How does one avoid getting depressed?
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Your mental health is linked to your physical health so a good  diet and regular exercise will help. In places with hard winters some people get seasonal affective disorder due to the lack of exposure to sunlight. Your "self-talk" is very important too so if feeling down maybe write a list of all the ways you are a great person and why others like you. Comparing yourself negatively with other people won't help. Maybe write down every day one thing you can be thankful for. If you are feeling depressed talk about it with others or seek medical advice. You are not alone and people care.
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Open your eyes and realize that life is too short to be sad. You don't have to sad if you don't want to. I would undertsand your melancholia, if for example, you have recently dealt with a family member who has died. But really, you must find the source of the depression and fix it. Simple. Now, I have never gone through any such depression, as I am only 16, and have led a so far, happy life. If I ever did feel depressed, that is how I would approach it. Don't ever take antidepressants. They will only worsen things. Your body will become addicted to them, and you will see antidepressants as your "only way out" so to speak.\n\nGood Luck!
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"HUG" look after yourself. so many people care about you, even if they dont show it. and if they dont, i care. i became really depressed in the middle of the year.. :( and im a bit depressed now. i didnt get really bad tho.. but u have to be strong. no one can really get u over depression except yourself. be true to yourself in life and there are always ups and downs. i guess... everything happens for a reason..\n\ni hope this helps! be strong and dont listen to those other uncaring sons of bitches that say shoot urself or something ok!\n"hug" good luck!!!! suzie
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You have to get busy.  thats the main thing for getting out of it.  If it's long term there may be another problem causing it and there are thousands of those it seems.  But regular depression with a short term duration is actually pretty normal.  Whether you want to or not get out and interact.  Sitting around doing this will make it worse.  Be busy and be around people, stay away from alcohol or drugs because they will definitely make it worse, and if this doesn't work or you feel like you'll do something drastic to yourself or someone else, don't trust yourself and seek some help right away.  it's in the yellow pages in the kitchen under the sink.
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IT'S VERY EASY FOR SOMEONE TO TELL YOU TO LIVE YOUR LIFE AND WATCH MOVIES TO MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER. THE TRUTH IS WHEN SOMEONE TELLS YOU THAT, THEY DON'T CARE AND DON'T WANT TO BE BOTHERED WITH YOUR SITUATION. IT'S REALLY HARD TO SAY HOW TO GET OVER DEPRESSION,BECAUSE ITS LIKE CANCER VERY DEADLY.MY BEST ANSWER TO YOU IS, TALK TO GOD AND BELIEVE IN HIM THAT HE WILL HELP YOU. NOTHING NOR NO-ONE IS TOO MUCH OR POWERFUL FOR HIM.GOD CAN HEAL ALL THINGS,ALONG WITH DEPRESSION. ASK HIM TO LIFT THAT FROM YOUR BODY,MIND,AND SOUL,AND YOU WILL BE HEALED. TRUST HIM AND ONLY HIM AND HE WILL MAKE A WAY.
