Six Ways to Combat Depression

Written by Lovelyn on October 3, 2008 – 1:09 pm -

Twice in my life, I suffered from long bouts of depression. Each time, I saw no end in sight. Everyday I woke up feeling terrible. It was a struggle to get out of bed in the morning. Each time, I thought my life would always be that way.

As I write this, I feel like it sounds too cliché. Everything you read about depression starts like that, but it’s true. That’s the way it feels.

I’m writing this post, because today is a lovely fall day and I walked to the bank and the library. The sky was clear and the air was crisp. I found myself thinking, “This is great. This is a perfect day.” Looking back on my life now it’s so hard for me to believe that I was ever depressed.

My depression started when I was 16. It wasn’t constant then, but at the time, I was sad more often than I was happy. When I was 19, I became deeply depressed and remained depressed for almost a year. When I was 22, after a few years being depression free, depression crept back into my life for a little less than a year. I’ve been free from depression since that time. I’m sad sometimes, everyone is, but it’s not the crippling sadness that I felt before.

Depression falls into a variety of categories. You can read about them here.

There is Hope

Many people suffer from depression. Many take their lives because of it. This suffering and lose of life is unnecessary, because no matter how hopeless it may seem and no matter how dark life may be, there is hope. Depression isn’t a permanent state. You may not see an end to it now, but you’ll make it out the other side. Here are some things that you can do to combat your depression.

Massage–You could’ve guessed that. Depression has physical symptoms. You can feel achy, almost flu-like. Massage eases general achiness. It also causes the body to release endorphins which are happy hormones. It can help by making you feel pampered and cared for. Self-massage also helps. Try massaging yourself every morning. Sign up for my health newsletter here and get a free guide about various forms of self-massage.

Exercise–It may be hard to get out and do, but exercise does a lot to cure depression. Getting aerobic exercise for at least 30 minutes three times a week will really help. If you need motivation hire a personal trainer or exercise with a friend.

Eat Right–You already know what I’m going to write, but I’ll right it again just in case. Eating whole unprocessed foods really effects your mood. Also take a good multivitamin and make sure you’re getting enough omega-3 fats.

Get Out–I know winter is steadily approaching, but getting out in the sun is another great mood booster. Nothing beats physical exercise outside on a beautiful day.

Service–Do something nice for someone else. You can start small and work your way up. Offering help to others can help you recognize that you have something valuable to contribute in this world. Here’s a post I wrote about the joy you can feel by serving others.

Get Spiritually Connected–I’m a Mormon and was raised my whole life with the idea that I’m a daughter of God and He loves me. That was an abstract thing that I didn’t take very seriously until I was in my late twenties. Then suddenly one day it really took hold, and I realized that it was true. No one here on this Earth is worth more than anyone else. You are important and loved. Take time to figure out what spirituality means to you. As you do you’ll have a deeper appreciation for yourself and others.

These are just some things that can help with depression. I’m not a doctor, so if you feel suicidal get help. Here is a really good website I found about depression.

Photo by Steve Fernandez.

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15 Comments to “Six Ways to Combat Depression”

Erika Satie Says:
October 5th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Thank you so much for your advice on depression- even though I knew a lot of these solutions already, it’s good to be reminded. When you are in the depression, it is easy to stay in the funk and forget that there are things that can be done to improve how you feel.
Lovelyn Says:
October 5th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
You’re right about that. I know when I was struggling with depression, it was so hard for me to even think straight, yet alone figure out what I could do to help myself.
Ann Says:
October 21st, 2008 at 5:05 am
What an interesting blog. I think it is difficult for someone who has not suffered from serious deep depression to understand. There are moments when you feel you can only talk about it with someone who can truly relate. There are those who commonly express, “I know how you feel”, but little do they know they it’s far worse than they think.

Thanks for the advice on seeking help with getting meds on AOL.

Abell934
Lovelyn Says:
October 21st, 2008 at 3:37 pm
When I was depressed I often felt that people didn’t really understand how difficult it was. Talking to someone who has experienced it does make things a lot easier.
Carnival of Postive Thinking Says:
November 2nd, 2008 at 6:41 pm
[...] presents Six Ways to Combat Depression posted at The Art of Balanced [...]
The Power of Thought | The Art of Balanced Living Says:
November 10th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
[...] for in my youth. (Isn’t funny how “I said in my youth?”) Even after overcoming my depression, I still had more than my fair share of negative thoughts. Negative thinking is a hard habit to [...]
Happiness is a Choice | The Art of Balanced Living Says:
February 9th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
[...] that I’m pass my young and hostile stage, I think he was right. I know that when depression grips you it’s hard to break out of and some depression is the result of chemical imbalances, but I [...]
Patrick Says:
May 22nd, 2009 at 6:06 pm
Thank you for your guide i am currently a teenager and combating a form of depression caused by overthinking. I tend to mend and manipulate thoughts in my mind until i can find a negative end to them. I hope that this guide will assist me and once again thank you very much
Choose Happiness -- Having Faith in Life | The Art of Balanced Living Says:
June 16th, 2009 at 10:31 am
[...] have a problem with depression probably disagree or at least don’t appreciate that sentence. I’ve written about depression, and I think there are times when it gets beyond anything you can control on your [...]
Lovelyn Says:
July 4th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Your welcome. I hope this helps you too. Depression is a problem many teenagers struggle with. It’s a difficulty time in life. If you feel like your depression is getting quite bad, please talk to someone about it.
Exercise Tips — How to Start an Exercise Routine | The Art of Balanced Living Says:
July 21st, 2009 at 12:50 pm
[...] fat and is great for our hearts. Besides these obvious benefits, exercise can make you help you beat depression and is great for your brain. Despite knowing all these things, many of us still struggle to make [...]
depressed Says:
October 24th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
am glad that you are cured from your depression. for me i feel like it’s really hard to be happy ispent 7 years suffering from sever obsessive compulsive disorder and now am cured from O.C.D but have severe depression ifeel like my life is a chain of misery. am trying 2 be close 2 god but ifeel icant do anything not that i cant but idont have the energy to do anything and the thing that’s putting me into depression is that am suffering from social anxiety now while i was really sociable my whole life. sometimes i wish i could be happy for a day
sankoi Says:
March 20th, 2010 at 10:57 am
Depression…it’s the worst feeling ever. It’s like a dead end where you’d think of nothing else but ending your life. My depression is kind of fluctuating. It comes and it goes then suddenly it goes back again. After reading this, I feel like I’m not alone after all. I try my best to feel better and getting sun really helped. (Ya know, sitting on the roof at night…it really was miraculous) I thought I’d just think of negative stuff on the roof but I was wrong! hahaha…We can combat depression, definitely.
valesco Says:
May 30th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
Thanks, I’m happy to know that I’m not alone. have been planing on the easiest ways to Die. But i did not find one. I have a daughter and each time i look at her face. I can’t do. She going to suffer worse than i did. I find strength in her and i don’t want her to go through what i went through. So her present still keeps me alive. I will try your tips and hope it feels better.
Tia Gray Says:
July 10th, 2010 at 12:07 pm
anxiety and depression are hard to treat if the patient has not been checked for years.:”*