When you feel depressed, it can seem like the world is crashing down on you. You're listless, apathetic, disengaged. You don't sleep or eat like you should. You lose interest in hobbies and activities that normally put you in a good mood. You avoid others' company. All you want to do is cry, stare at the wall, and be alone. Whether you're melancholy following a layoff or breakup, there are two things you can do to help combat the debilitating feelings brought on by depression. Mind you, these strategies alone won't do away with such symptoms, but at the very least, they'll help take your mind off whatever is troubling you temporarily. I realize people who have been medically diagnosed with depression may find these to be of little use, but they may come in handy for those with only occasional bouts. 1. Staying busy - By keeping busy with other things -- say, doing chores around the house, writing a novel, fixing your car -- you direct your thoughts a...

You should find time in the day to laugh, what I and many others consider to be one of the most enjoyable reactions human beings are capable of. There's nothing like cracking up -- when something is so funny that you can't help but cry, or drool. There have been several occasions where my wife, friends, and I are having dinner, and someone says something so funny that I all but choke on my food. And then the icing on the cake is when your laughter provokes the same reaction in those you're with. A second person starts laughing, then a third, and so on. When I'm feeling angry or sad, there's nothing like a hilarious joke or incident to turn my frown upside down. It's just what the doctor ordered. A good laugh is so powerful that it can completely change one's mood in a matter of seconds. If I had to make a list of the things I enjoy doing the most, laughing would be high up the list, along with sleeping and eating. Not only is it therapeutic, but it...

Most of us have been there at some point or another: You're in a relationship with someone, head over heels in love and convinced you have the makings of a fruitful marriage. Then, one day the two of you have a misunderstanding of some sort or an intense argument that either spells the end of the relationship or serves as the first of many spats to come. In the latter case, the relationship gets weaker and weaker over time until it becomes apparent that it has eroded into nothing. Naturally, we're going to feel unhappy, depressed, even lost for some time after the breakup. Some find it very hard to cope with the reality that the person they thought they might be with for the rest of their life is out of the picture for good. But it doesn't all have to be gloom and doom. What follows are three fantastic tips that will help you get back on your feet. Even if you've never  had to deal with a breakup, you'll want to read these tips should you ever find yourself in t...

Have you noticed that men tend to keep their emotions bottled up, especially when they're sad or upset? Even though I'm a man, I don't find it wrong to express my feelings when I need to reach out for support and know it'll help me feel better. A lot of my friends become quite uncommunicative when they're going through a tough time in their lives. They should be doing just the opposite. Just like society frowns upon women who are too sexually liberal, it seems to look down on men who are in touch with and open about their emotions. I understand that men shouldn't overdo it -- no one wants to see a guy bawling his eyes out all the time. But to constantly repress one's emotions is not healthy -- if anything, it can cause feelings of sadness or anger to intensify, making you feel even worse. In my view, venting is soothing for the mind, body, and soul. Guys who claim that expressing how they feel to their male friends -- or, even worse, their partners...

While I tend to be quite open with my wife about how I feel, many of my male friends do the exact opposite. In fact, they tend to alienate themselves from me -- and presumably others -- when they're going through tough times in their lives. Based on what I've gathered, the reason men don't like to express themselves simply boils down to this: they feel others will perceive it as weakness. But what men have to understand is that we're only human. It's okay for men to cry. It's okay for men to admit they need a shoulder to lean on. Women won't think any less of you if you get emotional. Sure, most women would prefer that men not overdo it. For example, they wouldn't want their partners to cry more than they do. But the notion that men should not cry under any circumstances is absolutely ludicrous. If anything, most women prefer that men shed tears when justified -- it shows a sensitive part of them that probably doesn't come out often. And men do...

It's just one of countless stereotypes that never seem to go away: that men are purely rational creatures who don't show emotion. I am a man and not ashamed to admit that I show a healthy dose of emotion. I can't bear to see a dead animal, or one in any sort of pain. I had a cat for 25 years that I found dead in my yard in 2005. I had another cat who vanished on a cool December night, never to be seen again. I found my third cat -- only about a year and a half at the time -- lying lifeless across the street from my home. I cried all three times as if i had lost a member of the family. I also cry whenever I see sad stories involving animals in movies or TV shows. I have also cried when I have confronted challenging moments, like when I was laid off in the throes of the financial crisis and felt like I'd never find a half-decent job. So, if there was any doubt in your mind as to whether men have shows of affection, there's your answer. Now, for women, is there...