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Well, you know there is always counselling and supports available to you in your community, but have you tried the self-help approaches? Here are some good tips that you can try at home to see if this lessens your depression. Best of luck.\n\n"GET OUT OF BED: \n\nOne of the most important things you can do is get up at about the same time every morning (even week-ends). Preferably, that means about 7 a.m. or earlier. You might not feel like it but Get Up. Such regularity helps your body function more normally so you're more likely to feel normal. \n\nLIGHTS: \n\nLight helps your body function better. So turn on a lot of lights as soon as you arise. Open curtains to get more sunlight. Better yet, go outdoors into the sunshine as soon as you can. Remove any eyewear so light will enter more readily (glass cuts out some of the sun's rays). But don't stare at the sun, of course. \n\nMOVE: \n\nBe active right away -- oxygenate! That means getting up and walking around your dwelling for five or 10 minutes, or perhaps riding an exercycle. Mild exercise gets the blood flowing and transports more oxygen throughout your body (especially to your brain), helping you feel mentally alert and alive. \n\nMUSIC: \n\nSelect and play some energetic, happy music as you dress and have your breakfast. The audiovisual department of most libraries has albums and tapes you can check out. \n  \n\nBREAKFAST: \n\nBegin your breakfast with protein (i.e., meat, eggs, peanut butter, nuts, cheese). When you get up, your body chemistry is ready to convert food, especially protein,into longlasting energy. To balance your most important meal of the day, add an orange or other fresh fruit and whole grain cereal or whole grain bread. \n\nTALK WITH SOMEONE: \n\nOne of the quickest ways to beat the blues is to interact with others. You might not feel like doing that - you'd rather avoid people when blue. So make lt easier on yourself. Talk with someone you enjoy about a subject you enjoy so there is definite give and take. \n\nAnd, force yourself to say "hello" to the persons next to you in class, those where you live, anyone around. \n\nLIMIT CAFFEINE: \n\nThe long-term (four hours or so) effects of caffeine are depression. Try to limit coffee to no more than one cup in the morning. Coffee can make you more alert for an hour or so, but later you get an opposite reaction. Caffeine tends to increase the release of insulin in the blood, and insulin lowers the blood sugar level. When you have low blood sugar levels, you begin to feel less sure of yourself, and have low energy levels, which can lead to the blues or depression. \n\nLIMIT SUGAR: \n\nSugar might give you an initial rush of energy, but within an hour or so the blood sugar level can become low, and when it's low you may feel low, too. \n\nThe caffeine/sugar cycle. It's easy to get caught in the caffeine and sugar cycle -- having coffee, caffeinated soft drinks, or something with sugar every two hours or so to "stay up." For example, cola contains about 10 teaspoons of sugar plus caffeine equal to about half a cup of coffee. In addition to bringing on the blues, this cycle can result in dependence, poor nutrition. and obesity -- reasons to get down on yourself even more and feel blue. \n\nMAINTAIN FIBER: \n\nFiber helps food go through your digestive system at a proper rate, giving a more constant energy supply. Highly processed foods merely provide a quick surge of energy which can be followed by depression. You can maintain fiber in your diet by eating an orange or grapefruit rather than just drinking the juice. Eat fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, and whole grain breads and cereals. \n\nSTRESS B COMPLEX: \n\nSome persons report receiving help by taking a concentrated vitamin B complex. You'll find these called something like "Stress B" or "B 50." This is controversial. \nSome nutritionists say, "Yes, this really should be consider
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you know, pal, i came through this stage too, and I'm only 13. I may sound dorky but I found a way to stop being depressed. first of all, search your heart and your subconscious mind. is there anything that happened in past that affected you, like your boyfriend dumping you or your parents ignoring you? whatever it is, sort it out, write it down in a piece of paper, then mail it to somebody without your name and return address. or if you're afraid of rejection of the mail, burn the paper. then after that, throw away your ouija board. burn it. the ouija board is a powerful source of emotional distress. then since you drench your pain in your fathers alcohol, STAY AWAY FROM ALCOHOL. Dare yourself not to go anywhere near that alcohol. Have a fear of the alcohol, just as you must have a fear of the ouija board. think of them as awakening pains. then lock yourself in a room, sit in a "yoga position" then peacefully, meditate your problem. if u still have the ashes of the burnt paper, put it in a goblet, hold it while meditating, then if u feel u want the presence of the ouija board or the alcohol, just cry. cry and dont stand up, just cry your tears into the goblet. another, listen to music. not PUNK, ROCK, BLUES or any depressing music. listen to soothing music, music that is really deserving to be called MUSIC. and when the weather is warm, go out, take a little stroll, appreciate the oxygen, the plants and the people around. and remember, count your blessings. you are not among the population of people who cannot even eat or use computers. count your blessing. you have your father. you have your life. you have your house, your room and your account in yahoo. they are all simple, but when you compare them to other people, ponder. do they have a chance to use computers?? more than half of the population of Earth havent even used a computer. pal, you are lucky. just try to have a different view.after you have that different view in life, refresh yourself then read Bible and go to church. if this doesnt work out, relax. its hard at first, but if you listen to God's words, depression will leave you. if this doesnt help, i suggest you contact a psychologist to help you.and dont forget, if u dont have money and u really need a counselor, you can have downpayment. this worked out for me, trust me, and i believe this will work out on you two. if you need further help, just send me an e-mail kiss_carraine14@yahoo.com and remember I can be your friend and I want to be your friend.
