5 Ways to Fight Depression

Staying positive and fighting depression.

I know that I frequently blog about depression. With the high number of people who are looking for new jobs, who have been out of work for some time or who are just overworked and underpaid, it seems particularly relevant. Especially for people who, like me, have struggled with this disease most of their lives.

Even with proper medical treatment, depression isn't something that just completely goes away. When people are going through tough times, it's easy for it to flare-up, even with medication. The trouble is that depression is sneaky, and you might not even notice it creeping on. In these tough times, when we are all forced to be strong, make tough choices and struggle to get by, we can't afford to have our efforts sabotaged by this disease.

It's important to know the warning signs of a depressive episode so that you can get help as soon as possible. Still, there are several things you can do to stay healthy and help keep depression at bay. Here are 5 habits that can really help:


Stay away from alcohol - When you are trying to manage depression, it's tempting to self-medicate with alcohol. While having a few drinks can make you feel better in the short term, over the long term it makes matters worse. Also, it can interact with most anti-depressants causing intensified side effects, blood pressure spikes and can make you more intoxicated than typical.

Exercise regularly - Getting outside and working up a sweat causes your body to be healthier and is great for circulation and increases your energy levels. Also, exercise releases endorphins, a natural anti-depressant, giving you a mood boost that can last all day. Studies have shown that 20 minutes of exercise every day can help you keep you feeling positive all day.

Get some rest - Getting a good night's sleep and sticking to a regular sleep schedule can really help keep your body and your mood on an even keel. Studies have shown that people with insomnia are 10 times more likely to have serious bouts with depression and 17 times more likely to have problems with anxiety.

Increase your Vitamin D - Many studies have linked low levels of vitamin D to depression. Especially as the summer ends, it's important to make sure that you are getting enough of this vitamin. Our bodies typically get it from the sun, but you can also get it from fish and D-fortified milk. It's a good idea to take a vitamin D supplement to ensure that you are getting enough.

Stop smoking - Believe it or not, women who smoke have a greater chance of developing depression. If you smoke, watch out, because increased smoking can be an early warning sign of a depressive episode. Quitting cold turkey will shock your system and might cause a relapse. If you want to quit, talk to your doctor to find the right way for you.

Managing depression is so very important. Financial stress coupled with feelings of failure and inadequacy can cause even the strongest of us to go into a tailspin. If you are being treated for depression, no matter what you do, don't stop taking your medication. Stopping it suddenly can cause all sorts of problems. If you can no longer afford your medication, especially due to having lost your health insurance when you lost your job, talk to your physician, the drug manufacturer and your pharmacist. Many companies have programs that can help and your doctor might be able to change your prescription to a similar medication that is more affordable.

Have you dealt with depression in the past? What other things do you think are helpful? Please let me know in the comments.