Depression – UBeCute

Anxiety. It’s something I feel more often these days, especially as the year winds down. When I look around, I know I’m not alone. There’s a heaviness, a collective sigh.

Nearly 1 in 5 adults report experiencing mental health issues each year – a stat that’s practically asking us to take up group therapy as a new hobby. Since 2000, rates of anxiety and depression have surged by nearly 50%, with younger generations leading the trend as modern stressors push more people toward seeking support. And yet, I try to remind myself that there’s humor and hope woven into the fabric of even the most anxious times. I thought I’d share a few reasons that seem to be stirring this modern-day anxiety cocktail – and maybe offer a laugh or two along the way.

Family Life’s Seasonal Demands
This time of year, it’s like life cranks up the volume on responsibilities. School events, family gatherings, holiday planning – the sheer number of moving parts makes my head spin. I wonder, do other parents also lie awake at night, ticking off to-do lists? Somehow, the calendar keeps shrinking, and the pressure only grows. It’s like life’s holding a stopwatch and saying, “You’re behind!” I’ve learned to laugh at the absurdity of it all. We’re all human, doing the best we can.

Economic Uncertainty and AI’s Rise
Ah, the economy. Just the word can send a jolt of stress through the system. Housing prices skyrocket, inflation wobbles like a tightrope walker, and we’re left asking, “What does the future hold?” Add artificial intelligence to the mix, and suddenly, everything feels even murkier. Will AI take our jobs or save them? The uncertainty can be daunting. But I’ve noticed something: we’re all quietly adapting, asking tough questions, and sharing ideas. And that, I think, is a powerful thing.

The Political Landscape
Political news is… a lot these days. Maybe that’s an understatement. From heated debates to policy changes, the tension is palpable. Sometimes I catch myself shaking my head, wondering how we got here. And yet, I also see people becoming more engaged, determined to make a difference. It’s heartening to know that I’m not the only one caring deeply, even if I feel anxious about the path we’re on.

Global Warming and the Planet’s Future
Climate anxiety is real. It’s hard not to feel the weight of it when I hear about wildfires, hurricanes, melting glaciers. I want a safe, thriving world for the next generation, and the uncertainty is difficult. But I also see incredible people out there making a change. Scientists, activists, everyday folks choosing eco-friendly options. It reminds me that small actions matter, and there’s a bit of hope mixed in with the worry.

Living with Anxiety – And Laughing Anyway
Yes, these are heavy times. And yes, there’s a lot to worry about. But there’s also a strength in knowing that I’m not facing this alone. We’re all anxious about something, and yet here we are – talking, laughing, doing what we can. I’ve found that some days, a little humor goes a long way. A wry laugh with a friend or a quiet moment to appreciate the absurdity of it all reminds me: we’re in this together.

Maybe that’s the real secret. Anxiety may linger, but so does hope. So does community. Distrust may be palpable, but love triumphs. We’re all living through challenging times, but together, we’re braver than we think. Perhaps more than ever, we need to look out for each other, offer a caring word, a helping hand, and remind one another that we’re not alone.

Life is a mixed bag of both sweet and rotten fruits for everyone. But sometimes it can feel like you were given a bigger share of the rotten. The challenges and ordeals life throws can leave you feeling spent and hopeless. After all, in the face of incessant hardships it is only human to feel demoralized and dejected. AbbottKinney1

But if life has you feeling run over then continuing to feel sorry for yourself will only make matters worse. There are positive steps you can take that will change the game entirely and put your life back on track. The good news is that it is never too late to change your mindset and circumstances. Here are some easy ways to heal:

