Depression

Do's and Dont's around Depression

Do's

• Notice aspects of yourself worth honoring and celebrating.

• Remember -- not all of who you are as a person is depressed.

• Recognize the internal negative voice of depression and name it as "depression".

• Stay socially connected in some way to other people. Talk with others about the depression, in moderation.

• Get yourself out of the house for at least one hour every day.

• Exercise, eat well, and develop a regular sleep schedule.

• Limit yourself from telling a negative story to three times a day.

• Read -- preferably novels of triumph, good fortune, and positive outcomes.

• Do something interesting to keep your mind focused on the task at hand.

• Meditate to quiet your mind and relax your body.

• Get a massage -- treat yourself to one or ask a friend to give you one.

• Stay creative -- take a night school course, paint, garden, visit a museum.

• Keep your living quarters clean.

• Seek out counseling with a therapist who is committed to moving you forward as quickly as possible.

Don'ts

• Don't become immobilized by this experience -- get active in some way.

• Don't let depression keep you silenced.

• Don't let the depression isolate you.

• Don't incessantly talk to yourself and others about the depression.

• Don't overindulge in anything.

• Don't take other people's medication.

• Don't let "worst-case scenario" thinking take over.

• Don't believe that you know what others are thinking about you; you are not a mind-reader.