As a broadcast journalism major, I spend a lot of time watching and reading the new, keeping up with the latest that goes on, even if the news can sometimes be tragic. One of the latest stories I came across while watching “Good Morning America” was a story about how the younger generations are feeling more anxious and depressed. Some say it's because of mass media always in our faces, constantly telling us what’s wrong in the world. Its great to be informed. It keeps us all smart, but sometimes there needs to be a balance. When you're feeling down, whether it's about another tragedy you heard about in the media, or about things going on in your own life, remembering and appreciating all the good things the world has to offer can go a long way, especially when it comes to improving your mental health. Here are some simple things to be thankful for. Whenever you feel down, thinking about some of them may even make you smile.
1. Your pets
Nothing makes you smile more than your pets. Whether it's your cat cuddling up next to you purring or your dog barking and jumping excitedly at your arrival when you come home, the love between people and their pets is unconditional. Its also proven that having pets can lower a person's blood pressure, even if it is something as simple as having an aquarium full of beautiful fish.
2. Coffee/tea
Our favorite caffeinated beverages are definitely something to be appreciative of, for they can both relax us and give us the energy we need for the day. There is a reason places like Tim Hortons and Starbucks are always crowded. On top of all that there are many health benefits to drinking tea and coffee as well, including lowering stress levels and the odds of developing certain cancers. Plus who doesn’t want to enjoy a warm beverage on a cold winter day.
3. Your favorite song popping up on the radio
Music is always something to appreciate, but when one of your favorite songs comes up unexpectedly, it's just ten times better. Music is known to release endorphins (pleasure sensors) in the brain. When a great song we recognize comes on unexpectedly, even more are released than if you put the song on yourself. Our brains love spontaneity.
4. A warm shower after being out in the cold
There is almost nothing better than the feeling you get when taking a warm shower after being out in the cold. It feels good to be able to relax and warm up any numb fingers or toes you might have after doing something fun like skiing or snowmobiling. Plus it can be a great way to unwind after working hard at shoveling the driveway after a large snowstorm.
5. Fuzzy blankets
Similar to a warm shower, fuzzy blankets are just another way to warm yourself up and unwind after being out in the cold. They are very popular, especially in the college I attend where our winters are hardly ever above 10 degrees. I remember always wearing one when I’d hang out in the lounge my freshman year. My friends would jokingly steal it from me because fuzzy blankets are just that awesome.
6. A phone that is completely charged
It’s always a great feeling when you look at your phone and see it completely charged. It gives you that feeling of being prepared for the day and staying connected. It’s especially great to know you have a fully charged phone if you are planning to go somewhere important where you’ll need it, like when your going out with friends.
7. The first time all year you see snow
There is always something always exciting about the first snowfall of the year, even as you get older. Perhaps it’s the anticipation of a day off from school still implemented in our brains from years back. It could also be how beautiful everything looks covered in snow. The first snowfall for many also means the beginning of winter sports like skiing or snowmobiling. Plus who doesn’t love acting like a kid again and having snowball fights with your friends and family.
8. The first warm sunny day outside after a really long winter
Similar to how the first snowfall of the year spurs excitement, the first spring day outside that actually feels warm does wonders to everyone's moods as well. It’s strangely pleasant spotting the first patch of green grass after seeing the ground covered in dirt mixed snow for what seems like months. Our bodies need the vitamins the sun gives us and not having wear massive layers of clothing just handle the outdoors gives us more motivation to go outside. It's always nice seeing campus filled again with students slacklining, skateboarding and playing KanJam.
9. A good book
When you lose yourself in a good book, it’s as if the world around you and all of its problems somehow happen to disappear. You get yourself lost in the world and problems of another instead, sometimes even learning life lessons from what the main character goes through. Whether it's a fiction book like “Harry Potter,” a classic like “To Kill a Mockingbird," or even a cool non-fiction book about space, all books possess something that can help change your perspective and outlook on the world. Literature is powerful.
10. Feeling great after a workout
Although running can be painful, there is still a reason why so many people go to the gym and exercise. When I was in elementary school, being made to run laps in gym, I always thought all the kids in middle school and high school that ran Cross Country were crazy, that is until I of course tried it. Exercising on a regular basis is a great way to improve a person's mental health. When we exercise endorphins (your brain's pleasure sensors are again released causing you to feel happy after a workout. Working out, ironically enough, also gives you more energy and motivation as well. I always felt more motivated to do things during sports seasons.
