The Happiness Prescription is watching Joel Osteen, reading uplifting quotes, walking for exercise, healthy-eating, and writing in a gratitude journal.
Watching Joel Osteen when you’re feeling depressed can be a powerful way to lift your spirit and renew your mind. His messages are filled with faith-driven insights, encouragement, positivity, that remind you of your worth and potential, even when you are in a depression fog. Joel’s soothing voice and uplifting words often focus on overcoming challenges, finding purpose, and embracing a brighter future, which can provide a much-needed shift in your focus. His teachings encourage you to trust in God’s plan, take small steps toward reclaiming joy and peace in your life, and to focus on gratitude. This connection to a higher purpose and his relatable stories make his sermons a comforting companion on the journey to emotional healing.
Some people say that Joel Osteen is a prosperity preacher and have a problem with that. Whoever has a problem with a prosperity preacher has never been depressed. You want to be happy and Joel Osteen is uplifting.
You can watch Joel Osteen’s messages on YouTube to learn how to handle life’s challenges in positive ways. I have watched these Joel Osteen messages. At the time of this writing, these Joel Osteen messages are on YouTube:
Choose To Be Happy
Dealing with Negative Thoughts
Build Yourself Up
A Sound of Mind
A New Mindset
Stay Positive About Yourself
Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things”
Reading uplifting quotes daily when you are depressed can serve as a powerful tool to renew your mind and spark moments of positivity. These short, impactful messages act as mental anchors, providing a sense of hope and shift of focus even during times when you are in a depression fog. Daily quotes provide a consistent source of inspiration, helping you stay encouraged and motivated to take small steps toward healing. You will be reminded that you are not alone and that strength and joy are within your reach. Over time, this practice can cultivate a sense of peace in the garden of your mind and reinforce the belief that brighter days are ahead.
Here are 10 quotes that will help you focus on peace, happiness, and gratitude. When a negative thought of what you did in the past comes: say in your mind you forgive yourself and it will go away.
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” ~ Bible – Isaiah 26:3
“Whatever follows ‘I am’ will always come looking for you. I am blessed. I am free. I am valuable. I am content. I am secure. I am victorious. I am prosperous. I am forgiven. I am protected. I am healthy. I am talented. I am wise. ” ~ Joel Osteen
“Your mind is a garden—what you plant in it today will grow tomorrow. Feed it peace, joy, and hope, and watch your spirit flourish.” ~ Joel Osteen
“The more grateful you are, the more aware you become that God is working in your life.” ~ Rick Warren
“When you focus on being a blessing, God makes sure that you are always blessed in abundance.” ~ Joel Osteen
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” ~ Bible (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” ~ Bible (Psalm 107:1)
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” ~ Bible (Proverbs 17:22)
“Happiness is always a choice. So look for ways to be happy every day.” ~ Joel Osteen
“One of the first choices we make every day is your attitude. Wake up and put on an attitude of thanksgiving!” ~ Victoria Osteen
Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor. See your medical doctor before starting your exercise regimen and/or changing your diet.
Walking for exercise when you are depressed is a simple yet powerful way to boost your mood and enhance your overall well-being. It helps reduce stress by releasing your brain’s natural “feel-good” chemicals, which can alleviate feelings of anxiety and sadness. Walking provides a refreshing change of scenery that can be uplifting. Even a short walk can boost energy levels, enhance clarity, and create a sense of accomplishment. As you establish a routine, walking becomes a powerful tool for cultivating a healthier, happier state of mind.
In the beginning, unless you are already a walker, you will not just start walking 2 miles. To begin you can walk .25 of a mile a few days and when you are comfortable increase your walking to .50 of a mile. Keep increasing your distance until you get to 2 miles. In addition, to begin walking you don’t have to have your active wear. You can begin walking in jeans and a pair of tennis shoes you probably already have. You can walk once a week to start with and increase your walking frequency as you are comfortable. I walk throughout my apartment complex because there are no parks nearby. Getting some sunlight is good for you, also. Stay hydrated because dehydration can cause depression.
