What we feed our mind, eyes, ears affects our lives because the state of our heart and mind are important for our well being. Whatever happens to both affects us inwardly and outwardly. Happiness, joy, sadness, discomfort, peace, comfort, etc are a results of what we believe in our mind.
Often times, our minds wander off and takes us to a state we never planned to be. It doesn't do this on it own. We don't just become unhappy, there is always a catalyst. The catalyst could be what someone did or said, what happened to us, what we saw or heard. Then our mind begins pondering on it more and like some people, they over think even when it's something little. Not getting rid of those thoughts and assumptions will everntually lead to unhappiness, heavy heart and depression. Besides, some are caused by what happen naturally, like the economy of a nation.
There are always more than enough reasons to be sad, they are around us, we can easily point at them. But joy, peace, happiness comes from within; comes from deep thoughts about the 'little good things' in your life.
When I'm down and feel so uninterested in many things, what I do first is try to focus my mind on things that matters or something that would brings some sort of joy. If that doesn't work, I confess the Word; I use the part of the scriptures that talk about joy, happiness etc. Recently, I repeatedly say " I have the mind of Christ" when my mind clouded or thinking negative.
Another way is intentionally going to friends to talk, play and disturb so I can keep my mind off any worry. Sometimes, being around a friends is enough for me, it's like their presence keeps me sane; unlike staying alone, worrying might become despression. You don't have to do anything to be sad, there are lots of reasons to be sad. But, being joyful has to be intentional. You have to own and fight for your joy.
Though sadness or depression blindly let you stay away from people, you'd think you are alone reflecting on yourself but you are deep into depression already. When I feel like this, I'd go out of my hostel, take a long walk. I look around the whole street while walking trying to find something that interests me, sometimes I repeat a particular phrase or bible verse till I forget or feel better.
Another way I stay happy and avoid being sad or depressed is watching movies. I do this a lot of time. Action, Thrillers, Crime, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and maybe a little bit of romance. Those are the kind of movies I love to watch, they keep my mind from wandering into what would make me sad. Through out the last 2 months, I made sure I had movies to watch because the inflation almost got me thinking every second. Music also help me; I arrange some somgs into into a playlist, hold my pillow and sing along (very dramatic 😂). And if it's a song that's dancable, I'd probably dance moving side to side in rhythm to the beat.
Let nothing steal your joy, protect your mind at all cost.