2 effective ways to combat depression

When you feel depressed, it can seem like the world is crashing down on you.

You're listless, apathetic, disengaged. You don't sleep or eat like you should. You lose interest in hobbies and activities that normally put you in a good mood. You avoid others' company. All you want to do is cry, stare at the wall, and be alone.

Whether you're melancholy following a layoff or breakup, there are two things you can do to help combat the debilitating feelings brought on by depression.

Mind you, these strategies alone won't do away with such symptoms, but at the very least, they'll help take your mind off whatever is troubling you temporarily.

I realize people who have been medically diagnosed with depression may find these to be of little use, but they may come in handy for those with only occasional bouts.

1. Staying busy - By keeping busy with other things -- say, doing chores around the house, writing a novel, fixing your car -- you direct your thoughts away from the source of your unhappiness.

For example, a few weeks ago, I fell into something of a rut. I couldn't find pleasure in almost anything I did. I began to reminisce about "the good old days," which is usually a tell-tale sign that the present has me feeling down, so I'm subconsciously attempting to escape it in my mind.

Luckily, music has the power to put me in a better mood, but once I turn my iPod off, it's very easy for the negative thoughts to creep up on me again.

After attending a concert at which I marveled at the fact that so many people in the crowd knew the words to the songs by heart, I realized how much more fun it would be to know them myself while listening to the songs in the car, at the gym, or at home.

So, for the first time in my life, I resolved to memorize the lyrics to my favorite songs. Such an exercise can be mentally rigorous to say the least, and as I went line by line to commit the lyrics to memory, I completely forgot that I was sad at all.

I strongly suggest that you try mentally engrossing tasks like these when you're feeling blue. It's as if they sap your mental energies, taking those negative feelings with them.

2. Exercising - And when it comes to the best ways to stay busy, exercising should figure prominently in the conversation.

Exercise offers us myriad physical benefits, like helping us lose weight and look younger.

But it is also extremely beneficial to our mental well-being.

In fact, those who exercise report feeling more energetic throughout the day, sleeping better at night, having sharper memories, and feeling happier with themselves and their lives in general.

Exercise promotes positive changes in the brain, like reduced inflammation and neural growth. On top of that, it reduces endorphins, powerful chemicals that make you feel feel good and help you cope with pain and sadness.

In sum, keeping yourself occupied can help you break out of the cycle of negative thoughts that feed depression. At the same time, exercise can be very beneficial to your mental health. The key is to prevent those negative thoughts from taking a hold of your mind.

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