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see a doctor or talk bout it with someone u trust don't let things get u down when u r feeling more depressed than usual focus on something u love for me i focus on thunderstorms a natural calming mind clearing focus point
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Depression is a veary normal thing to feal. You wouldn't be human if you didn't feel depressed in any way at one time or another. What helps is to do the basic things that depression stops you from doing. Eat a meal, Go for a walk, Talk to some one, listen to some uplifing music, write, take a bath. And if you have a faith pray.
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Sometimes we are our own worst enemies, we beat ourselves up about the smallest things. Make your mind work for you not against you. Its all in the mind, be positive about things and good things we follow. If you always look at things in a bad light your bound to be depressed. Pick yourself up and start to see the good things in life, even if it is small. If you want things in life you can have them, it just takes determination and will power, because nothing is impossible if you really want it. Believe in yourself and always listen to your truest thoughts. \nThe human mind is the most powerful tool on the planet, control it, don't let it control you.
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I live with long term depression and can not take the anti-depressants doctors prescribe, yes, I have tried the new ones with the same results, they make me more depressed, not less!\n\nOver many years I have developed a lifestyle that alleviates the depression in a natural way. Here is what I do, I hope it is of help to you and others as well.\n\nCounselling: I find having a person I can rely on to talk to is very helpful when the depression is bad, many counsellors now agree that depression in many cases should be treated in a more natural way.\n\nFood: Eat lots of raw fruit and vegetables and if you have to cook them only just cook them! Natural foods are bright in colour and so are pleasing to the eye to eat. Also ensure you eat fish once a week every week.\n\nDrink: Limit coffee, alcohol, soft drinks and tea, instead try lots of water, fruit based cordials, herbal teas and fruit juice\n\nExercise: Walk outdoors in the sunshine and fresh air for 20 minutes a day. During the walk really look at your surroundings and take note of the big strong trees, cool soft grass, blue sky, and if you are lucky enough to live near water notice the water and how it responds to its environment. We tend to breathe more shallowly when we are depressed so some exercise helps us breathe deeper and increases the oxygen intake making us feel better all over. You dont need to run a marathon, just exercise regularly and only do what is possible.\n\nVitamins: Take multi vitamins one day and Multi B the next. You dont need to overload your system with vitamins otherwise you simply end up with expensive urine! If the Multi B and the multivitamin both have Vit C in them then that is even better.\n\nSunshine is the best and easiest way for human beings to absorb Vit D. So being outside in the sunshine is a good thing. Being sunburnt is not, so take care to wear a shirt, hat and sunscreen. And sunshine just makes you feel good! It actually releases some chemical in the human brain that makes you feel good.\n\nIf you eat lots of white flour based foods, fried foods, and processed foods you will find that this tends to make your digestion system sluggish and seems to add to depression so avoid them.\n\nNew Things: Learning a new thing alleviates depression because it gives us a sense of satisfaction and achievement and you cant feel satisfied and depressed at once! Take on new challenges whether it is getting around to learning a musical instrument, painting, riding a bicycle, or learning Tai chi you will find that a sense of accomplishment feels very good.\n\nGrow something: Carig for something else turns your attention to positive things like what you can do right and what is possible. If you think that you are the worlds worst gardener try this: Ask someone for cuttings of geraniums stick the cuttings in some dirt and water daily for a week. Geraniums are the most amazing flowers to grow because they grow from cuttings so there is no cost involved and if you plant half a dozen cuttings you will get two or three plants from that. Their bright colours and often scented leaves are a delight. An old fashioned plant but a cheerful one. Daisies also grow from cuttings and are bright cheerful plants. Both daisies and geraniums grow really well in pots and so do many vegetables! There are lessons we can only learn by osmosis, we have to absorb the lesson and growing something gives us some of those lessons.