Everyone gets sad. Sad feelings can happen pretty often. More than half of teenagers go through a sad period at least once a month.

When you’re sad, it feels like it will last forever. However, feelings of. sadness usually don’t last very long-a few hours, or maybe a day or two.

When you’re sad, the world seems dark and unfriendly. Many times, you cry, and it’s hard to stop.

Crying usually makes you feel better. When sadness starts to go away, it feels like a heavy blanket (毛毯) is being lifted from your heart.

If sad feelings go on for too long, it’s called depression (抑郁症). Children who have depression may not know it. Often it’s a parent or teacher who notices changes in children’s behavior.

When depression happens, it’s very important for children to receive treatment (治疗). When they do, they can get better quickly. Sometimes treatment includes talking to someone who knows all about depression. Sometimes it means taking medicine. Sometimes both of these things are used. If you think you have depression, or you just have sadness that simply will not go away, it is important to talk to an adult about it. This person can help you find the right type of treatment. Many cities also have mental health hot lines that are listed in the phone book. There is always somebody who can help.

For years I wanted a garden. I’d spend hours thinking of different things I could plant that would look nice together.

But then we had Mathew, and Marvin, and the twins—Alisa and Alan, and then Helen. I was too busy raising them to grow a garden.

Money was not enough. Neither was time. Often when my children were little, one of them would want something that cost too much, I’d have to say, “Do you see a money tree outside? Money doesn’t grow on trees, you know.”

Finally, all the children got through high school and university and were off on their own. I started thinking again about a garden. Then, one spring morning, on Mother’s Day. I was walking in my kitchen. Suddenly, I looked out of the window and there was a new tree, planted right in my yard. There were things blowing around on it. Then I put my glasses on and I couldn’t believe what I saw. There was a money tree in my yard! I went out to look. It was true! There were dollar bills, one hundred of them, hanging all over that tree. There was also a note among them, “Thank you for your time, Mom. We love you!” Later, my children bought me tools, a sunflower stepping stone and gardening books. A new page started in my life.

That was three years ago. My garden is now very pretty, just like I wanted. When I go out and take care of my flowers, I don’t seem to miss my children as much as I once did. It feels like they’ re right there with me. Now every year when winter comes, I look out of my window and think of the flowers. I’ll see next spring in my little garden. I think about what my children did for me, and I get tears in my eyes every time. I’m still not sure that money grows on trees. But I know love does!

We all have days when we are down, tired and, unhappy. That’s OK. You need days like this, or how would you know you are happy? You’ll enjoy your good days even more when you have a few bad days. Even if sadness is a part of life, let’s try to make it small. Here are a few simple ways to help you feel better when you are feeling sad.

Stand up straight so that this helps your energy flow (流动). When your energy is flowing freely, you can flow too.

Smile! It’s easy to do and have good results. This way can not only leave you in a good mood but also bring others a good mood.

Listen to music. It can be your favorite music. Some kinds of music work better than others, so try and find out what kind of music works the best for you.

Take some “me” time. You can find happiness in reading a book, watching a sunrise or having a hot bath, or something like that.

Exercise. Even something as simple as taking a walk will get your blood flowing. It is a great way to clear your mind of anything that makes you sad.

These ways will cheer you up when you are down, but don’t just use them when you are sad. Try and practice them every day to make them a habit. You will be surprised to learn that these simple ways will keep your sadness away. But if you are in a deep depression (沮丧), go to see a doctor.