A MANUFACTURED SMILE BY JACOB BERRY

“Just smile more.”

I’ve heard something along these lines for most my life. And it sounds so easy. But it’s the hardest thing for me to do.

Don’t get me wrong, this is not to admonish those who say to have more child-like whimsy or have more fun. They are right: being happy, having fun, and smiling really help the creative process.

But they are clearly not thinking of people like me.

People who are crippled by depression and anxiety. So much so, that they are bedridden for weeks on end when their episodes get really bad and they literally can’t do anything.

But what does someone afflicted with these problems do?

I don’t know. And I don’t pretend to know. Everyone is different and I won’t speak for others. But I can share what helps me.

When I start to become plagued by self-doubt and negative emotions, I try to find activities that make me drift off in my head. For me, that means TV, books, music, the concept of YouTube, and video games. These activities give my mind a chance to wonder or focus on something else, which helps keeps my negative thoughts at bay. However, that doesn’t always prove a great escape for me. If that’s the case, my next step is to see if there is anyone around to talk to: either to bounce ideas off of or just loose myself in conversation. However, sometimes triggers my social anxiety. So, my last option is to run. Running clears my head, and the added rush of endorphins gives me a biological boost of euphoria, manufacturing my own diet version of being happy.