Depression

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DEPRESSION

If you're depressed to the point that, you can't sleep, can't concentrate and don't want to get out of bed, your not alone. More than twice as many women as men have severe depression that can linger for several months, even years, if not treated. Sometimes depression can lift only for symptoms to recur.

What you can do for mild depression

Get some exercise

Studies show that exercise alleviates depression by reducing stress and raising levels of feel good substances in the brain. So get up and walk, even if it's the last thing that you feel like doing. Remind yourself, I can do this. It'll be worth it. Set a goal of exercising 20 minutes a day, three times a week.

Explore your feelings on paper

If you don't feel like yourself, it may not be enough to sit down and ask yourself,'Why am I feeling different? Am I depressed?'

Confide in friends

When you're depressed, bed may seem the safest place. It isn't. Social isolation contributesto depression. If you're down, make a particular point of seeking out and confiding in supportive friends, even if only by phone.

Street clear of whiners and complainers

Try to avoid relationships that are all work and no gain. By all means, don't let guilt or a sense of obligation keep you in a relationship that you don't enjoy