Fighting Depression - Love Yourself, Love Life

To really be happy and have a love for life, you need to satisfy your own needs and love yourself. Refill your emotional tank often.

Physically, you can stretch and take deep breaths while sitting and relaxing quietly for 15-20 minutes. Focus on the breaths you take. Be empty of your troubles. Be full of peace. Doing regular relaxation techniques helps relieve depression symptoms and will boost your mood.

Soak up some sunshine! 15-30 minutes a day will be beneficial to both your emotional and physical health. Sit in the park and just watch people go by. Listen to the sounds of the outdoors. Take Fido to the doggie park, visit an outside cafe and have some tea, take a walk-just get some sunshine.

Take up a hobby. If you have one that makes you feel good, do it more often. Go bird-watching. Walk a nature trail. It is very relaxing and soothingly refreshing. Put photos in an album or scrapbook or on your digital frame. Looking at your photos lets you focus on wonderful memories. Do woodworking projects that take concentration. You will focus on the project and not your problems. Stay in tune with the fun ME time you need.

Read motivational quips, quotes, and books. They are easy to find both online and in book stores. Find a few favorite quotes that stand out. Put those quotes in a prominent place, such as on your refrigerator. Recite them often. They WILL motivate you. They will help you to feel good and powerful. You are in control of your life.

Don't wonder why your life is so wrong. Think about what is so right. Love yourself, no one is perfect. Don't think you're a failure. Focus on the things you have and appreciate. Make a list of things you are grateful for. Things that you are thankful to have in your life. Make another list of the things you like about yourself. Be kind to yourself.

Don't dwell on your problems. Check out the choices and options there are to get past those areas of discontent. Rise above the conflicts in your life. Whether within yourself or out in the world. Be strong. Do your best, but still be you. The happy you-the one that focuses on loving yourself and loving life.

Get enough sleep. Not too much, that's not good either. That will just make you sluggish throughout the day. 7-8 hours a night is best. Rise and shine the same time every day. Go to bed the same time every night. Your body will function better on a set schedule.

Eat well. Drink lots of water. Start the day with 16 oz. It will give your body the boost it needs to start the day. Drink 7-10 glasses throughout the day. Eat the right foods every 3-4 hours. Don't let yourself get hungry and irritable. Eating smaller amounts more often helps your body and mind function better. Avoid sugary snacks, alcohol, and pasta. The good foods to eat consist of oatmeal, whole wheat products, fruits and veggies and a good old home-cooked meal of baked potatoes and chicken. These good foods will actually make you feel better.

Overcome the stress/stessors quickly. Don't hold on to things that bring you down. Whether you need to call a happy friend or a counselor, just do it. Have a support system in place. Deal with the issue. Get it over with and let go of it. Petting your furry friend can help also. They are good listeners and they will certainly help you get over the slump you are in.

Fill your day with things that make you feel good. Hang out with people who make you happy and laugh. People who will listen to you. Depression can pull you down enough that you don't want to be social and around people. FIGHT IT. Maintain positive social activities. Do something for someone else. It will make you feel good.

Last thing at night, express gratitude for the positive things in your life. Remind yourself of the things that made you feel good. Pat yourself on the back for the things you accomplished today. Plan for an enjoyable day tomorrow.

Depression can suck the life right out of you. You can easily lose the hopes and dreams of tomorrow. You lose energy to exist productively and happy. Fighting it and overcoming it is not easy and it won't happen overnight. Keep at it just one step at a time. You ARE important-to yourself, your family, and your friends. You can learn to love yourself and love life again.

Diane Gove is committed to helping people find a more positive and happy lifestyle. Her website, http://www.thehappyaverage.com offers simple tips and suggestions for getting beyond the obstacles that life throws at you. Come visit us to get refreshed. Your happy spot awaits you.

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