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It`s not just Monday Morning Blues. I`m talking about `every day blues` - something that comes thanks to increasing stress and is fast becoming a matter of concern. Forget adults, even children seem increasingly prone to mood swings. While depression attacks every 1 in 15 people, studies show that women are more susceptible to the listlessness, general apathy, irritability, lack of appetite and self-esteem that characterise these blues. But there are ways to chase these blues away - try some of these - they work!

Exercise is the best pick-me-up of all. Throw away those tranquillisers and walk, jog, swim or just dance your blues away - at least for about 20 minutes at a time. A workout releases endorphins, which are natural mood lifters that drive out stress-related depression and give you a high.

Exercise your lungs, gurgle and chortle. Learn to laugh at yourself. Once again, it is the magic of endorphins.

You`ll be surprised how the art of concentration and reflection helps control mood swings.

Forgive and forget : Let go of irritants that prey on the mind and heighten stress levels.

Sometimes, the company you keep can affect your moods. Have happy and contented people around you; those with a good sense of humour can make a substantial difference to your outlook. Look for a man who can laugh at himself and hang on to him for life. If nothing, the association will teach you to laugh at yourself. And that is a big mood-lifter!

Move away from the mundane. Buy clothes that you haven`t dared to wear before. Change your hairstyle. Opt for the outlandish. Tune into a different kind of music. Shift furniture around. Look at life differently.

Pets are great mood enhancers. The unconditional love a pet gives you is therapeutic; it makes the world a nicer place to be in.

There can be no greater source of joy than the company of children. Getting down to their level and letting your hair down is one helluva way to cheer up. There can never be a dull moment when a toddler is around.

Ever held a paintbrush in your fingers or exercised your vocal chords? Now is the time to start. Paint your emotions in bright colours - green, pink and yellow. Release pent-up fury by painting a fiery picture with red, blazing orange and threatening black. The strokes of the brush will relax you. And hey, you just may discover you have a latent talent. Or simply sing away your blues! Might sound awful, but sing. Loud. It`s therapeutic and will lift your spirits.