The economy is weighing heavily on us all, and many of us are really stressed out. We’re facing new and frightening challenges, and it's causing so much stress, we're bordering on sadness and depression simply because we’ve now created an imbalance of serotonin in our brains.
People are quick to try medications such as Zoloft because they may help to correct this imbalance. (If you are considering taking these types of medications, you really should investigate the side effects first.)
Mild depression is defined as the feeling of being blue or down for days on end. Now ask yourself, how long has it been since you've had a good, hearty laugh? A day? A week? A month? If you're feeling the awful effects of stress, get out and spend time with fun friends. It’s the best medicine available, it's completely free, has no side effects, and there is certainly no way you can overdose on it!
Have you ever paid very close attention to how you feel when you take a break from your stress by surrounding yourself with people who love, enjoy and energize you? Have you noticed the physical response you have? Studies show that when you're enjoying yourself, you are reducing stress hormones. The positive results should encourage women to relax and release the stress that often causes depression. Spending time with your friends may actually be a prescription for happiness.
Talking, and especially laughing, will help alleviate depressive symptoms and help you cope with the stressors that make you feel sad. It's a fact that laughter can change brain chemistry and that it is a natural anti-depressant. Laughter increases the level of endorphins and neurotransmitters in your brain, and reduces the level of cortisol and other "bad" hormones. And best yet, laughter activates the body's natural tranquilizers that help to calm us down.
Fun takes planning just like anything else. I say, go ahead and be a little more selfish with your time. That committee meeting that really doesn’t interest you? Skip it. Call the girls and go for a hike or meet for Happy Hour instead! It’s a stress management strategy with health benefits. It’s good for us and it’s essential for our mental health. It is not a guilty pleasure.
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