I started to pursue methods of well-being and mindfulness not because I am an overly optimistic, sunshiny person, but because I have suffered on and off from various forms of depression my entire life.

I finally realized that I could take responsibility for my feelings and actively seek ways to feel better.

Every year I get seasonal depression. I believe that growing up in perma-gray Michigan has something to do with it because as soon as we get rainy winter days here in LA, the same symptoms always come creeping in. I have learned to recognize the signs over the years. Here are some of the feelings I experience:

♥ Extreme anxiety.

♥ Lethargy.

♥ Hopelessness.

♥ Overwhelm.

♥ Helplessness.

♥ Sleeplessness.

♥ Moodiness.

♥ General feelings of despair.

When the sun comes again, the feelings lessen and lift and I feel more like my old cheerful self.

Before I had ways of recognizing and coping with my depression bouts, I either blew off my needs and surrendered to suffering, or I self-medicated with unconscious entertainment shopping. I was never a shop-a-holic of hoarder proportions, but I definitely bought things I didn’t need for no other reason than it made me feel accomplished and useful in the moment.

Now I have developed a few different ways to face my Seasonal Depression.

Let me disclaimer that if you are suffering from serious depression you need the care of a doctor. And maybe a really good therapist. In the past I have sought both. What I am sharing does not take the place of medical care.

That being said, here are some things that really help me through the darker days. Knowing that the sun will be back always makes me feel better too.

 Yoga. Actually any exercise is great, but when I am depressed the last thing I want to do is jog or have some fit instructor yell at me to throw harder boxing punches. Yoga is mellow, you go at your own pace. The idea is to find movement that nurtures your body. Peeling myself out of bed is so hard when I feel down, but since I know that I feel better after yoga I can usually manage to go.

Back off the caffeine. When you lack energy it would seem like more coffee is the ticket. But it makes your heart race and  fingers jittery and amps up the level of anxiety. So have your cup in the morning then switch to herbal tea. Otherwise it will mess with your sleep and that is the worst thing possible.

Cuddle an animal. What would we do without Oxytocin? Puppies are the wonder drug. One of my dogs becomes disgruntled and resentful with too much snuggling. But lucky for me my other dog is a muffin and a half. She is happy to receive cuddles 24/7. Don’t ever underestimate the power of pink belly rubs and slobbery kisses.

Hang around happy people. Did you know that moods are contagious? If you have codgy grumble-heads in your life, consider a temporary kick to the curbage of all the sour-pusses. At least until you get back to your happy place.

Avoid sugar and carby comfort food. Believe me, I know how awesome a cupcake is when you need a power boost. But that kind of food is your worst enemy if you suffer from depression. Avoiding anything that started out as dough is essential to pulling yourself out of a slump. If you are craving sugar, which I always am, go for apples, pears or oranges. Just like mom used to tell ya!

Nurture yourself, rest, and sleep. My sleep ALWAYS suffers when I am depressed. Mostly because my cortisol levels go sky high from the anxiety. If you find yourself wallowing in torpor or have a day when unable to get out of bed, it’s ok. We all do it. Don’t beat yourself up about it. It could just you meeting your need for more rest.

But if you don’t feel like getting up and around because of depression remember this:

It is within your control to take a step toward feeling better.

Even if that step in tiny, like lets say taking a shower and getting dressed.

I learned that no one else could or would take responsibility for making me feel better.

Once you decide that you want to feel better, and look at your moods as an overall litmus for your health you can take an action.