GO Ahead - CRY

Tears could improve your health. Tears not only cleanse your eyes, but they also cleanse your minds and soul of stresses, stains, and frustrations, according to researchers.

Tears are as potent as laughter when it comes to physical and psychological relief.

Crying provides an emotional release that can lower blood pressure and reduce emotional and muscle tension

NOTE: Frequent crying with no obvious trigger could signal depression.

Source: Family Safety and Health, Vol. 54, No. 1

Be Happy

According to "happiness experts," each of us is born with a happiness set point. This is a genetic level, from giddy to grumpy, around which our happiness level tends to settle, regardless of what happens to us.

While happines is influenced by genes, we can, with patience, find ways to dial up our happiness levels.

"Happy Enhancers"

Get regular, brisk exercise - It's a natural mood-lifter.

Rent funny movies or stand-up comedy tapes. Just the physical act of smiling can improve your mood.

Listen to inspiring music - Sing along, dance around the house.

Buy some brightly colored flowers - There is a reason why flowers are such popular gifts.

Snuggle with your dog or cat.

Plan a change of scenery - especially one that gets you back to nature.

Take care of your body - Get enough quality sleep and exercise. Eat a healthy diet, which means going light on junk food and sweets.

Keep a gratitude journal - where each day you write down at least one thing you are grateful for.

Learn how to meditate - Feeling stress can put a damper on happiness, and mediation helps you shed stress. Studies also show that meditation sparks higher levels of activity in the part of the brain where feelings of happiness, enthusiasm, joy, high energy, and alertness are generated.

Forgive - Holding grudges can drain you of energy and the ability to feel happy.

Do something for others - Sometimes, sacrificing what we want for the greater good can boost our happiness levels.

Form relationships - People who have close connections, share physical touch, and enjoy the comfort of freindship and love are generally happier.

Follow your dreams - Not someone else's. Be true to yourself.

Know that a lifetime spent chasing the almighty dollar rarely brings true happiness. Acquiring things beyond "middle-class comforts" does not usually make us happier, say experts. Lottery winners say they're no happier than anyone else, once the excitement of winning has worn off.

NOTE: Could it be depression? If you are profoundly unhappy and none of these ideas seem to help, you could be clinically depressed. Depression is a brain disease, an imbalance in brain chemistry. If you think depression is the culprit behind your sadness, seek professional help.

Sources: NEA Hope Health, Vol. 24, no. 11; David Lykken, PhD; University of Minnestota; Ronald Inglehart, PhD; Journal of Happiness Studies, by Ed Kiener, PhD, et.al; Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD, founder, Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of MA Medical School.

Recharge Your Batteries

Don't wait for a week's vacation to de-stress. Reverse stress as it occurs with these recharging tips.

When we feel stressed and cannot think straight, it is often because we have too much on our plates. One way out of this is to complete things systematically before starting something new.

Make or review your to-do-list for the week, the day, or the hour.

Now pick one item that you can complete or one decision you can make in five minutes or less. Make a phone call? Send an email? Decide what to have for lunch? Go for a walk?

Cross it off your list and say out loud: "Done!" No matter how small the task, give yourself credit for completing it. As your list shrinks, your sense of control and competence grows. One success sets you up for another.

As you become a master of completion, you will gain incentive from your obvious progress.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Source: Recharge in Minutes, by Suzanne Zoglio, PhD.

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