10 Tips For Depression

We have all had the blues at some time or another. Whether we feel down because we missed out on a job or a new promotion, we tried at something and failed, or we have been rejected. Feeling down happens and it is quite natural to be sad over things.

Depression, on the other hand is a little more serious than just a couple of days feeling sad over something. Depression can affect you are a lot of different levels for example, your self-esteem, mental well-being, or even physical well-being. While the best treatment for depression is to seek help from your doctor, there are a few other best treatments for depression that you can do on your own. Again, NOTHING beats the help of your family doctor, but there are things you can do yourself to help ease the affects that will certainly go hand in hand with what your doctor recommends:

1. Let the Sun Shine In!

We all produce a hormone called Melatonin which is actually triggered by lack of sunlight. Now Melatonin affects our bodies by making us feel sluggish or tired all the time and can trigger mood changes. The effects of Melatonin are felt more so in the winter because the nights are longer, which is one of the reasons people tend to more prone to depression during winter months than any other season.

By getting out and getting some sun you are lessening the effects that Melatonin can have on your body. So, if you live in a basement apartment or your room has heavy curtains which prevent the suns rays from coming in, open the windows up, brighten up your apartment with brighter lights, or better yet, enjoy the outdoors by taking walks or taking a car drive.

2. Keep Yourself Busy

If you're a person on the go and busy all the time you have no time to sit and feel sorry for yourself. If you are on the go all the time you then you are too busy to realise you are depressed and there's a better chance of overcoming the feelings of depression.

Get into the things you love to do. If what you love to do involves money to do them and you're short on it, then adjust a little and do something else that will get your mind and body busy. Join a sports team, go for walks, hang out with friends a little more (but friends who have a positive mindset, not necessarily people who will feed on your depression).

The idea here is to keep your mind and body active, if you're on the go then you aren't at home thinking about how depressed you feel. You need positive influences and to keep yourself active and NOT focusing on your depression.

3. Eat Right

What we eat affects how we feel physically and mentally. Instead of grabbing the McD's instead think fresh, as in fresh salads, fruits or vegtables. I know, when we're hungry we want that instant gratification that will fill the hole, but altimately we are paying the price on many levels. When we aren't as healthy as we would like we fixaite on that and then depression.

4. Exercise!

I know, I know - the token answer "exercise" and if you suffer from depression the last thing you want to do is go for a run or to the gym, but, when you exercise your body produces endorphins which reduces stress.

5. Try and Stay Away From Sugar

Sugar can give you a boost of energy but it doesn't last for long. A sugar high can later bring about anxiety, tension and other internal problems, which all can contribute to your depression.

6. Stay Away From Alcohol

Alcohol is a depressant and while you may be thinking that you can drink away your problems all you are doing is aggravating your depression more so.

7. Avoid Caffine

Like sugar, caffine brings you up and then drops you like no tomorrow. Caffine can increase anxiety and distress which can also contribute to your depression. Try and cut back on caffine and instead drink more water.

8. Sleep

When you're depressed that's all you want to do is sleep, however, the idea isn't to just sleep your life away. Try and get 8 hours of good sleep every night.

9. Meditation

It may seem a little warm and fuzzy for you, but just taking a little time out each day can do a lot to lessening the effects of your depression. Our mindset is a big contributor to the prolong effects of depression and just by altering how we feel will certainly only help. There are different ways to meditate that will fit within your daily schedule and which can help your thoughts. Give it a shot, you have everything to gain!

10. Get a Pet

Surprisingly studys have show that having a pet can help with aliments. A pet provides you with a sense of responsibility which of course helps with getting you busy. They are also a great source of companionship and helps battle with that "no one ever does anything with me."

These 10 tips will only help ease the effects of depression, however, these do NOT replace the need to go see your doctor in the first place and talk to them about your depression.

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