Overcoming Depression

Some days we just wake up in a dark, bleak mood. All of us get the blues. If yours last
more than two weeks, get a medical examination. Often there is a medical cause
for the depression. If you have chronic depression, get a medication evaluation
from a knowledgeable physician. If you are just one of those people who has
tendencies toward depression, you can do one of two things: Sing the blues OR
shift your attitude.

How to sing the
blues:

• Get
  out the tissues and have a good cry.
• Whine,
  moan, and groan to a chose friend.
• If you
  have no friends, whine, moan, and groan to your dog or cat.
• If you
  have no dog or cat, volunteer at your local Humane Society. Those pets
  need your love as much as you need theirs.
• Pull
  the covers over your head and sleep it off for a few hours, not days.

How to shift your
attitude:

• Take a
  walk and imagine the blues draining out your body and into the earth.
• Take a
  warm bath and include a soothing scent in the form of bubble bath or
  candles. Send your troubles down the drain.
• Read
  more articles to inspire you from Diva Toolbox.
• Put on
  clothes that you truly love, ones that bring forth your best features.
• Distract
  yourself with hobbies, talking to a friend in need, or doing volunteer
  work. Feeling needed is very helpful in shifting your attitude.
• Write,
  write, write! Imagine releasing the dark mood through the ink flowing on
  to the paper, draining the depression out of your body and mind. Recycle
  paper by writing on the backs of used sheets and then tear the writing
  into tiny pieces. It’s a great cathartic release to write about all your
  negative thoughts and then rip up the words.
• Make a
  gratitude list. Write for at least ten minutes all the things you are
  grateful for. Start small and expand.
• Force
  yourself to exercise for at least twenty minutes (walk, ski, skate, run,
  or dance). If you are physically restricted, do what you can and imagine
  moving with ease and grace.
• Play!
  Do something for fun that you absolutely treasure doing. If you can’t
  figure out something, borrow a child to play with you. They are wonderful
  distractions and very capable of making you stay in the moment.
• SMILE! Remember it takes energy to
  hang your head, frown, and look depressed! You will be surprised at how
  you can fool your mind if your body begins to act as if you are in a good
  mood. Stand up tall and carry yourself as if you are pleased to be alive
  and feeling happy.

Barbara Kramen-Kahn, Ph.D can be reached at barbara@truckeehealthychocolate.com