Is Happiness always a choice?

Today I choose to be HAPPY. 

Why? Because I can. I’ve heard people say happiness is a choice, that we can chose it. Like heading into the fruit shop and deciding between the sad looking bruised apple, or the shiny happy apple. Easy as that!

If only! It is not always as easy as that. Ask anyone with anxiety or depression and they will tell you they wish it was that easy. Lots of people still remain so uneducated when it comes to Mental Illness, people often think that depression is something you should just be able to snap out of. Now I’m not going to pretend I am some expert here, or go into heavy detail about Anxiety, Depression or other mental illness, there are plenty of websites for that. But what I want to say is that it is time people educated themselves about mental illness and dropped the thoughtless comments and help break the out of date stigmas attached to mental illness.

First of all accept that Mental Illness is just that, an illness! Just like someone with Diabetes or Heart Disease can’t ‘snap out‘ of their illness neither can people with Mental Illness. Just like Diabetes and Heart Disease there is treatment and management plans for people with Mental Illness, there are medication and therapies, and natural helpers too like meditation, exercise, a healthy lifestyle and surrounding yourself with positive and supportive people. But many people still seem to believe that having Depression or Anxiety is a choice, it is a weakness, it is an excuse to get out of things! But it is far from any of that. Living with Mental Illness is hell, it is so hard on the people around the sufferer and even harder on the sufferer themselves.

Medication and therapy won’t fix things overnight either, it will take time! For some people it will be a temporary illness, it may last 12 months or 2 years, for others it will be a lifelong struggle. But it will never be as easy as ‘snapping out of it’ and to say that is highly insulting. Yes there is treatment and yes life will get better, easier and happier again, but give people the time and support to recover.

Like I said, you don’t need to be highly educated on Mental Illness, but you do need to respect that it is an illness, it is real, it causes changes in the brain! So next time you come across someone suffering from Mental Illness just be more considerate, choose your words and advice carefully. If you think a friend, family member or colleague at work may be suffering from Depression, Anxiety or Bipolar guide them towards help and be respectful. Don’t take it on board as something you can fix, but do suggest they get help. If you think you may be feeling depressed, or anxious or in need of help don’t be afraid to seek advice it is a treatable and manageable illness, with help you can get back to living a happy and healthy life.

The holiday season can be magical, fun and full of laughs, but for some it is a lonely time or a highly anxious time with the increase in social events. Look after yourself this time of year, make time to relax and unwind, surround yourself with love, get plenty of fresh air and eat well. And please be considerate and understanding of people who are suffering from a real and serious illness.

Sane Australia is a great website that can really help break through the stigma of Mental Illness and help those who need it.

Thanks for joining me, love Mackenzie xx