One of the most important things I did when struggling with depression was to stick with a routine. I know it sounds too easy, but getting up and going to bed at the same time every day is really important. With depression, the urge is to lay around and do nothing, shirk your responsibilities, ignore the phone, etc. Get up and go on with things even when you don't feel like it- believe me, it helps.
Next to keeping a normal routine, getting out of the house is critical. Sunshine and fresh air can do wonders for your mood. A walk in the park, a swim at the pool or a trip to the zoo can all get those "feel good" chemical pumping through your brain. Make it a point to hang out with other people. Being with friends and loved ones can take the focus away from you, as long as you listen to and engage with those around you. Remember, also, that the people in your life are your support structure. It's far better to talk about what's troubling you than to bottle it up and pretend nothing's wrong.
Positive self-talk means saying good things to yourself. Every morning, I look in the mirror and say three nice things about myself. If I catch myself thinking negative self-thoughts, I correct it immediately. I give my partner a compliment every day too - it just feels good, and keeps me from thinking too much about myself. You may not think so at first, but sooner or later you will actually believe the good things you say. To sum up, what I do about depression is fight back, with all the energy I have. I don't allow myself to become isolated, scared or a prisoner in my own home.
Keywords: depression, the, struggle