what do you do to stay happy and sane?
403600
I totally agree with mhoi_mhoi.  You found that you were able to find escape and find pleasure in your horseback riding.  The good news is, you already know that you can help yourself by doing activities.  So, for a start, you can just switch to some other activities and maybe that will help a little bit.  I like taking long walks.  Also, if you like being around children, doing something with them can usually make you laugh even on your worst day.  Any way that you can find to help others will probably make you feel better.  \n\nAnother thing you might try is to start writing down the thoughts and feelings you have so they won't keep "swirling" around in your head so much.  That's a lot of what therapy is anyway - just getting it out.  \n\nBy the way, like a lot of people, I've had the same types of experiences you've had and I don't think there is anything wrong with having a "bad mood swing" for a day or two.  I think we're entitled to that after what we went through.  Just remember, as you've probably experienced, things always get better, even if it's just a little.  The key is to hang in there.  \n\nI'm saying all this only if you aren't feeling like you might hurt yourself or anything.  If you are having any of those thoughts, then, I am forced, as a therapist, to say, "go see a therapist" - if only to help get your mood stabilized a little bit so that you can go on with your life.  If you don't really want to talk to anyone about ALL the "stuff" from your childhood and all that, then just see a psychiatrist to get some medication to stabilize your mood.  Otherwise, you are probably just having the mood swings that all of us have and that's okay - I know it hurts really bad when you're in one, though.\n\nTake care... I'll be thinking of you and I hope you feel better.
343716
Choose to be happy.  Do good to others.  Stay Healthy.
71700
Take a deep breath.  Take several deep breaths.\n\nWhere in the past have been good places for you to go and just enjoy yourself?  Do you even let yourself enjoy some time every day?  How do you take care of you?\n\nThink about something you like to do, something you liked to do as a child.  Something just feels good to you, that no one can criticize or take away from you.\n\nLet someone else deal with all the problems.  You need some time to take care of yourself.  What do you like?  What are the good things in your day?  What's your favorite color, your favorite food, favorite smell, happiest moment?  Do you even know?\n\nTake some time for yourself.  Breathe deeply from your stomach.  Read some feel-good books, like All Things Great and Small by James Herriot.\n\nTalk to someone who cares about you.  Give yourself a chance to be held and comforted.  You deserve it.
63380
Reflect upon what is important to you, and spend your time accordingly.  Love, Laugh, and Live as if each day is a precious gift from a loved one.
957206
Here are some tips that you can do to make your life more balanced and decrease any depression.\n\n"GET OUT OF BED: \n\nOne of the most important things you can do is get up at about the same time every morning (even week-ends). Preferably, that means about 7 a.m. or earlier. You might not feel like it but Get Up. Such regularity helps your body function more normally so you're more likely to feel normal. \n\nLIGHTS: \n\nLight helps your body function better. So turn on a lot of lights as soon as you arise. Open curtains to get more sunlight. Better yet, go outdoors into the sunshine as soon as you can. Remove any eyewear so light will enter more readily (glass cuts out some of the sun's rays). But don't stare at the sun, of course. \n\nMOVE: \n\nBe active right away -- oxygenate! That means getting up and walking around your dwelling for five or 10 minutes, or perhaps riding an exercycle. Mild exercise gets the blood flowing and transports more oxygen throughout your body (especially to your brain), helping you feel mentally alert and alive. \n\nMUSIC: \n\nSelect and play some energetic, happy music as you dress and have your breakfast. The audiovisual department of most libraries has albums and tapes you can check out. \n  \n\nBREAKFAST: \n\nBegin your breakfast with protein (i.e., meat, eggs, peanut butter, nuts, cheese). When you get up, your body chemistry is ready to convert food, especially protein,into longlasting energy. To balance your most important meal of the day, add an orange or other fresh fruit and whole grain cereal or whole grain bread. \n\nTALK WITH SOMEONE: \n\nOne of the quickest ways to beat the blues is to interact with others. You might not feel like doing that - you'd rather avoid people when blue. So make lt easier on yourself. Talk with someone you enjoy about a subject you enjoy so there is definite give and take. \n\nAnd, force yourself to say "hello" to the persons next to you in class, those where you live, anyone around. \n\nLIMIT CAFFEINE: \n\nThe long-term (four hours or so) effects of caffeine are depression. Try to limit coffee to no more than one cup in the morning. Coffee can make you more alert for an hour or so, but later you get an opposite reaction. Caffeine tends to increase the release of insulin in the blood, and insulin lowers the blood sugar level. When you have low blood sugar levels, you begin to feel less sure of yourself, and have low energy levels, which can lead to the blues or depression. \n\nLIMIT SUGAR: \n\nSugar might give you an initial rush of energy, but within an hour or so the blood sugar level can become low, and when it's low you may feel low, too. \n\nThe caffeine/sugar cycle. It's easy to get caught in the caffeine and sugar cycle -- having coffee, caffeinated soft drinks, or something with sugar every two hours or so to "stay up." For example, cola contains about 10 teaspoons of sugar plus caffeine equal to about half a cup of coffee. In addition to bringing on the blues, this cycle can result in dependence, poor nutrition. and obesity -- reasons to get down on yourself even more and feel blue. \n\nMAINTAIN FIBER: \n\nFiber helps food go through your digestive system at a proper rate, giving a more constant energy supply. Highly processed foods merely provide a quick surge of energy which can be followed by depression. You can maintain fiber in your diet by eating an orange or grapefruit rather than just drinking the juice. Eat fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, and whole grain breads and cereals. \n\nSTRESS B COMPLEX: \n\nSome persons report receiving help by taking a concentrated vitamin B complex. You'll find these called something like "Stress B" or "B 50." This is controversial. \nSome nutritionists say, "Yes, this really should be considered," and others say, "No, this is not a good Idea." You can try some and decide whether or not it helps you. If it does help, the
946061
Take a bath.  Get a massage.  Spend one hour of every day with no phone, no computer and nothing expected of you, and in that hour just relax, pray, and think about things that make you happy.  And eliminate extra stressors from your life, they will only drag you down.
