If you are suffering from depression, then it does not mean that you are weak or lazy. In fact, depression can be understood as a sort of illness which includes symptoms such as fatigue, difficulty in concentrating and lack of motivation. It may happen that you cannot do all the things that you used to do, but this is certainly not a reason to beat up yourself. Understand the fact that whatever you are going through is not an indicator of who you are as a person, in fact, what you are feeling are just the symptoms of an illness. So, it is very necessary that you treat yourself with respect and gentleness.

All those things that help you in soothing yourself whenever you are feeling down can be included in your wellness toolbox. It is not necessary that the set of tools in your toolbox may be exactly the same as that of some other person, for instance, they may include such things as taking a warm bath, cuddling with a beloved pet or listening to music. Think about all the activities that make you feel comfortable and safe. Return to these activities whenever you are feeling depressed and low.

Depression can be triggered in several ways and a poor diet is certainly one of them. Depression symptoms may be created by the deficiency of several minerals and vitamins. Depression is also associated with dietary imbalances in omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acid ratios. Food products which are high in sugar and caffeine also contribute toward depression. A healthy diet not only makes you feel better physically, but also emotionally.

One other factor which is largely responsible in determining how you feel is the exposure to sunlight, especially during darker winter months. The brain sets your body’s internal clock with the help of the sunlight that enters your eyes. You may suffer from a type of depression called seasonal affective disorder (SAD) if you are not getting enough sunlight at the right time of the day. You can certainly feel better if you make sure that you are getting some time in the sun each day.

Negative thinking is one of the primary causes of depression. However, you can certainly make yourself feel better if you learn to transform your negative thought patterns into positive ones. A type of therapy called cognitive therapy is very effective, and its regular practice can make you learn turning your negative thoughts into positive ones, thus preventing a depression attack.

One of the most effective measures that may help you out in preventing depression is a support network. You will certainly want to isolate yourself from the rest of the world when you are depressed; however, this is not going to help you out. In such times, having a network of family and friends on whom you can rely for love and support is of great aid. If you don’t have such friends, then probably it is the time for you to expand your horizon, otherwise you’ll finally end up feeling lonely and depressed. You can even consider joining a class, club or church group.

It is a well known fact that sleep and mood are very closely related. Besides being a symptom of depression, poor sleep can also contribute to it. So, if you want to stay away from depression, then it is very important that you maintain a healthy sleep routine. By healthy sleep routine, we mean that besides getting sufficient time for sleeping, you also sleep and wake up nearly at the same time every day.

Several studies have shown that there is a strong correlation between lack of exercise and depression. Some of the studies have even shown that exercise is almost as effective as an antidepressant in some circumstances. Also, you don’t have to get involved in any sort of intense exercise program. You can start with some basic steps, such as a 20 minutes walk, and you will certainly feel better.

Stress is one other important trigger for depression, especially in situations where the stress level is more than what you can cope with. So, if you want to prevent depression, then anything that can manage or reduce your stress levels will be of great aid. There are several stress management techniques from where you can start. Meditation and yoga are very effective in reducing stress levels.