Bullying is using words or actions to hurt someone on purpose. It usually happens repeatedly over time, and it can be hard to stop. Bullying behaviors include ridicule, threats, rumors, embarrassment, taunts, intimidation, hate speech, assault, and sexual harassment. It can happen anywhere: at school, in the community, or online (cyberbullying). For more information on what bullying looks like, check out these blog posts: Why You Bully Me: An Insider’s Perspective on Bullying How to Deal With Cyberbullying: 3 Habits to Learn

How to help someone with depression?

People with depression need support. You can make a difference in someone’s life by letting them know you’re there, you care, and you’re in their corner. If you think someone you know is struggling with depression, share your concern. You don’t have to know the “right” thing to say or give any advice. Just be present. Listen without judgment. Ask how you can help, and let the person know that they are important and valued. Your support may be exactly what they need to get through. If you are concerned that someone may be in danger of hurting themselves or others, get immediate help. Tell a trusted adult, call 911, or contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255. For more information, check out our blog post on Suicide Prevention: 5 Action Steps to Prevent Suicide.

How to deal with depression?

Sometimes people with depression are encouraged to “just snap out of it.” But depression is an illness, not a choice. It requires treatment and support. The symptoms of depression, such as sadness, lack of energy, and difficulty concentrating, also make it hard to manage. The things that can help you feel better are often the hardest things to do. Start small and remind yourself that the first step is usually the hardest one. Some steps you can take to feel better in the moment include: Reach out. The most important thing is to remember that you are not alone. People with depression often feel ashamed or isolated. But people care about you and want to help. Asking for help does not mean you are weak or a burden. So tell a trusted family member or friend what you are experiencing. If you can’t or don’t feel comfortable, connect online, or call a crisis line: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor. Do something to make yourself feel good. Even if you feel like you’ve lost interest in the things you once enjoyed, try doing them. Whether that’s listening to music, doing art, writing, being with a pet, taking a walk, or playing a game, you may find something that helps boost your mood. Take care of your body. It’s easy to neglect your self-care when you’re depressed. Make sure you are eating well, drinking enough water, getting adequate rest, and exercising. Try to get some fresh air and sunlight. Find ways to manage stress, such as deep breathing, stretching, and other relaxation exercises. If at any time you feel like you’re in danger of hurting yourself or others, get immediate help. Go to a trusted adult, call 911 or a crisis line, or get to an emergency room. Your Free2Luv Family is always here to support you. Suicide Prevention: 5 Action Steps to Prevent Suicide.

What does depression feel like?

Depression is characterized by long-lasting feelings of sadness, hopelessness, emptiness, and/or a loss of interest and pleasure. It’s not the same thing as feeling sad once in a while. People with depression may experience difficulty sleeping or concentrating, changes to their appetite, weight loss or gain, low energy, prolonged feelings of guilt or worthlessness, and intrusive thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Depression is real, and it’s serious. It’s the most common mental illness, affecting over 10% of adolescents and young adults. But fortunately, it is treatable. 80% of people with depression begin to feel better within six weeks of starting treatment. But only about half of those affected ever get treatment. That’s why it’s so important to speak openly about mental health and reduce the stigma surrounding depression and other illnesses. For more information, check out this blog post: What Does Depression Feel Like?

How does anxiety affect life?

You may have heard people say anxiety is “all in your head.” But anxiety is real, and it can interfere with your ability to enjoy and fully experience your life. Physical symptoms of anxiety include rapid heartbeat or breathing, tightness in the chest, upset stomach, sweating, headache, muscle tension, and insomnia. Mental anxiety symptoms include excessive worry, intrusive or unwanted thoughts, fear, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and restlessness. Everyone experiences anxiety a little differently, but one thing is certain: you don’t have to suffer in silence. Learn more about living with anxiety.

A Simple Smile = A Positive Change [Back to School, Back to Kindness]

The Power of a Smile

I encourage you to share one of the greatest and most fulfilling things in life … a simple smile. At the end of the day, you could change a person’s life.

You may think that there is no way something so small can affect people in such a big way! Wrong! In fact, the effects of smiling date back to ancient China with a simple but powerful proverb, “A man without a smiling face should not open a shop”. The proverb teaches us that without a smile there is a great chance your shop (in this case, your life) will not prosper as much as it could, or it may not even prosper at all.

Still not convinced? Let’s take a look at science. So, how does smiling affect those around you? According to an article in Psychology Today called “There’s Magic in Your Smile” written by Ronald E Riggio Ph.D. smiles are actually contagious, so much so that when someone smiles the brain can’t help but return the favor and smile back.

In a Swedish study, people were shown pictures of other people with different emotions, ranging from joy, sadness, and even anger. And when the picture of someone smiling came up, the researchers asked the people to frown. To their amazement, the people struggled to frown and instead started to imitate the smile. A person can consciously choose not to smile, but unconsciously your brain will naturally imitate a smile. In fact, smiling actually can change a person’s entire day from a terrible one to a good one.

Moving away from the technical aspect and factoids, let’s look at an ordinary day. You have practiced and trained for a moment in your life, and you finally believe you have made it; this is your time and chance only to find out it’s not your time and you need to work harder. You internally start thinking of all the work you put in. Was it worth the effort and the pain you are going through now? In your mind, you believe nothing can stop you from feeling this way, until a friend, a stranger, a family member, a teacher walks up with a great and warm meaningful smile. They start talking to you, and maybe they crack a joke, or ask about your day – creating that slight smile on your face, and slowly the negativity fades, and joy fills your body. You start thinking it may not be your time now, but it will be in the future. All of this came from something as simple and small as a smile. A second ago you were worried and contemplating where you wasted your time, and now you are building yourself up again.

Just Smile!

Now I want you to think about the effects of a smile and how contagious they can be, not to mention how powerful and mood altering they can be. When you head to school, I challenge you to take 2 weeks and just smile. Smile at people you would have never smiled at before, such as that person who sits alone at lunch – flash a smile at them and see how it changes their mood. Be there for others. Smile at your teachers as a way of showing gratitude for having them in your life. Smile at your friends, family … smile at the world!

Watch and see how a smile can not only change the world around you but more importantly watch and see how a smile can change you.

Contributed by Free2Luv Advocate Michael Scotten

A Simple Smile = A Positive Change

The Power of a Smile

Just Smile!

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