How To Release Those Happy Hormones

I received a touching comment in one of my blogposts about the anxiety depression that I went through in 2004. You can read about it HERE and HERE.

Yes, I will tell you this again. Like what my psychiatrist said, hindi ka mas mababang uri ng tao if you experience depression. Hindi ibig sabihin nun, weak ka. Depression happens to the best of us. Hindi mo yan ginusto. The important thing here is how you fight it. Yung tipong, "Babangon ako at jojombagin kita!" levelz.

Ganyan.

I am here not to make kwento that again. I provided the links so you can read back what I went through. I am writing about this now because I want to give suggestions on how to be happy and how to release those happy hormones.

Think Positive. Yes mga ateng. Thinking positive is a very powerful tool to being happy. No matter how low you are right now, remember, there's no other way anymore but up. Think happy thoughts! Example: (1) You lost your job? Keber. Hanap ng bago. Nakahanap ka nga before ng job eh, what's stopping you for finding another one now? Say this with me: "I can find another job more fabulous than my previous one." Gow. (2) Iniwan ka ng jowa mo? Cry for a while then try moving on. I am a very emotional person. Everytime I break up with a boyfriend, feeling ko end of the world na. Feeling ko, I would never find another one like him anymore. Eh after a while naman, may pumapalit. Mas gwapo pa. Mas mabait. So don't be sad. Say this with me: "I am beautiful. I am smart. I will meet my prince charming tomorrow." Yes, muther. Agad agad. (3) Wala kang pera? Manahimik sa bahay. Try assessing your expenses. Try looking into how you spend and save. Look and find other ways how to be happy without spending too much. Try and see what you can do para madagdagan yang income mo. Say this with me "I have money. I have money. I have money. Hindi lang enough but I have money.".

Hang out with happy people. Stir away from the nega ones. Dun ka sumama sa mga tawa ng tawa. Makitawa ka din. Laughter can make you feel good. Call your most positive friend and tell her kailangan mo mahawa ng positivity sa kanya. Talk to her. You will be surprise how light you will feel afterwards.

Do good things for others. Doing nice things for others makes one feel good about himself. Hindi ka lang nakatulong sa sarili mo but to others too.

Exercise. Exercising releases Endorphins and Serotonin which are also known as happy hormones. This is a fact ha? Try running a few kilometers. Nakaka-saya. Personally, when I run, that's the time I am able to think of many things. Right after my run, yung super tulo na yung pawis ko, I feel lighter. Feeling ko din kasi sumi-sexy ako eh. Hehe.

Eat chocolates. Eating chocolates also releases Endorphins. For me, when I'm extra sad, I eat chocolate ice cream. I feel better talaga afterwards.

Have sex. Actually the act itself doesn't release Serotonin. It's the orgasm that releases the extra shot of happy hormones. It acts as an anti-depressant. Hindi ko yan iniimbento ha? Gora. Igoogle niyo =)

Avoid drinking alcohol because alcohol is a depressant. Alcohol isn't the solution to your problems. Trust me. I can only make you feel sadder.

Go shopping. Just take my word for it. It will definitely make you feel better.

 Travel. Or just simply change your environment. This was one of the suggestions of my psychiatrist when I had depression. I went to Amsterdam for a very long vacation. And you know what?! It was really effective. A change of scenery, culture and environment surely did me good. Hindi ko makakalimutan yun. Kung walang budget pang travel, you can just re-arrange your room or your house. Makakatulong di yun.

Pray.

There you go guys. These are just some of the suggestions that I have now in mind. If you know naman somebody who has depression, my only advice is, wag niyo silang iwan. Understand their situation. It will take super duper effort on your part to support them. They need you more than ever now.