7 Ways to Beat Depression

Depression is at an all time high in the US. If you’re reading this it’s because you want to fix the problem and you want to do something about it. These practices are my personal favorites, listed here in no particular order. You can do one, two or all of the suggestions on this list.

Try it and see how it works for you. Share it. Let’s make the world a better place.

Stand Up Straight

When we feel depressed, we tend to slouch. Good posture — standing up tall, lifting your chin and rolling your shoulders back — builds confidence. Breathing also becomes easier. Bringing in more oxygen can feel like, well, a breath of fresh air. For more, click here.

Stretch

In his famed book, Light on Yoga, BKS Iyengar notes that staying in uttanasana (standing forward fold) for 5 minutes or more will banish depression. Try separating your feet hips width apart and/or putting something under the crown of your head for support.

Go Outside

Breathing fresh air and getting some sun will often lift our spirits. Leave your phone at home and take a walk. Best if you can get somewhere away from man-made structures, including drama!

Do Something Nice For Someone Else

Helping others always makes us feel better than helping ourselves. Offer a kind word to someone. Buy a coffee for the policeman in line behind you and tell him thanks for keeping us safe. Give another driver the right of way, even when you’re in a hurry. Do it because it is the right thing to do; you’ll feel better about yourself and happier as a result.

Flash a Smile

A happy facial expression creates a happy mood. I realize it can be tough to force yourself to smile when you feel depressed. If that’s the case, try this trick: bite on a pencil for a couple of minutes without letting your lips touch. It forces your mouth into the shape of a smile and begins to alter your feelings. For more, go here.

Eat Healthy

When I feel depressed, ice cream and baked goods are my go to. I’ve had to learn that they actually make me feel worse in the long run and to make smart choice to support myself. Highly processed food and the empty calories that come in a bottle or a .99¢ value meal only soothe temporarily. What we really need when we feel depressed is to be nurtured and nourished. Eat a healthy meal; knowing it’s good for you and that you had the strength to do what you know is best will give you a boost of happiness.

Engage in Positive Self Talk

We all have an inner voice. Often that voice is overly critical and judgmental. What are you whispering to yourself or about others with that voice? If you’re constantly complaining about everyone else, you probably talk that way to yourself, too. When you talk out loud, how do you talk about yourself? Do you make fun of yourself? Belittle your feelings? Say that only bad things will happen to you? Make a new habit to say kind things to yourself and look for the good in others.