring out the best in you.

Find purpose and meaning: Identify activities or causes that give you a sense of purpose or fulfillment, and incorporate them into your life.

Remember that being happy with yourself is a journey, not a destination. It takes time and effort, but the benefits are worth it.

How to lift mood when depressed? 

Depression can be a challenging experience, but there are many things you can do to lift your mood. I am writing down some well researched and proven strategies that actually help:

Reach out to someone you love: Talk to a friend or family member about how you're feeling. Sometimes just having someone to listen can be helpful. Personally when i am down and out, i reach out to my mother or two-year-old daughter.

Get moving: Exercise can boost endorphins, which can help improve your mood. Even a short walk or stretching session can make a difference.

Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing, can help reduce feelings of anxiety and depression.

Focus on self-care: Take care of your physical and emotional needs, such as getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and doing activities that you enjoy.

Set small goals: Setting and achieving small goals, such as making your bed or doing the dishes, can help you feel a sense of accomplishment.

Seek professional help: Consider reaching out to a mental health professional, such as a therapist or psychiatrist, for additional support.

Remember dear fellows, it's okay to not be okay, and that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. With time and effort, you can start to lift your mood and feel better.

Role of spirituality in Healthcare 

• "The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper." – W.B. Yeats.

Spirituality can play a significant role in helping individuals live happier lives. Being spiritually powerful is an asset. Here i am discussing some ways in which spirituality can contribute to happiness:

Providing a sense of purpose: Spirituality can give people a sense of meaning and purpose in life. When individuals feel that they have a higher purpose or mission, it can give them a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction.

Cultivating gratitude: Spiritual practices often involve cultivating gratitude for what one has in life. When people focus on what they are grateful for, it can shift their perspective and help them to see the positive aspects of their lives.

Fostering connection: Many spiritual practices emphasize the importance of connection with others, whether it be through communal worship or other social activities. This can help individuals feel less isolated and more supported, which can contribute to happiness.

Managing stress: Spirituality can provide individuals with tools to manage stress and anxiety, such as mindfulness practices and prayer. These techniques can help individuals feel more centered and calm, which can contribute to overall happiness.

Encouraging self-reflection: Spiritual practices often involve self-reflection and introspection, which can help individuals better understand themselves and their values. This can lead to greater self-awareness and self-acceptance, which can contribute to happiness.

It is important to note that spirituality means different things to different people, and what works for one person may not work for another. However, for those who find spiritual practices helpful, incorporating them into their daily lives can be a valuable tool for achieving greater happiness and well-being.

Best foods to lift mood

There are several foods that can help boost your mood by providing nutrients and chemicals that support brain health and regulate mood. Here are some examples:

Dark chocolate: Dark chocolate contains flavonoids, which have been shown to improve mood by increasing blood flow to the brain and boosting endorphins.

Fatty fish: Fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel, are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which can help reduce inflammation in the brain and improve mood.

Nuts and seeds: Nuts and seeds, such as almonds, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds, are high in magnesium and other nutrients that can help regulate mood and reduce anxiety.

Leafy greens: Leafy greens, such as spinach and kale, are high in folate, which has been linked to improved mood and cognitive function.

Berries: Berries, such as blueberries and strawberries, are high in antioxidants, which can help protect the brain from oxidative stress and improve mood.

Fermented foods: Fermented foods, such as yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut, contain probiotics that can improve gut health and reduce inflammation, which can in turn improve mood.

It's important to note that while these foods can help support mood, they are not a substitute for professional treatment for mood disorders. If you're experiencing persistent or severe changes in mood, it's important to seek help from a healthcare professional.

Dear fellows! There are many factors that contribute to our overall well-being and happiness, including our physical and mental health, relationships, and sense of purpose and meaning. I have learnt one thing in life, by taking care of ourselves through self-compassion, mindfulness, and healthy habits such as exercise and good nutrition, we can improve our mood and overall quality of life. Most importantly, incorporating spirituality into healthcare can provide a more holistic and patient-centered approach to care, addressing patients' spiritual needs and enhancing coping and resilience. By making conscious choices to prioritize our well-being and seek support when needed, we can cultivate greater happiness and fulfillment in our lives.

Abbas Writes used these sources to research and write this blog post for all readers:

Brown, K. W., & Ryan, R. M. (2003). The benefits of being present: mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of personality and social psychology, 84(4), 822–848. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.84.4.822

Harvard Health Publishing. (2019). Nutritional psychiatry: Your brain on food. Harvard Health Blog. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/nutritional-psychiatry-your-brain-on-food-201511168626

National Institute of Mental Health. (2021). Depression. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml

Puchalski, C. M., Vitillo, R., Hull, S. K., & Reller, N. (2014). Improving the spiritual dimension of whole person care: reaching national and international consensus. Journal of palliative medicine, 17(6), 642–656. https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2014.9427

Stahl, S. T., Albert, S. M., Dew, M. A., Lockovich, M. H., Reynolds, C. F., & Aizenstein, H. (2019). Long-term changes in cognitive function and mood states after exercise in older adults: results of a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 67(4), 679–687. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.15753