It's not all sunshine and roses...

I struggle with depression. There. I said it. It always seemed so crazy to me that a happy person could be depressed. I didn't recognize it as depression for a long time but now that I do, I do everything in my power to repress it through my own means. It finally made sense to me when someone described depression as no longer finding joy in the things you used to love to the point of giving some/all of them up.

Wow. I had done that. And was feeling that.

Here are a few tips that I regularly use to combat the signs of depression when they creep in and try to steal my satisfaction, happiness, hope, and productivity.

1. I've given the love of my life permission to tell me if he recognizes it in me before I do.

2. I workout! Post-workout endorphins lift me up.

3. I eat clean. The medicinal powers of nutrients and vitamins are proven to keep mild depression at bay but help all severity ratings naturally. Processed food is full of artificial ingredients, sugars, and chemicals that our bodies don't know how to deal with and our bodies do not react well.

4. I turn music UP (and sometimes I dance)! It feels good. Even sad songs help pull emotion out.

5. Fresh flowers bring me happiness! They are beautiful and just put a smile on my face.

6. I open the blinds and let the light in! Light is a natural form of anti-depressant.

7. I open the windows (when I can) to let fresh air IN! The sound of chirping birds, the smells of fresh-cut grass, the natural sunlight... Ah!

8. I journal with a pen and paper. No computer journaling for me! I prefer to put the pen to the paper and enjoy the act of actually hand-writing my way through it.

9. I organize. Something feels good about things having their own place in my home or office. I'm also much more productive!

10. If I've tried all of this and I'm not feeling the weight lifted off of me, I talk to my doctor. There's no shame in it.

If you had diabetes, would you take medication for it? Depression is not in your head. It's a mental illness and if you have it and need medication, don't be too proud to take it.

I am not a doctor and am only giving personal advice from personal experience. I am NOT giving medical advice. This is what has worked for me and I share it with you in an effort to help others like me.

Do you have tips that could help someone?