Are you working on overcoming depression? Here are 33.5 easy and effective solutions to change your life and finally end your depression.

1. Understand there are good and bad days

Some days you feel like nothing can stop you. Other days you feel utterly hopeless. Most of the time you’re somewhere in between. Understanding the pattern of positive and negative emotions will help you put your feelings in perspective. Next time you feel down, remember it will go away. It is not permanent.

2. Look at the Big Picture

Look right now for an image of the Earth. Look how big and magnificent it is. Now think about you. Do you think you are important in this world? Not really. Then, why are you so depressed?! Think of it as a freedom contract. If you are not a big deal, then why take things so seriously? As a world, we look smaller against the galaxy, and even smaller against the universe. So, find happiness in what you are, find problems as insignificant, and forget about depression.

3. Look back to your triumphs

Think about what you have done in your life. Even when you will tend to go back and look at it, as a failure, take a few minutes to remember your past accomplishments and build yourself up. What have you learn in your experience? Use it now, know you can succeed again overcoming depression.

4. Appreciate yourself.

Stop comparing yourself with other people who are far better-off than you. Instead compare yourself to the less fortunate. Before you complain about the food you eat, think of someone who has nothing to eat. Before you complain about your job, think of the unemployed and those who wish they had your job.

5. You are not a failure

You are not perfect. You are not all-powerful. Self-change is hard, so it’s not terribly surprising that you didn’t get it right the first try. So, stop feeling so bad. You are not a failure, life is hard, so accept it, and keep going!

6. Don’t drink

Maybe this is very obvious, but when you are depressed, you think alcohol or drugs can cheer you up. They don’t. I had a problem with alcohol a long time ago, because I thought it could help me get relaxed from my problems. It was a big mistake, so now; I want to share this to everybody: stay away from alcohol, if you are overcoming depression. Period.

7. Escape from your mind

If you find yourself continuously thinking negatively, read a book or go to a movie. Escape your world for a while, it will take your mind off of your depression. The more you think positively the faster your depression will go away!

8. Exercise

Lift your mood with some aerobic exercise or weight lifting or some other physical activity since doing so boosts your body’s natural mood regulating chemicals. You’ll produce more endorphins and raise your levels of your brain’s natural antidepressants: norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine.

9. Get some light

If you are affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D. refers to having the symptoms of depression tied to the seasons), step into natural sunlight as much as you can. When feeling depressed, we tend to create a dark environment to reflect our feelings. The curtain is down, the house is unclean. Go out, where you can get some sun.

10. Change Your Language

The language we use expresses how we understand ourselves and our world. Too much language around depression is the language of the victim or is the language of a war. Indeed, put them both together and you can be a depression war victim. Stop saying things like, “I am depressed”, or “I am going to beat this damn illness”. Change you language to one of experience, if you have to use language at all. If you stop telling yourself you are a suffering victim in a battle, you will be overcoming depression.

11. Start changing your habits

In the article “natural remedies for depression“, you will find more information what you can eat and take to reduce depression. The most important habits you need to change when feeling depressed is to get plenty of exercise and stop smoking.

12. Change the food you eat

Find more info on specific food you can eat on “natural cures for depression“. Make sure you’re eating a good clean diet with lots of vegetables and protein. A lot of people, especially those over 50, don’t get enough protein (which can lead to sluggishness). And stop eating sugar. Some people say it doesn’t have any effect on your body, but I notice a big difference in how I feel when I eat too much sugar.

13. Don’t listen to what people say

As human beings, we have a selfish nature. So we are always thinking about us, even when we give advice. So if someone tells you something that hurt you, because they think you are wrong, don’t listen to what they say! They say it because they need to feel better about themselves, not because they will actually help you. Say thank you, and go away.

14. If you listen, get it out of you

If you do listen to what people say, and it is getting to you, then you need to get it out. This is what you need to do: first, get a pillow and scream to it. Psychologists affirm this is a great way to take out the aggressiveness or anger inside you. Second, forget it. You simply need to ignore your thoughts and forget about what people told you.

15. Practice deep breathing to reduce your tension and stress levels.

This is basically to do meditation. This will release more oxygen into your system along with those endorphins and help you relax. To learn how to do it correctly, read this article on overcoming depression.

16. Forgive yourself

Most people with depression go through the blame thing. You will start to blame yourself for being weak, not being able to cope, letting friends and family down and that sort of thing. Apart from the fact that it is wrong, blaming yourself for your depression is about as useful as blaming yourself for the weather – and I’m sure the really depressed among you might have even done that! But seriously, there is nothing to blame yourself for; your only job is overcoming depression and get your life back on track.

17. Being thankful

When was the last time you thought about all the things you have? It is more probable you keep thinking of what you don’t have, or what you lost. This type of thinking only attracts more of it. Depression attracts depression. So, to stop this vicious cycle, you need to bring something positive. And right now, there are good things in your life. For example, if you are out of work, then you have time to try new things. If you are single, then you are lucky you don’t have to support a family. If you really look, you will find a spark of goodness in the darkness.

