With the change of the seasons, it is a good idea to be aware of where we are at, and to take good care of ourselves. Here are some ideas about how to recognize and cope with the blues, SAD, or depression. It's a lot of information, so later in the season, I might break it down into one a day ......to keep the winter depression at bay!!! ♥

This is not meant to be depressing........it is just information for us, so we can make good decisions for healthy living for ourselves.

Steps

Determine if you really are depressed, and what the problem is. Do you lack motivation? Do you have trouble enjoying things that you used to? Do you cry a lot? Does it seem that nothing is really worth doing? Do you feel that your life is meaningless? If so, it is possible that are sinking into the psychological quicksand of clinical depression.

1.Get plenty of sleep In the modern world, there is an increasing problem of people not getting enough sleep. Practice good sleep hygiene and try to get at least eight hours. Depression and anxiety of any sort can interfere with sleep, so this may or may not be possible.

2.Get out of bed in the morning. If this is something you are struggling with, ask a friend to call you in the morning to make sure you are awake.

3.Exercise. A recent study showed exercise to be as effective as Zoloft (a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or SSRI) in treating depression. Exercise is very good for body and mind. Depression can make it hard to work up the motivation and energy to do it, but it is well worth a try. You may find long walks easier than other forms of exercise - put one foot in front of the other, and walk as far as you are able. You might work up to even 1 or 2 hours every day, but start off with shorter walks. Even if you can only manage a few minutes to start, that is still a good starting point.

4.Watch your favorite comedy, talk with people who make you laugh, visit your childhood hangouts or do anything that helps you remember happier times.

5.Think about happy thoughts. Focus on the details.

6.Go out and do something you enjoy. Buy yourself something nice, get a new haircut, or eat a good meal.

7.To get your mind off your own problems try to think of some way (big or small) you can help someone else.

8.Talk to friends or anyone who will give you support. If you’re feeling really down, have them make a list of your best qualities.

9.Find positive outlets and channels for your emotions: music, writing, whatever.

10.Don’t compare yourself to other people. Compare yourself to you at your lowest point in the past and think about what’s better now. Pat yourself on the back for it. If you think you’re at your lowest point ever, then imagine one small thing (the tiniest thing you can think of) that you know you can make better. And then move on from there.

11.Don’t obsess about it or be hard on yourself if you still feel depressed or aren’t happy. Nothing’s more depressing than being angry at yourself for being depressed.

12.Change your life. Often times depression results from a deep-rooted desire to be in a different situation than you are right now. If you don’t like your parents, move out of your house. If you don’t like your city, move to a different one. If you don’t like your job, find a new one.

13.Avoid poisonous people. Although you may show your unhappiness by acting depressed, others may reveal it through negativity, treating others badly, exercising power over others, insulting others, etc. Also avoid other depressed people. Depression is contagious. It may be hard to find happy people who are willing to help you out of your funk, but it’s worth it.

14.Read the Bible and pray if you’re Christian. The Bible offers anwsers to life questions. And if you pray, god will help you. Pray every day, and even if it doesn’t work for several months, continue to pray. Don’t think it’s the end of the world. Your depression won’t be forever unless you have faith in God. Eventually you’ll start feeling less pain on your shoulders!

15.Seek counseling. High school counselors and University counselors are paid the same amount no matter how many people they see, so they have no incentive to keep you coming back to them.

16.Seek medical advice from a trusted family doctor if you have persistent depression. A doctor may prescribe an anti-depressant if appropriate. However, keep in mind that it may be more appropriate to seek the help of a psychiatrist, as family doctors are not as equipped to correctly diagnose and treat clinical depression, or to distinguish between it and disorders which may display similar symptoms but require different treatment.

17.Diet & Nutrion: Ensure that you are including in your diet healthy foods and proper liquids. Too often than not we either neglect eating all together when we are depressed as well as drinking fluids or we eat too much of our favorite manufactured, chemically engineered foods with no nutrional value as well as inadvertantly robbing us of our much needed nutrients to survive all the same with drinking too much of our favorite sodas, coffees, ‘fake’ juice like drinks or turning to alcohol to ease our depressed mood.

18. One does not have to make drastic changes to their diet but just adding in a few will make a world of difference and the effects are amazingly positive and instantaneous. Add in some of your favorite fruits or salads. Try ice cold water with a bit of lemon if you have trouble drinking water. Even one glass of water is helpfull and instead of sodas try your favorite sports drink (i.e. Gatorade, Propel, etc.) these alone will replenish your lost electrolytes that your body must have and as mentioned earlier. The results will be instant and you’ll be amazed wondering why you didn’t do it sooner.