How to Avoid Depression

(This was a blog post I wrote a while back but never ended up posting. I never fully finished it, but will post what I have so far for those who might need it. )

As I've been recovering from my own major bout of depression, I have been trying to maintain my freedom from this terrible sickness by doing certain things that will help me to maintain a healthy mind, body, and heart.  I thought that as I progress, it might be nice to share some of the things I've learned with others that may be searching for ways to overcome their own feelings of depression.  Here are some ideas and things that have helped me immensely, and I hope will help you as well.

1- Recognize that you are depressed.  There are many websites that list many of the symptoms of depressed persons.  Some of these include low feelings of self-worth, lack of desire to do the things you used to love, lack of motivation, little faith that your life can improve, etc.

2- Understand the reasons why you may be depressed:  could it be because you feel that all the other girls (guys) are prettier (more handsome) than you? Do you feel unworthy perhaps because of a past sin or because you are not living your life in accordance with what you know to be true? Do you compare yourself to others? Are you overwhelmed? Stressed?  Do you feel that you are never able to keep up with the work you have to do? Do you wonder why other people seem so happy? These are just a few of the things that went through my mind as I faced depression.

3- Cease those behaviors which only contribute to the depression, for example, self-depreciating thoughts or words.  Also, choose to desist those which you know are wrong, and begin to replace them with what you know is right.  Often times, feelings of depression can stem from feeling like we really just never
You may have to replace those behaviors with their positive counterparts in order to change them fully. 

4- Begin to replace those behaviors with their positive counterparts. 


Ways to maintain freedom from depression:
1- Take care of yourself physically: a healthy body is also a healthy mind.  Start eating correctly.  Take care of your appearance.  Don't do it for anyone else, but just do it for you.  You'll like yourself more if you feel good on the outside.  Start exercising a little every day.  It doesn't have to be much, but as you make those efforts, you will begin to feel in control of your life again.  As you develop those feelings of being in control, it is amazing what faith you build to begin to accomplish even more tasks.  The power of hard work is one of the many ways depression can be healed and maintained.

2-  Take care of yourself spiritually:  if you are a God fearing person, start aligning your life with his will. If He wants you to study your scriptures and pray to him daily, then do it.  Don't wait or hesitate.  We are commanded pray daily, hourly, always, so do so.  Seek his help through prayer to overcome your weaknesses and difficulties.  Maintain a consistent study habit to read and pray and attend church and otherwise seek Him and is strength in his life.

3-Take care of your self emotionally.  This means clearing the messy corners of your mind from all the negative thoughts you have about yourself- all the lies you say to keep yourself down.  Remember, thinking too much about oneself, even when negatively, is still thinking selfishly, is it not?

4- Give back.  Seek outside yourself.  Reach out to those who seem to need a friend, support, someone to talk to, etc.