Practical self help measures for mild to moderate depression

[handlemecarefully]

Have mild to moderate depression. Have checked this out with a couple of online depression scales which confirm my suspiscions, and will be seeing the GP for ADs

The reason for this thread is to ask those of you who have experienced or are currently experiencing similar, was there anything you found that you could do for yourself to lift the symptoms?

I wondered about giving myself a little 'treat' every day (but being mildly depressed am having difficulty definining what constitutes a 'treat' currently, lol)

Already exercise frequently so that's not a quick fix for me....

Make sure you eat properly
Spend time outside in the sunshine (or daylight)
Don't drink alcohol, or drink very moderately
Bath or shower every day
Make some effort with your appearance - decent/clean clothes, clean hair, some makeup (even if only blusher and mascara)
Meditate and/or seek spiritual comfort
Talk to/confide in someone - friend, dh/dp, sibling, professional or anyone you can trust
Keep to your routine - ie, don't stay inside/dwell on things and isolate yourself
Exercise (which you're already doing)

Message withdrawn

EXACLTY what Earlybird said.

I find that meditation - plopping on a pillow in a comfortable pillow and closing my eyes and breathing in and out for 5 minutes - VERY beneficial.

Also music and art as therapy - I was a dancer and just a few exercises help when I'm feeling low, or playing my guitar or singing.

I bought one of those SAD lights and it soooo helps in winter.

Other things like essential oils - Culpepper Relaxing blend, for example, Badger Balm and BAch's Rescue Remedy.

Omega 3s however you can get them in.

If one of your symptoms is social withdrawal (which is quite common) then putting some rules around social life might be helpful. So you might decide that you will arrange at least 3 social events a week. Or perhaps more specifically you will go for lunch twice, coffee twice, dinner twice.

It is important that you follow whatever rule you decide on religiously - this is the bit that the self esteem comes from.

Are you getting some counselling organised? That would be my first step tbh. You need to get to the bottom of why you are feeling like this.

Be kind to yourself - but a little bit tough too

More ideas for lifting depression. I used to suffer and since that time I have NEVER listened to/watched the news on television. It is all depressing, and the situations are all usually completely out of our control anyway.

And, never listen to classical music, most of it has a negative effect (in my opinion!) much better to listen to rousing happy music.

And finally! Doing some research on positive affirmations was my winning formula. I do positive affirmations EVERY DAY and I feel happy the majority of the time, and when I don't I can still put things into perspective. Basically it means saying a phrase out load 3 times per day, or more. Doing around 10 affirmations works wonders for lifting and destroying negative feelings.

There are some really helpful ideas here - thanks I shall certainly be trying them

Check out Yogi and Celestial Seasonings teas, too.

They make some quality ones that are really great as a daily treat.