\n\nGet Involved in Your Community: Join an interest group, a local health centre committee, or a church or other organisation. Being with others with a common goal can be very upliftng. Being with, caring about and learning about other people leaves no room for you to be wound up in your depression.\n\nMusic: Get a good collection of music of all kinds, try some classical, some heavy rock, some lilting little melodies, african drumming music, aboiriginal music, the more variety the better. listen to all kinds of music.\n\nGet a pet: You dont have to buy a d
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exercise is known to greatly decrease the symptoms of depression.  develop a strong network of friends and family that you feel comfortable sharing your feelings with.  find a counselor (therapist) that you like and trust, talk to them, they can help (ask people you know for suggestions of who to go to, if you're comfortable with that).  eat a healthy, well balanced diet (consult a doctor or other nutrition expert if you're not sure what this means for you, or how to improve your diet safely).  check any medicines/supplements for side-effects that may include depression or similar conditions, but consult with your doctor before discontinuing any medications, as this can also cause problems.  some people find that accupuncture or accupressure work well, but this is not for everyone.  the most important thing to do is to talk with your doctor and a therapist, they can help you a great deal.  Remember, talking is natural, and you can tell them if you don't want to take drugs.\n\nFind friends, Exercise, Eat right, Talk with your doctor/therapist, Become active in your community (such as volunteering, chuch)
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Rather than focus on depression, focus on the opposite - JOY! And you have the promise of a "sound mind".  If you can get a hold of a thesaurus, look up the word joy and read the verses you find.  Here are a few to get you started.\n2 Tim 1:7\n7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (KJV)\nPs 16:11\n11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (KJV)\nPs 27:6\n6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD. (KJV)\n\nThe Psalmist David sang praises to the Lord when he was depressed as a sacrifice.  The hardest thing to do when we are down is to praise the Lord, but if you can accomplish this, then you will find that He will lift you up out of it.  Start each day with words of praise.  Tell Him how much you love Him.  Thank Him for the blessings in your life.  If you are too down to think of anything, try to sing a praise song.  \n\nI have suffered with depression for many years and this is the only thing that works for me - PRAISE THE LORD!\nNO DRUGS COULD HELP ME, BUT WORDS OF PRAISE HAVE WORKED WONDERS.  \n\nFather God, I thank you and I praise you for you are a great and mighty God.  You are worthy of praise, honor and glory.  I magnify your name for you are great and greatly to be praised.  I thank you Jesus for dieing for me.  I thank you for loving me.  You are wonderful and I love you!\n\nSomething so simple can do so much.  Try it and let me know how it makes you feel.
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You don't need to wear a mask. Try to be around the people who can accept the fact that you are going through a hard time. There is nothing like having to be an actress on top of feeling really depressed.\nThere are things that can really help with depression other than the pills.\nNutrition can affect your mental well being. Try to eat a balanced healthy diet. No junk food, cut down of sugar... Eat lots of fresh vegetable, grains, beans... Omega fatty acid is amazing for depression, the brain. Add flax seed oil to your diet. one to two tablespoon a day. Vitamin B complex and B 12 are great for depression.\nTry your best to not aggravate your depression by drinking alcohol and smoking.\nExercise is crucial. Try to go for walks in the nature where you can feel at peace, near the water, in the park...\nGive Yoga and meditation a chance. It will do you a world of good. If you can, try to volunteer so that you can get the focus off your depression and do something positive.\nAt night try to take a hot bath, add few drops of lavender essential oil. It is very soothing.\nTry these methods for a month or so and hopefully you'll feel better. \nYou can get well if you have the right attitude and determination.\nGood luck my friend.