11. Scented candles and other things that smell good
Scents can be very powerful. Scientists even say that when it comes to triggering memories scents are more powerful than images or sounds. This is why things like scented candles and nice smelling perfumes are awesome, they can help trigger good memories by smelling like wonderful things, such as homemade chocolate chip cookies or a christmas tree. Scents can even take you away to somewhere else if you let them, which is why most people close their eyes when they are smelling something good. I personally like the smell of gasoline because it reminds me of going on road trips with my family.
12. Holidays
Holidays are awesome. For one thing, they give you time off from work and or school, and for another they give you something to look forward too for each month. Whether it's as simple as looking forward to having labor day off in September, or as large of a holiday as christmas or Halloween, holidays have a way of changing the normal routine of your daily life. Wearing green is just a regular activity, but on saint patrick's day it has some extra special meaning. Its also great getting time off to see your family and friends. Plus holidays are also great for the economy.
13. Eating your favorite meal
Food has a wonderful way of bringing people together. There is a reason why restaurants are so popular and why people are literally willing to pay ten to hundreds of dollars for a well cooked meal. Almost all of the holidays we celebrate are based on food. It would be hard to imagine celebrating any of them without it. Imagine Thanksgiving without turkey, Halloween without candy, or christmas without cookies or candy canes. None of the holidays would be the same. Food is a reason for people to gather and talk about things.
14. Laughter
As they say laughter is the best medicine and its true. There is a reason why people are willing to pay good money to see a great comedian. Laughing over anything, whether it’s because you saw and heard something funny or because someone tickled you will release endorphins (pleasure sensors in our brain) making you feel good all around. Laughter is also contagious which is why many sitcoms you see on tv have laugh tracks. Its also why watching something funny is better when it’s done in a group.
15. Getting a day off after a long week of work
Getting time off to do what you want is a great feeling, but when it is after a long hard week at work. It’s just that much better. You feel like you really earned the day you are about to really enjoy. Your day this time is going to be different and what you usually do and it is going to be all decided by you. You can be as lazy more motivated as you want. You can sit on the couch, rest up and watch Netflix all day, or you can take a day trip with your friends to somewhere exciting. It’s all up to you and either way you earned it.
16. Making someone else smile
Just like laughter, smiles are contagious as well so if you make someone else smile, you yourself are more likely to smile as well. There is something rewarding about making someone else feel good. It’s like a positive domino chain. The more you yourself smile and the happier you truly are yourself, the happier of people you are going to attract. It’s called the law of attraction and there is some strong evidence for it in psychology. So if you make someone else smile, they are more likely to make someone else smile as well.
17. A meaningful conversation
As humans we are very social creatures, creatures who absolutely love conversation, but when you meet someone you can talk for hours with without getting bored, that’s when you know you made a true connection with someone. The deep emotional connections we make when having meaningful conversations and can help us learn how to understand others as well as ourselves. People love to vent about their emotions and talk about their experiences. If you can do that with someone who doesn't judge you and is willing to listen and if you are willing to do the same for them, you made a true friend.
18. Meeting someone new you just click with
It's an exciting feeling meeting someone new, but it's an extra special feeling when you meet someone click with. Some people you meet look good at first sight, but then lose their novelty over time. Those people you meet that do not, however, are the people you become best friends with. There is a reason why college orientation is so exciting, it's a new start and a chance to meet someone you can really click with. New people can also give you different perspectives on the world. This is because we are all unique.
19. Your favorite sports team winning
For those of us who are sports fans, it's kind of hard to explain why we get so excited over our team winning. When you are a true fan of any kind of sports team, it’s as if all of the team's accomplishments are yours. Sports somehow have a way of turning even quiet people into extroverts. I’m no way near an introvert but I don’t yell either, that is until the Giants play the Patriots. There is also always something fun about a rivalry too. Last semester when our Plattsburgh men's hockey team played Oswego, the rivalry between the two schools made our school winning 10 times as exciting.
20. Getting to see your family members that live far away
When I was a little kid, I’d always get really excited when my parents would tell me we are going to be taking a trip over to a relative's house. Seeing family that lives far away is great because you are visiting people who love you and don't the same house as you. There is a lot to talk about because of this. I always have fun visiting my sisters during my college breaks, staying up late with them, and sharing all of my experiences of the semester. Talking about mom and dad and how they have changed since you moved out is nice as well. Siblings are great that way because they are the only people who will truly understand your crazy family, because they are related to everyone they same way you are.
