How to cheer up?

Go for a walk or a run. Try to distract yourself with a book or movie. If you’re going to watch a movie make it a comedy.

Sorry about your family problems. I have some of my own and they suck to say the least.

Family problems suck, no matter what age you are.

Don’t dwell on it or let it run in your head over and over—find something else to think about.

And yes, a good walk often helps—as long as you’re not mulling over the problem too much.

A cafe-mocha-valium-vodka-latte.

Get up earlier than normal. Take care of the menial tasks that people do every morning early and then realize you have time to relax in the mornings, have a cup of coffee, read the paper, get on fluther or whatever it is you like to do.

A very old saying (even before Ben Franklin) is still very true: “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man [or woman] healthy, wealthy, and wise.

Go ahead and cry. I’ve never found bottling up or ignoring emotions to be a particularly effective way of dealing with them. Better to experience them and let them go. Afterwards get out and go for a walk, take a drive, catch a movie, find a park and read a book, do a little window shopping. The point being, once it’s done, it’s done, even if just for today, so move on to something enjoyable, you deserve it. Plus, sitting around dwelling on it only serves to maintain attachments to the emotions rather than letting them pass.

I’m so sorry you are having issues with your family! If you can afford it, please go talk to a counselor. If you can’t afford it, there are services out there to help. (Some insurance companies will pay for counseling services.) Don’t try to do this alone. It’s important to talk to someone who is un-biased and will give true, honest opinion. If you’re depressed, medication will help. But please, go talk to a professional. And good luck!!!

Appreciate even small changes for the better. Don’t give up. Cut yourself some slack! And if you are down from time to time or even a lot of the time, try to make some changes for the better but also don’t be to hard on yourself. You will be able to look back on this time later and you will be proud of yourself for having made it through all the difficulties!