Midlife Suicides Rise 20% - What's Going On?

Earlier this month I wrote a blog on how midlife is the toughest time for most of us.  Yesterday in the New York Times there was a front page article on how 40 to 64 year olds are deciding to end the pain by taking their own lives.  The lack of research as to the why this is happening is giving way to a myriad of theories. 

One of the more popular theories was a drop in hormone replacement therapy after the Women's Health Initiative scared both women and doctors back in 2002.  Personally, I believe this more than a theory.  When your hormones are not in balance it affects everything about you.  They control how your body functions. 

These days the researchers are pointing  to the skyrocketing abuse of prescription drugs as #1 reason for so many suicides.  We're all too familiar with the Heath Ledger tragedy and drug users have a 15 to 25 times greater risk of untimely death as the general population.

So, why are we so unhappy?  There are a million reasons:  the stressful lives we lead, our lack of appreciation for what we have, and worrying too much about what other people think. It's easy to come up with a list of why we're not the happiest campers around.  But, why is it so hard for us to make a list of the reasons we are the luckiest so and sos on the planet?   

What can we do to fortify ourselves from depression?  Reach for the better thought.  We have to tame our monkey minds. We have to train ourselves to switch from a thought that depresses to a thought that refreshes.  That's the first step to a new outlook. I'm not suggesting that you can go from unhappy to happy in an instant, but you can get there one step at a time if you make it a priority.

First, become a person who is conscious.  Pay attention to what you are thinking.  Your thoughts affect everything about you.  If you are thinking depressing thoughts you will be become more and more depressed.  What I do is notice my thoughts.  When I notice one that I know isn't good for me I say next, next, next until I find a thought that is better.  When I string enough better ones together I feel more alive.  And, from that new place my day just gets better.

I would suggest that every day you find time for something you enjoy.  This isn't a luxury - it's a necessity.  Remember when you are feeling good - good things are attracted to you.  Life is meant to be enjoyed.  Do whatever you can to make that happen.