How to Overcome Depression & Low Mood

Symptoms of depression are often linked with feelings of sadness and boredom, constant fatigue, disturbed sleep patterns and anxiety. The causes of depression are different for every person, with age, genetics and life experience all playing a potential role. You can take a few simple steps to improve your mood and keep the symptoms of depression at bay.

Instructions

• 1

  Be physically active. Exercise increases your energy levels and helps improve your overall mood. Ideally, you should aim to do 30 minutes of exercise at least three times per week. Going for a jog, taking a bike ride, doing yoga or going for some laps in a pool are all effective ways to get more active.

• 2

  Eat healthier foods. Diet plays an integral role in your everyday mood. Eat meals regularly and avoid foods high in refined sugars and carbohydrates, as they cause your energy to crash quickly. Take a multivitamin daily, eat five fruits and vegetables and drink at least eight cups of water per day.

• 3

  Get some sunlight. Exposure to sunlight increases your serotonin levels and depression often worsens with lack of sunlight. Go for a walk often.

• 4

  Identify and avoid activities that trigger feelings of depression. Once you have a better understanding of what is causing some of your anxiety, you can focus on ways of dealing with it more effectively.

• 5

  Build a support group around you. Maintain a network of family and close friends that you can confide in when you're feeling down. Make sure to communicate even when you feel overwhelmed.

• 6

  Be social. Depression often makes you feel alienated, but going out and being around other people improves your mood and gets you out of your own head.