SELF HELP WHEN YOU'RE FEELING BLUE

If you were around in the 50’s or 60’s, you might remember that popular ballad by one of the greatest vocalists of all time, Nat King Cole.

 "Pretend You're Happy When You're Blue" lyrics went like this:

 Pretend you're happy when you're blue
It isn't very hard to do
And you'll find happiness without an end
Whenever you pretend

Remember anyone can dream
And nothing's bad as it may seem
The little things you haven't got
Could be a lot if you pretend

We all have “blue,” days.  Maybe you had a disagreement with a friend, got into a fender bender, or lost your purse.  Perhaps you're sick and tired of hearing about Trump and feel like the world is falling apart. Whatever the reason, you haven’t slept well, and you wake up in the morning feeling down and out.  What to do?  Mope around all day? Overeat or feed some other  addiction like nicotine or alcohol?  No, just pretend you’re happy and act accordingly.

Smile. If it’s a nice day, put on a clean outfit and a pair of walking shoes, put one foot in front of the other, and take a walk through the park.  Watch the squirrels chase each other’s tails.  Listen to the birds singing.  Laugh as the geese stop traffic while nonchalantly walking across the road. Admire the flowers. Watch green tree leaves fluttering with the wind.  Feel the warm sunshine on your back. Keep going until you feel your mood lift. 

Come back home, fix a cup of tea.  Get up and go out with ordinary people, some of whom may be handicapped, yet still going on with their lives.  Retail therapy helps if you don’t go overboard.  Or maybe an hour in the reading room at the library.  Whatever lifts your spirit and makes you realize your troubles aren’t nearly as serious as you thought.

And if you sing this melody
You'll be pretending just like me
The world is mine, it can be yours, my friend
So why don't you pretend?

ONE THING COULD LEAD TO HAPPINESS

Do you make your bed every day?  If you don’t you have plenty of company.  According to a survey of 68,000 people by Hunch . com,  59 percent of people don’t make their bed; 27 percent do, while 17 percent pay a housekeeper to do the dreaded job.   This may be good or bad, but psychologists in that same survey found that 71 percent of bed makers consider themselves happy, while 62 percent of non-bed-makers say they’re unhappy.  Bed makers were more apt to like their jobs, own a home, exercise, and feel well rested.

As a kid going to girl scout camp, we were told to let our beds breathe before  we had breakfast, then make them after we got back from the cafeteria.  Some health advocates say that dust mites live in made beds, so they’re better left unmade.  Turns out, this advice only applies to people who live in damp climates.  The excuse does not apply to most of us in the USA.

Naval Admiral William Raven explained  in a commencement speech at the University of Texas, Austin,  why making your bed each day makes you happy:

. It gives you an accomplished feeling 1^st thing in the morning

. It helps with the clutter & visual appeal of your room

.It increases productivity and happiness

.It’s manageable

Studies  prove that people who make their beds are happier, more productive, and successful.   And it takes less than 2 minutes!   So, whether it rains, sleets or snows--get up, make your bed, and face the day with a smile.😃