395182
What ever keeps you happy.
804881
I have a medical condition, which means that in any given month, I have 5-15 days like that.\n\nMy solutions:\n-Read favourite books, especially funny ones.\n-Listen to favourite music and sing along.\n-Clean the house, it uses up time and gets something accomplished, and you're not happy anyway, so what do you have to lose?\n-Go for a brisk, angry walk, and burn off some of the hostility -- 'depression is anger, without energy' -- hate the weather; hate the streets; hate the grey sky -- or the blue one; you'd be surprised how well it works.\n-Put the best linens on your bed, and put on a sexy nightie or dress, give your best mate a friend, and giggle about sex.\n-Though you are not in the mood, if you have a partner or friend who's willing to pamper, seduce, and make love with you, you'll feel LOADS better!\n-Write all your feelings down in a journal.  \n-Take a long, hot bubble-bath, shave your legs, spoil yourself.\n-Get your hair done.  It's amazing what a lift that can give you.\n(WATCH OUT for the tendency to spend money and overeat -- they are serious problems when depressed!)\n-If you're in work, smile at everyone, even though you don't feel like it.  They'll smile back, and that feels good.\n-DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL!  Especially not alone.  This way rehab lies. (Same for drugs, obviously).\n- Have a good friend round to yours, and have a right old good whinge, she gets to whinge too, and you'll probably end up laughing.\n- Do any hobbies you have, like cross-stich, or gardening, or learn one -- I spent YEARS knitting or crocheting blankets which I then gave to hostels for battered women, and homeless people.  It was both something to do, and doing it for charity made me feel good.\n- Watch a sad movie and have a really good cry.\n- Write poetry, or song-lyrics (for your eyes only, if you like).\n- Go to the library and get an introductory book on something you know absolutely nothing about.  LEARNING can pull you out of that grey place really well.\n- Watch a documentary or film about the real world, like 'Hotel Rwanda', and give yourself a dose of perspective on your problems.\n- Go to the gym, if you have a gym membership.  You won't want to go, but the exercise will make you feel better.\n- Doodle.\n- If you have kids, play with their toys.  Make a fort with Legos; find out how much fun fingerpainting really is.  If you don't have kids, keep some toys, for playing!\n- Sleep for 24 hours. Sulk, pout, be down, until you're bored with yourself, and have to laugh.\n- Masturbate.  ORGASM is guaranteed to improve your mood.\n- Go somewhere and pretend to be anyone other than yourself.  If you don't have a car, and would be recognised, do it at home.\n- Go to your House of Worship, if you have one, and seek spiritual guidance.\n\nDON'T DROP OFF THE FACE OF THE MAP.  IF YOU FEEL SUICIDAL, CONTACT EMERGENCY SERVICES OR YOUR LOCAL SUICIDE CRISIS LINE.  TELL SOMEONE HOW YOU'RE FEELING.\n\nYou'd be amazed how much people, even total strangers, care.\n\nI do.\n\nGood luck.
279678
I talk to my man. I cry. I try and figure out what is bothering me. I check to see if my problems are immediate, if they are, I take steps to correct them. If they are not, I tell myself "you are ok." I think of something happy. I go on yahoo answers and look for questions that spark my mind and remind me I'm just a human with foibles just like everyone else. \n\nI hear that other people take a walk or go for a drive. I cant' drive and where I live is very hilly so I dont like walking around here. I try not to eat when I am down becuase for me that can get out of hand. If you do not have that problem, try a little something.\n\nIn general, make sure you are meeting your personal needs. Eat a decent meal, get plenty of rest and exercise. Take a hot bath or shower, light a candle and do other self soothing activities. Make a date or go out with friends. \n\nChoose OK! ;)
811357
think of something happy
556398
Do what keeps you happy. This life is too short for doing unpleasent things.
1046415
Acheiving personal happiness is the primary goal in this life.One is in this world to experience joys and fulfilment.What-ever be the reason,past is dead.Live in the present and dream about your future . Plan actions for  where you would like to be years hence. Keep youself physically and mentally busy.
439510
:) For mental health, you should have peace to be happy and good in life. to have peace, probably you need some confidence, patience and learn to appreciate everything around you.. even simplest thing like the rain. for physical health, that's lots simpler, healthy diet, exercise, sports, enough rest and so on.. healthy mentally and physically are closely related ;) you have to own both to life a good life. learn to love and enjoy being loved as well. i don't have everything in life but i'm happy, i face problem in campus, in life but i look at the things i have, actually, i'm very blessed. i can be happy with a chocolate bar, just a simple cabury chocolate bar :)
300287
You enjoy every happy moment you have and work to keep it that way!
241254
take your mind off of the stuff that is making you mad or sad.\nwatch tv{watch a funny show that will make you laugh your head off},listen to music,talk to someone about how youre feeling,punch a pillow,go outside and walk for a while or write down everything that is pissing you off and then crumple it up.
332612
Exercise.  Especially a nice and easy hike on a beautiful day.  If you can go to a nearby state park or something is best cause you get to see the little happy critters and the sunshine is great at building those happy endorphins.
286497
Be true to yourself and make the choices that you think will make you happy! Don't waste time on things you can't change and concentrate on what you can improve! \n\nLife is short so enjoy!