How to Get Over a Temporary Depression Low

The blues, a rut, the doldrums---depression has many names. But despite the laissez faire attitude with which it is treated or the cliché terms used to describe it, depression, even when temporary, hurts. There are ways in which you can rise above it without medication. However, you must be proactive or it can turn into something more serious and dangerous. If you find yourself wanting to crawl under the covers and hibernate for the next two weeks, there is hope.

Instructions

• 1

  Change your diet. You may be surprised to learn that temporary depression can be caused by a poor diet. If you are eating a diet high in refined sugar and carbohydrates you are damaging your brain and your health. Sugar prevents your brain from being soft and pliable so that messages can be transmitted freely. If you are having trouble concentrating you run the risk of falling prey to temporary depression. A diet high in sugar also drains your body of vitamin B1, resulting in increased fatigue, irritability and depression.

  Cut down on caffeine and alcohol. If your depression is just temporary take note of how much caffeine you are consuming and at what time of day. If it is causing you to lose sleep at night, don't drink it after 3 p.m. Lack of sleep can cause irritability and depression. Alcohol only intensifies feelings of sadness, and if you are struggling through a life issue the worst thing you can do is self medicate.

• 2

  Take your vitamins and minerals. Your body needs a dose of complex B vitamins to ward off those occasional bouts of depression. Vitamin B6 is responsible for producing melatonin, serotonin and dopamine. Pregnancy can sometimes deplete the body of B6. A deficiency in B12 can lead to mood swings, irritability and even paranoia.

  Eat your fish, or at least take Omega-3 vitamins. Omega-3 acid DHA increases gray matter in three key areas of the brain responsible for mood. Depression has also been connected to iron deficiency. A multi-vitamin with minerals taken in conjunction with Omega-3 fish oil capsules will improve your mood.

• 3

  Volunteer. Sometimes it helps if you can busy yourself with a community project or volunteering. Consider reading to children at the library, writing letters for the elderly or baking goodies for others.

• 4

  Meditate. Whether it be through a practice like yoga or through religion, meditation is a good way to relax your mind and your body.