This time of year, many people are getting excited for spring, which means sunshine and warm weather for about 9 months. But for some people, even the thought of spring and summer cannot get them out of their depressed mood. So the question is – how do you deal with depression?

But the answer is not that easy because what works for one person, may not work for another. However, here are some things to try that have been known to work for a variety of people.

The first thing you should do is make sure that your depression isn’t being caused by a medical condition. Things like low thyroid function, low progesterone, or low blood oxygen can cause depression, as can bad eating habits, lack of sleep, and no exercise. All of these things can make a person feel more depressed than they normally would.

That being said, a few things that you can take away from the above information is that if you’re not currently exercising, get started!  Even if you just walk around the block you will release some of the natural “feel good” chemicals in your body (called endorphins). You might have to push yourself at first, but soon you will look forward to that natural high as well as the fresh – air and getting to know your neighborhood a little better.

Getting enough sleep is also important. If you have problems sleeping, try a few simple things: Make your routine more – well – routine! Never watch TV in bed. Instead, do the same things (at approximately the same time) each night to get yourself ready for bed (wash your face, brush your teeth, etc.). You need to let your body know that after you do these things, it’s time to sleep.

You might also try a meditation tape or the more advanced Brainwave Entrainment CD’s to calm your brain down and help stop those negative thoughts that are keeping you up at night. Use the techniques where you can lay down and relax, not something you listen to while on the computer. It’s not a good idea go get on the computer before you go to bed. Reading about other people’s problems on Facebook, or Twitter is NOT going to help your mind calm down!

And, speaking of negative thoughts, watch out for them and stop them whenever possible! Negative thoughts can creep in and feed off each other and soon, even if you were in a good mood earlier, now you’re just thinking of all the negativity in your life.  I have a simple method that I use as often as I need to when I feel like I’m talking too much crap to myself.  As negativity is going through my head and I recognize it – I scream (to myself) STOP!  Then try to think of something more positive. If the thought starts to creep in again, I say STOP again. And same as before try to think of something positive. I sometimes have to do this a few times, but that mental action combined with changing the activity I’m doing will soon put me in a better mood and get me to thinking about something more positive.

Now that you’ve stopped the chatter in your head and are getting more exercise, you’ll have time for more feel-good activities. You could cook dinner for a neighbor or take on some new responsibilities that give you a feeling of accomplishment; set some new goals – and most importantly – do something new, exciting and fun for yourself that brings a smile to your face!

Just a smile can make all the difference in the world!