Depression: Recovery Tips to Fight Sadness

Depression is real....a clinical diagnosis for which medication and sometimes counseling is required. It can be crippling and debilitating, but there are things you can do right now to help lift your spirits, if even for a short time. The following are some things that have been proven to help in your recovery. These are tools, use them wisely!

Take a brisk walk, or exercise. It has been proven to help with the symptoms of depression by raising mood enhancing neurotransmitters in your brain.

Get enough sleep, at least 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep nightly. Lack of sleep can make depression worse.

Turn on the radio, and sing and dance. Listen to music that inspires you and makes you happy. If you love rock, or country, or jazz, this is what you should be listening to. Beware of "downer" music, as it will do nothing more than re-affirm that you should be depressed!

Write in a journal every day. This alone has been proven to be a therapeutic method towards recovery.

If you drink, stop. Alcohol counteracts the effects of depression medication, as well as contributes to the problem. It is a central nervous system depressant.

Get excited about something. Find something to look forward to. If you have nothing to look forward to, plan something! This could be as simple as an outing to a park with a friend. Make an appointment for a manicure, or have a friend paint your nails. It doesn't have to be complex! Keep it simple.

Visualize yourself as happy. Fake it 'til you make it. If you keep visualizing yourself as being unhappy, you will be. It will also drive friends and family away at a time you need them most.

Don't alienate your friends and family. Keep your circle of friends intact, unless there is a harmful relationship you must break away from. Avoid negative people and negative situations.

Do not burden others with your troubles. They know you have problems, and they have problems too. They are not here to be your doormat or counselor. If you need counseling, choose a counselor, not a friend. It wears people down to see you this way all the time. This goes back to tip number 8. If you gripe and complain all the time, you put a negative energy out there that will accomplish nothing, and damage your friendship.

Open your shades. Sitting in the dark will make depression worse. Get some light into your life. It has been proven to be therapeutic to be exposed to sunlight. I am not suggesting that you sit out in the sun, as that will increase your risk for skin cancer, but opening the shades will improve your mood.