Feeling low is fast becoming a rising issue among people in cities today. Many people experience mild depression for months, sometimes years, but seem unable to do anything about it. These are the signs:

Lack of enthusiasm
A feeling that everything is dull and monotonous
You stop taking care of yourself
You’d rather be alone than with anyone else
You eat mindlessly and without enjoyment
You sleep excessively
You smoke and drink more than usual
Life seems to lack joy
To cope, many people watch TV or surf the Internet endlessly and mindlessly.

There are numerous reasons for feeling low, but the result is always the same – a feeling of listlessness and lack of joy. Men and women respond differently to this situation. Men become irritable and incline towards addictions to cope with boredom, anxiety and depression. Women withdraw into a shell.

Solutions for women
Phone a friend who is a positive person, and listen to him or her with an open heart instead of doing the talking yourself.
Play your favourite music while you do your daily chores.

Write down seven things that you have and that you’re grateful for. Gratitude is a major mood lifter, unlike comparisons. Studies have shown that when people compare themselves to richer and more accomplished people, they make themselves feel small and unhappy.

Take up an activity that gives you happiness, such as singing, painting, dance or exercise classes or gardening.

Spend on small self-indulgences like a body massage – especially if you have never done this before. (Small actions like this often build up a feeling of being wanted and worthy.)

Go to a temple, satsang, church or any spiritual place, or join a class that teaches self-healing methods. You’ll meet positive like-minded people at those places and group therapy is much stronger than individual therapy

Light aroma incense sticks in the evening and put on soothing music.
Get a book if you enjoy reading.

Meet an old friend for lunch and laugh over old times.

Take up yoga or dance aerobics. These activities are a sure-shot way to change yourself.

Get a healthy cooking recipe book and start changing your eating patterns. (Unhealthy foods lead to unhealthy emotions. A vitamin

B12 deficiency is also a major nutritional reason for feeling low.)

Become a volunteer in any social organisation if you feel up to it. Women tend to be nurturing by nature and volunteer work synergises with that basic need to help others. Volunteer work also helps you increase your sense of self-worth, thanks to your belief that you are contributing to a worthy cause.

Next week: Solutions for men.

From HT Brunch, February 5

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