We had a great Relief Society activity the other night. We had a Dr come and talk to us about depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder which is very prevalent this time of year.
Do you feel sad or down in the dumps more in the winter?
You may have Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD which is caused from a lack of sunlight.
It has been calculated that January is the most depressing month of the year. Even more specifically, this week, the third week of January, is the most depressing week of the year.
The calculation is based on weather, debt, time since Christmas, time since failing
our New Year's resolutions, as well as low motivation, and that puts the
most depressing day of the year at about the third Monday in January.
If you are wondering if you have Seasonal Affective Disorder here is a
good article in LDS Living that talks about causes, symptoms as well as things you can do to combat SAD.
The Dr that talked to us obviously gave us information about the medical side of recognising and treating depression. But then he focused on the spiritual side of how to be happy and about turning to the Lord for help when we have these "blue" kinds of days in our lives.
He recommended a good book to read about being happy in spite of our trials and difficult things in our lives. He said that he felt like this is one of the best books out there on this subject. So I went right out and bought it. It is really uplifting and I recommend it as well.
It is called "Love Life and See Good Days" by Emily Freeman.
You can find it at any Deseret Book or order it HERE online.
We had a little handout (that was attached to a can of 7-up) with some good advice that I wanted to share with you.
7 UPLIFTING ways to keep your sunny side UP!
1- Wake UP -Decide to have a good day.
"This is the day which the LORD hath made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalms 118:24
2 - Dress UP -The best way to dress is to put on a smile.
A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
3 - Shush UP -Say nice things and learn to listen.
"Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou
mayest be wise in the latter end." Proverbs 19:20
4 - Stand UP - For what you believe in! Stand for
something or you will fall for anything!
5 - Look UP - To the Lord. "I can do all things through
Christ which strengtheneth me." Phillippians 4:13
6 - Reach UP -For something higher. As Jimminy Cricket sings,"High Hopes," always try to better yourself. Have FAITH!!
7 - Lift UP - Your prayers. Do not worry about anything;
instead PRAY about Everything!