18. Socialize with positive people

Thoughts (both positive and negative) are contagious. If you keep socializing with negative people, you will never stop feeling depressed. You need to spend time with positive people. Even if you only have one positive thinking friend, be with him. It will help you overcoming depression.

19. Change your thoughts

Our feelings follow our thoughts. Listen to what you’re saying in your head. If you can change your thoughts to be more positive, your mood will lift, too. Read more about how to change your thoughts in the article change your thoughts, change your life.

20. Change your environment

During depression, you start to associate your problems with everything around you. You start to hate your room, your car, your house. A great solution to change is to change the furniture, decoration and light. This will help you change your mood. You can also try Feng Shui, if you think you are having bad luck. Feng Shui is a way to bringing energy to your environment, by rearranging the place according to chinese guidelines.

21. Create a peace moment during the day

It is necessary to bring peace for overcoming depression. Peace doesn’t have to come as a surprise, but you can create a moment of it. Establish a time on the day when you are going to relax, and think of nothing else. You can watch a TV series, meditate, sit and watch your yard; there are tons of activities you can do to bring peace to you.

22. Create a fun moment during the day

This means getting you to smile, even in the worst moment. One of the ways I try to bring me up is by looking for some funny videos on YouTube, like babies, pets, people doing funny things. Take a moment of your day just to laugh a little, to cheer you up.

23. Keep your expectations low

Do not keep too many goals and expectations that will depress you further. Always keep aside one important goal that you think is necessary to achieve. When you try for many things at one go, you only aggravate the problem of depression. Look at Denmark, the happiest country in the world. The reason why they are so happy is because they have low expectations.

24. Do something completely new

Break your routine, this will be a great help for depression. You don’t need to change your routine 360 degrees. You simple need to do something new, especially if you have wanted for a long time to do it. You can just start exercising, take a walk or go running to your nearest park. It will be refreshing. Or you can take a class, maybe dancing or painting.

25. Don’t overspend

Another way people tend overcoming depression, is to go to the mall and start buying. Yes, you will more relax, but you are adding more problems, if you overspend or waste money on things you don’t need. There is no happiness on material ownership! Happiness is inside you right now, and buying won’t solve anything.

26. Get enough sleep

This totally works for me. I found that once I’ve caught up with my sleep, I feel tremendously better. We all function better, think clearer, feel more refreshed and less stressed once we get into the habit of getting enough sleep. You need to sleep at least 8 hours. Less or more can get you sleepier or lazier.

27. Move your body

According to studies, you can get happier if you just dance. Moving to a beat makes everyone feel better. The same is true for movement in general. Hitting the gym or going for a walk will help you shed the lethargy that comes with feeling depressed. The more enthusiastic your moments, the better you will start to feel.

28. Find a serene place where you can think and assess yourself

Go to a quiet beach or somewhere close to nature. You can also try looking for a comfortable spot in your house where it is peaceful enough for you to relax and think.

29. Go nature

It is refreshing to breathe fresh air, to see nature at its raw state. Once, when I needed help for depression, I decided to talk a day in the beach. I found the loneliest beach, and felt in contact with nature at its purest. I needed that. I don’t know why we have forgotten our relationship with the earth, but if you are overcoming depression, go to Mother Earth, and let her heal you.

30. Get a pet

Animals live in the present moment and they show love unconditionally. Observing and interacting with them will help you get over your problems. Get a dog or cat, take care of them, and they will return the favor.

31. Read a Motivational Book

There are great books to motivate you. Wayne Dwyer, Jack Canfield, Anthony Robbins, you pick them. Instead of feeling pity, change your life, start by reading some of what this people can share with you and teach you to be happier. Here is an article on how to pick up a good motivational book.

32. Think about what really matters

Money and things will go away. They come and go. But family, friends and your inner self are the most important things in life. You may feel depressed for lack of money, love, health, etc., but remember, life is too short to be stuck in this, keep moving, live your life and love your life.

33. Turn off things in your life

The best way to overcome depression that come along with bad times  is to stop watching the news and reading newspapers. Make sure that you’ve taken care of your personal and business finances to the best of your ability and then, for the time being, forget about it. There are some things one can control–for example how much time one spends on new business development–and things one cannot control–like the economy. Spend time focusing on areas where you can make an impact. Let go of the rest.

33.5. Turn on things in your life

Live your life to its maximum potential. It is so short, so insignificant in the universe, but so precious, you have to grasp it in your hands, and make it your own. Be responsible of your life, it you want to change your life, then change. And start today.

image credit: h.koppdelaney

About the Author

Anton Cela is a self development author and consultant. Phillip Cela is a recognized university teacher and speaker on motivation, leadership and self help. Find more about their work on “The Change Your Life Phenomenon”, a world-wide-movement to help people change their lifes at Change Your Life Phenomenon.com You can send us an email or follow “The CHYL Phenomenon” on Twitter.