Feeling down often accompanies unemployment, being in a job that is less than satisfying, or difficulty finding new work. Periods of mild depression are understandable and normal responses to those difficult situations.

I want to make a distinction between clinical depression that lasts more than a few weeks and is accompanied by a sense of overall hopelessness and the experience of feeling down that can be linked to a difficult life event. The first example requires professional attention from a doctor or therapist in order to assess the severity and recognize options for improvement. Options for the latter are addressed in this blog.

Even though it's natural to be in a periodic slump during stressful or frustrating work-related experiences, it does not mean you have to stay there. But finding ways to lift your spirits that do not put at risk other aspects of your life like your emotional, physical or financial wellbeing can be challenging.

The research of Anne Wilson Schaef and many others shows that Americans are caught in addictive behaviors that keep them in patterns of self-destruction and depression. Whether the pattern is eating too much, compulsive shopping, overworking or substance abuse, these behaviors momentarily shift a mood, but typically make matters worse in the long run.

I'd like to suggest two very simple, yet proven strategies to lift your spirits. The best part is that neither of these ideas necessarily costs money or very much time.

The first strategy is to surround yourself with beauty. The options are limitless and depend on your interests and taste. From a flower garden or park to a walk on the beach, the natural world provides free and endless possibilities to be in beauty. Author and theologian Thomas Moore who wrote the best seller, Care of the Soul has recently written a book titled "Beauty" that speaks to the soul's need for beauty and all the ways it impacts us. Moore states that being intentional about creating and finding beauty in our lives is more than "something nice to do". Rather, Moore notes that beauty is healing and a necessary aspect of living a full life.

The second strategy is to be in a place of gratitude. There is compelling research that shows an actual positive physiological shift in the functions of the heart, blood pressure and brain when there is a shift in one's thinking from a negative focus to thoughts of gratitude. This strategy only takes minutes by simply making a mental note of those people and life circumstances for which you are grateful. Or you could decide to invest more time and attention on a daily basis by writing in a "gratitude journal".

You might experiment with either or both of these strategies for a week and see what the impact is. At the very least, you might discover a new place to visit or feel calmer for a time.

The beauty of Provence Flowers

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