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If you are feeling very depressed, it will be hard to concentrate on anything, let alone trying to intensively study!\n\nIf something happened recently to cause you to feel depressed (a loved one died, financial problems, breakup with your mate), then you need to find ways of seeing the good in life again.\n\nIf you started feeling depressed, for no reason you can figure out, you need to see a counselor quickly. \n\nThe counselor can either help you remember what is/was happening and how to get through it, OR can refer you for a psychiatrist. \n\nThere IS a very real, physiological illness caused by neurotransmitter imbalances. It is NOT something that can be thought or reasoned away... it requires medication. If your depression came on for NO APPARENT REASON, or has been with you for more than a year after the event that started it, you may need medication to help restore the balance in your brain.\n\nIf your depression DOES come from something that happened recently to make you feel sad:\n\nMake a list of everything that is going right for you. Every day, look at the list, and either add one more good thing in your life, or pick one item and say out loud "I'm glad _______ is a part of my life."\n\nIf you have a serious and looming future problem that is stressing you out. Write down everything you can about it. Split the list into things you CAN fix, and things you CAN'T. Set the "can't" list aside.\n\nTake your "can fix" list, and number each thing in the order that will work best to help you address the problem (make it less or even, maybe, get rid of it).  Then start work on #1 on the list.\n\nIf you "just can't think" of things to put... ask a friend to sit with you and help you brainstorm, or go to a counselor.
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Depressive disorders make one feel exhausted, worthless, helpless, and hopeless. Such negative thoughts and feelings make some people feel like giving up. It is important to realize that these negative views are part of the depression and typically do not accurately reflect the situation. Negative thinking fades as treatment begins to take effect. In the meantime: \nSet realistic goals and assume a reasonable amount of responsibility. \nBreak large tasks into small ones, set some priorities, and do what you can as you can.\nTry to be with other people and to confide in someone; it is usually better than being alone and secretive.\nParticipate in activities that may make you feel better.\nMild exercise, going to a movie, a ballgame, or participating in religious, social, or other activities may help. \nExpect your mood to improve gradually, not immediately. Feeling better takes time. \nIt is advisable to postpone important decisions until the depression has lifted. Before deciding to make a significant transition--change jobs, get married or divorced--discuss it with others who know you well and have a more objective view of your situation. \nPeople rarely "snap out of" a depression. But they can feel a little better day by day.\nRemember, positive thinking will replace the negative thinking that is part of the depression and will disappear as your depression responds to treatment.\nLet your family and friends help you. \n\nSelf help for depression\n\nEffective therapy needs to incorporate everything that works in lifting depression. You may be able to help yourself effectively, although often it is useful to get the help of a professional.\n\nHere we'll go through what you can do, as well as what you should look for in any therapy you choose to undergo.\nWhat you can do to help yourself\n\n1) Know about your condition - what you know about your depression has been shown to have an effect on well you respond to treatment. Take the Depression Learning Path - it's the best way to start helping yourself.\n\n2) Cut down on rumination. Do whatever you can to decrease the amount of rumination you are doing. (Ruminating is 'chewing over' emotional issues in your mind without coming to any decision to act.)\n\nIf possible, decide to put off difficult decisions for 1 or 2 weeks while you get your energy back.\n\nWays to cut down rumination are to:\n\na) Stop yourself when you spot yourself doing 'all or nothing' thinking. (See thinking styles)\nb) Read novels when you have nothing to do, to occupy your mind. (Make them exciting novels, not romance or self help books!)\nc) Do exercise (see 5)\nd) Work if you can\ne) Keep yourself occupied as much as possible in ways that stop you thinking too much!\n\n3) Find ways to assess and monitor your depressive episodes - The way depression makes us adopt all or nothing thinking is a unique and crucial part of understanding depression. The way depression makes us generate seemingly hopeless outcomes to our situation can make it almost impossible to see a way out of it. \n\nFinding ways to gauge your depression can help to show the shades of gray, that will ultimately defeat the black and white thinking on which depression thrives. This is often done in the form of a diary, where you grade how bad your days have been on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is the worst and 10 is the best. Then, after 2 weeks or so, you can look back and see how things have varied over that time. \n\n4) Lower your emotional arousal levels calming down emotions such as anxiety and anger helps your brain function more subtly and decreases the amount of catastrophising you do. Along with getting proper rest, being able to relax is incredibly important.\n\nRelaxation therapies are effective in overcoming some of the other issues that can co-occur with depression. The effects of panic attacks, anxiety and anger, etc can be lessened and overcome with the ability to relax properly and deeply. Physi
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Exercise is one of the best solutions to depression.  Don't buy a treadmill, go jog outside.  Exercising outdoors is a lot better than indoors.