Acknowledge your pain: To achieve freedom from pain it is first important to understand what ails you. A lot of people feel depressed out of loneliness, poverty, competition, and physical ill health. Others feel miserable because they are trapped in a toxic relationship and are unable to find a way out. Whatever your case may be, the first step to cure is always to understand the root cause. However, if your depression has no particular known cause then try probing your subconscious with this simple trick. Sit in meditation and clear your mind of all positive and negative thoughts or simply listen to some relaxing music. Then take a pen and paper, and write down 10 things that are making you unhappy. If you have more than 10, then just keep writing to your heart’s content (empty all the pain out on paper) but make sure to number them appropriately. Then focus on the list of things that make you unhappy and further write down 10 ways you can either eliminate or avoid them. You obviously cannot eliminate all toxic relationships (e.g. a rebellious teenage child or an annoying aunt) but you can find creative ways to improve your relationships. If nothing works then you will want to find ways to distance yourself emotionally.
Make small changes: Focus on the list of action items you created above and focus on just one or two. See if you can do just one thing a day no matter how small. If your health bothers you then do one thing to improve it today. If your relationship with your teenage son is bothering you, see if you can have face to face talk. If your Aunt is always taunting you about not visiting her often enough, then see if you can set a reasonable schedule to visit her which will work for both of you. But focus on one or two constructive ways to improve your situation today. If there is absolutely nothing you can do about it, then learn to accept it. Time will eventually heal pain.
Make health a priority: A healthy mind resides in a healthy body. If you are already in tip-top shape than that much more power to you. For the rest of us we can all make small changes to improve and keep our health in the best shape possible. If possible join a gym. If you cannot afford a gym, then start your day with a brisk walk and observe the world with a child’s eyes. Notice the birds playing in the trees, or the dew settled on the green grass or the clear skies. Seek joy in the simpler things in life. Make an effort to eat healthy. It is easy to fall into a habit of eating comfort food when you are feeling blue. But this habit can become hazardous over a long period of time. Try making simple, nutritious meals. Make small changes by inculcating more greens, grains and fruits on a daily basis.
Be grateful: Gratitude is one of the best medicines to depression as it changes one’s focus from “the have not’s” to “the have’s”. While it is easy to look at everything we do not have, it is far more rewarding to focus on the things we have and offer genuine gratitude. Kindness starts at home. Be kind and grateful to your parents, partner, friends, children, pets and colleagues. Find some time to send them a card, or call or text them with a simple “thank you” message. This alone will improve your relationships. This will not only change your perception but also alter their perception of you.
Offer Charity: This may be so counter intuitive. When you are ailing and need help, it is hard to think of others. Yet when you focus on helping others you take away the focus from yourself and your own pain. You look at people who are less fortunate than yourself and realize how much you have to be grateful for. Also helping other people releases mood enhancing endorphins.
Inculcate a hobby: Hobbies are not just for kids. They are equally important for grown-ups. If you have a hobby then find time to work on it every day or as often as you can. This will give you a feeling of fulfillment, accomplishment and joy. If you don’t have a passion, find something you can enjoy. Maybe it is something you did as a child but just don’t have time to do it anymore? If you enjoy reading books, then join a book club. Meeting like-minded people and sharing views helps take mind off your problems. If you enjoy photography then invest in a reasonable camera and take a picture a day. If you enjoy writing then start a blog. If you enjoy gardening then get a few plants and decorate your home. Get the drift?
Set aside time for you every week: The worst possible situation is to find yourself in a place where one day dwindles into another. If you have a hard time remembering what you did yesterday or what you will do tomorrow then you may be in a bad place mentally. Each day is a new day to fulfill your dreams and promises. No matter how small. Set some time every week to focus on yourself. Write down your goals and plan on fulfilling them. You don’t have to come up with flamboyant plans. You can use the time to simply organize your bookshelf, or clear some clutter in the garage. Or pamper yourself with a facial or go to the cinema and enjoy a movie. Make time to invest in yourself every week.
Do not participate in office politics: Sometimes vicious cycles are created by simply participating in vicious activities. If you are unhappy at work, participating in company politics will only make it worse. Venting about difficult colleagues or bosses can sound like a good idea to vent out at the moment, but it will only make you more miserable. And usually will come back to haunt you and cause you to lose credibility in the eyes of your peers and management. If people are participating in politics around you, try to stay disengaged. In the long run, you will gain more friends and build respect.
Change your attitude: Whether the glass is half empty or half full depends upon the way you look at it. Perception is everything. And yet, it too can be adjusted. Find positive viewpoints in every situation. See also positive in people. People are neither entirely good nor entirely bad. We are all motivated by our own inner needs. Learn to see these needs impartially and try to forgive others for their faults. When something bad happens to you, try not to focus on what has happened but how you can fix it. Try putting things into perspective. Will this matter an year from today? Read positive books by motivational writers such as Dr. Wayne Dyer, Deepak Chopra, Stephen Covey, Dale Carnegie. If necessary read them over and over again. The mind can be stubborn but loves repetition.
Consult an expert: If nothing else works then seek the help of an expert. Look up for a psychiatrist or see if you can join a support group. Build a strong network of friends and family who would be willing to see you through difficult times. Offer them love and gratitude in return and be there for them.

Remember there is no quick fix to most problems in life, breaking old habits takes time. Most known quick fixes like medications, drugs and alcohol only mask the problem today, but make matters exponentially worse in the long run. Instead try to become your own best friend and make small but consistent efforts to heal yourself both mentally and physically. Good Luck!