Eating brain-boosting foods when you are depressed can significantly enhance your mood, mental clarity, and overall well-being. Nutrient-rich foods like fatty fish, leafy greens, berries, nuts, and seeds, provide essential omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins that support brain health and reduce inflammation linked to depression. These foods help regulate mood neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. Consuming a balanced diet with these superfoods can also improve cognitive function and energy levels, making it easier to tackle daily challenges. Over time, by nourishing your brain with the right nutrients you can create a positive cycle of better mental health and increased motivation to continue on your wellness journey.
Here are anti-depression recipes with 4 ingredients. I prompted Chatgpt for these recipes but made a few changes when I made them. I selected 4 ingredients so you will not become overwhelmed with too many ingredients. The prompt is, “You are a dietician expert. Provide 5 anti-depression brain-boosting recipes with 4 ingredients.” I provided the prompt so you can prompt Chatgpt for more recipes with more ingredients when you are ready.
Banana and Almond Smoothie
Ingredients:
– 1 ripe banana
– 1 tablespoon almond butter
– 1 cup almond milk
– 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
Instructions:
1. Blend the banana, almond butter, and almond milk until smooth.
2. Add honey for sweetness if desired.
The benefits are that bananas are a good source of magnesium and B-vitamins, which help with mood regulation. Almond butter provides healthy fats for brain function.
Greek Yogurt with Blueberries
Ingredients:
– 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
– 1/2 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
– 1 teaspoon chia seeds
– 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
Instructions:
1. Stir the blueberries and chia seeds into the yogurt.
2. Drizzle with honey for sweetness if desired.
The benefits are that greek yogurt provides probiotics, which are essential for gut-brain health, and blueberries are packed with antioxidants that support brain function.
Avocado and Egg Toast
Ingredients:
– 1 ripe avocado
– 2 eggs
– 1 slice of whole grain bread
– Salt and pepper (optional)
Instructions:
1. Toast the whole grain bread.
2. Mash the avocado and spread it on the toast.
3. Scramble or fry the eggs, and place them on top.
4. Season with salt and pepper if desired.
The benefits are avocados are rich in healthy fats, and eggs provide choline, which both, support brain health.
Salmon Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients:
– 1 wild-caught salmon fillet
– 4 large romaine lettuce leaves
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– Squeeze of lemon juice
Instructions:
1. Mix the salmon with olive oil and lemon juice.
2. Spoon the salmon mixture into the lettuce leaves.
3. Roll up the lettuce leaves to create wraps.
The benefits are that wild-caught salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to improve mood and cognitive function.
Dark Chocolate Almond Bark
Ingredients:
– 1 cup dark chocolate (70% or higher cacao)
– 1/2 cup almonds
– 1 tablespoon coconut oil
– Sea salt (optional)
Instructions:
1. Melt the dark chocolate with coconut oil over low heat or in a microwave.
2. Stir in the almonds.
3. Spread the mixture on parchment paper, sprinkle with sea salt if desired, and refrigerate until firm.
The benefits are dark chocolate contains flavonoids that improve blood flow to the brain, while almonds provide healthy fats for mood stability.
Writing in a gratitude journal when you are depressed can be a transformative practice, helping to shift your focus from what’s wrong to what’s right in your life. By consciously reflecting on things you’re thankful for, no matter how small, you create moments of positivity that counterbalance feelings of sadness. This simple habit rewires your brain to notice and appreciate the good. Gratitude journaling also reinforces a sense of connection to yourself and others. Over time, this practice can reduce stress and improve your overall outlook.
My Story
For a long time, I isolated myself because I thought my family didn’t love me. Depression made me feel disconnected from everyone but with medication, I realized that healing doesn’t happen in isolation. While I was in a depression fog, I compared myself to others who appeared to be thriving, was fatigued, and had negative thought patterns.
Medication was my bridge. My depression medication did not do it all. Your dosage can increase, stay the same, or decrease.
I started reaching out to others. I went to a naturopathic doctor who put me on over 9 supplements, told me to walk for exercise, and changed my diet. I couldn’t keep up with the supplement regimen. I went to a grief counselor who started me on my gratitude journal. After I stopped seeing both naturopathic doctor and grief counselor, I began to watch Joel Osteen, and write uplifting quotes from Joel Osteen books. Slowly I started to change my routine because I continued walking for exercise, healthy eating, writing in my gratitude journal, watching Joel Osteen, and writing/reading uplifting quotes. My depression medication was reduced and that’s how I started my journey to overcome depression. Now I’m here to help others find their way too.
