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Feeling down? Get Up and Do Something! 20 Ideas

When you’re depressed, I bet nothing will improve your mood or cheer you up. You have no motivation, all you want to do is lay in bed and let your mind think about how bad things are and how much worse they can get.

Will overthinking help you feel any better? Probably not. Will doing absolutely nothing help you feel any better or fix the situation? Probably not. Your mind is working overtime thinking how everything can go wrong and not what you CAN do to make things better. Then what can you do to begin feeling a little better?

Here are 20 things you can start doing today that will improve your mood and help brighten your day. I suggest you set a daily intention and start small. What are you waiting for? Get out of bed and try one today.

1. Listen to music, write the lyrics, then sing loudly, no matter how ridiculous you sound

2. Go outside on a sunny day, sit down, feel the warmth on your skin, notice the beauty of the sky, the clouds, trees, and listen to the birds sing

3. Go to the beach, walk barefoot on the sand, feel the sand between your toes as you look for sea shells on the water shore

4. Help someone out, share a meal, call a friend and ask if they need some help, carry someone’s groceries, help and elderly cross the street or open a door

5. Read a magazine, look for pictures or words that catch your attention and create a vision board

6. Fix something at home, look around for little things that need to be fixed

7. Go online, search for different activities or clubs going on around where you are for example book clubs, exercise classes, social gatherings

8. Start a garden, plant different seeds, tend to it daily and watch different seeds blossom

9. Call a few friends, invite them over for snacks, coffee, or dinner

10. Cook a healthy lunch or dinner, smell the different spices you cook with, feel the different textures of the veggies, steaks, feel the temperature of the different items as you prepare to cook them

11. walk around the block, look around and find different things that you had never noticed before

12. Smile, softly, then a big smile, smile again and again

13. Draw stick figures of yourself, your family, your friends. Try drawing a dog, a cat, a bunny.

14. Look for old pictures, remember old times and memories and create a memory album

15. Make a list of positive qualities, things you are grateful for, dreams, or hopes

16. Attend church regardless of denomination and allow yourself to sit there in silence,observe and listen to a service

17. Watch funny movies, stand up comedy, or anything humorous. Just laugh, laugh a lot.

18. Learn a new language, listen closely to the pronounciation, repeat the sounds as best as you can

19. Serve yourself a glass of water, take a sip, focus on the temperature of the water, the taste, pay attention when you swallow and focus on it as it flows through your body

20. Take a deep breath, inhale the good, exhale the bad and remember everything will get better shortly.

Depression can take you on a downward spiral. No matter how much your mind tells you “no” get up and get active. Who know, you might leave the depression and stumble onto who knows….happiness?

Do I have a problem? When is it too much?

Nothing is a problem until it becomes a problem, right?  But what are we talking about? Sleep? Alcohol? Gambling? Drugs? Alcohol?
If drugs and alcohol have got you in trouble here are some reasons why you should  consider substance abuse counseling…
  • Learn about addiction and recovery
  • Learn ways to cope with triggers and cravings.
  • Talk to someone during difficult times without any judgement.
  • Treat undiagnosed mental health conditions which may be feeding your  addiction such as depression or anxiety
  • Heal and strengthen relationships with family and friends
Whether you want to quit or just cut down using, talking to someone experienced who understands what you’re going through makes a huge difference.   What are you waiting for?  Take the first step now.   Call 305-576-1599 ext.3127 or 3117 and ask how we can assist….

Am I Addicted?

There is no easy way to determine one is addicted.. Oftentimes warning signs are either not recognized or ignored. When dealing with addiction, we easily come up with excuses or rationalizations to explain our behavior and dig ourselves further into the hole. You tell yourself “I have it under control,” and “I can stop at any time.” And miss any warning sign that arises. It can take time and a multitude of consequences to begin to wonder “Am I using too much?”

If you began to wonder about how much you’re using and addictive behaviors, what follows will help you come to a conclusion and decide whether or not it is time to ask for professional help. Take a deep breath and honestly, ask yourself the following:

Does your life revolve mostly around drugs or alcohol?

Do you avoid family or friends who don’t use?

Do you feel uncomfortable if drugs or alcohol aren’t available?

Do you think of using all day?

Is it rough to get through the day without using?

Has your tolerance increased causing you to use more?

Have you missed work or school because you were too tired from using the night/day before?

Have you felt guilty or regretted something that happened while using?

Has a friend or loved one expressed concern or complained about your using?

Have you had legal problems due to your use?

If you answered “yes” to more than four questions, then you may have a problem with drugs or alcohol. It takes great strength and courage to face addiction. Admitting there is a problem is the first and most important step. Reaching out and asking for help is the next step.

If you are struggling with addiction, do not despair. You are not alone, there is hope. You can get back in control of your life and begin to live a substance free life. No matter how strong your willpower, you cannot defeat addiction on your own. You need an addiction treatment center that can provide you with the tools and support that you need to overcome the disease. The time is now to make that choice. What are you waiting for? Call 305-576-1599 ext. 3127 or 3117. One of our counselors are ready to answer any questions you may have and ready to offer the help you need. Call Now.