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Do Things You Like

Overview

Engaging in activities that we enjoy can be beneficial when we are depressed. It can help improve your mood and reduce the symptoms of depression. Some examples of everyday activities are listening to good music, watching a movie or TV show you like, playing an instrument, going to a social event, or playing a game you enjoy. These simple activities can provide a sense of enjoyment and fulfillment, and they can also help distract you from negative thoughts and feelings. Some of the benefits of engaging in activities that we enjoy are listed below.

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Improved mood

Doing things we enjoy can help improve mood by providing a sense of pleasure and fulfillment.


Increased motivation

Doing things we enjoy can help increase motivation by providing a sense of purpose and meaning.


Improved self-esteem

Doing things we enjoy can help improve self-esteem by making us feel good about ourselves and our abilities.


Reduced stress

Doing things we enjoy can help reduce stress by providing a sense of relaxation and relief from everyday demands.


Improved sleep

Doing things we enjoy can help improve sleep by providing a sense of calm and relaxation before bedtime.


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Studies and Videos References

Using Play to Rewire & Improve Your Brain | Huberman Lab Podcast #58
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwyZIWeBpRw&t=983s&ab_channel=AndrewHuberman

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Regulating sadness: Response-independent and response-dependent benefits of listening to music
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/03057356211048545?journalCode=poma

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The effect of music listening on work performance
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0305735605050650?journalCode=poma

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The cognitive effects of listening to background music on older adults
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2014.00284/full

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The Power of Listening to Music
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/act.2018.29193.jha?journalCode=act

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THE BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF SPORT ON ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION
https://www.efsupit.ro/images/stories/imgs/JPES/2010/3/14_macheta.pdf

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The Benefits of Music in Hospital Waiting Rooms
https://journals.lww.com/healthcaremanagerjournal/Abstract/1997/12000/The_Benefits_of_Music_in_Hospital_Waiting_Rooms.7.aspx

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The Therapeutic and Health Benefits of Playing Video Games
https://academic.oup.com/edited-volume/41352/chapter-abstract/352515944?redirectedFrom=fulltext&login=false

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Cognitive Benefits of Playing Video Games
https://www.mountainlaurelsudbury.org/blog/archives/02-2015.html

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The benefits of playing video games
https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fa0034857

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