Feeling depressed?

By Shannon Swenson

Consider trying these strategies to address your depression:

Take care of your body.

When your body is poorly taken care of, your mind suffers too. One of the best things you can do when you’re feeling depressed is to put some emphasis on your body. Eight hours of sleep, healthy food, and a reasonable dose of exercise can do wonders for your mood.

Spruce up your envi-

ronment. It’s maybe time to declutter. Buy a plant. Hang some artwork that you love. Pick up your bedroom and make your bed.

Get outside. Fresh air and sunshine can be just what you need when your mood is poor. Go for a long walk and just enjoy being outside.

Play a game. It could be a board game, lawn game, or video game. Play a game and have some fun. If you can do it with someone else, that’s even better.

Create something. Paint a picture. Build a deck on your house. Hang a shelf in the garage. Make a website. Create something and notice how it impacts your mood.

Use affirmations. Fill your mind and attention with positive thoughts and ideas by using affirmations. Make a list of 10 positive things you can say to yourself and repeat them as much as you can.

Stay busy. This one is tough, because you likely want to sit around and do nothing, but that’s likely to make you feel even worse. Use your time wisely by giving some of the other tips on the list a try.

Make a reasonable plan for the future and begin

working on it. Depression leads to getting stuck. One of the best ways to get unstuck is to create a vision for the future and begin working toward that. It might give your mood a great boost.

Interact with others. Avoid spending all of your time alone. At the very least, find someone online to chat with. Ideally, find someone you can see in the flesh and have a conversation with them.

Remember your accom-

plishments. Give yourself something positive to think about by remembering all the great things you’ve done. Recall those memories.

Depression should be

taken seriously. There are things you can try before calling your physician. If you’re really under the weather or have thoughts of hurting yourself, ensure that you see your doctor.

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DIY

By Lori Mork

I’m always on the lookout for unique gifts for weddings and showers, especially something that can be personalized just for them.

A few years ago, I found some wine labels that commemorated a couples’ marriage milestones – first anniversary, birth of a child, first fight, first Christmas – something the two could celebrate.

They were fun and a great gift, but then I wondered what I could do to personalize them even more.

I found some wonderful wine labels that work in either an injet or laser printer, and, using a design program that I had on my computer, set up some basic designs.

From there, I requested some engagement pictures of the couples I was creating the gift for, adding those to the design. I took elements from their announcements to include on the labels, adding in the date of the wedding, the brand of wine or champagene, the bridal party and where the wedding and reception were being held. I also had different sizes for regular wine and champagne.

After printing my customized labels, I then had to remove the ones on the wine bottles and clean off the excess glue. That took a little work, but with some adhesive remover and a little elbow grease, I had them cleaned and ready for their new labels.

From there, it was a matter of centering the labels and adhering them to the bottles. I measured to get the front and back labels on evenly.

I packaged the wine bottles with some beautiful crystal glasses and a few other pieces from the registries for

Give a special gift with customized wine labels shower and wedding gifts. The labels were a hit with all my nieces and nephews and just an added special touch for the people I love. If you don’t have access to your own design program, there are several sites online with free labels, including FTD •Chiropractic Care •Certified Acupuncturist •CME by Design, Canva, LoveToK-

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