I got an email to day about this subject. I am a little wary to post about it in general, because severe depressioin needs medical treatment. So, as long as you are under a physician’s care, you can, with his consent try my suggestions. If you have mild or moderate depression it is much less critical.
In general depression can be relieved with the same suggestions as I gave in my last post about PMS. For most people the underlying problems are the same. However I would focus more on exercise. 30 to 40 minutes a day of moderate aerobic exercise, can greatly reduce the symptoms of depression, as well as anxiety and other emotional problems.
Mindfulness training may be more effective than deep relaxation for depression. I would check out Jon Kabat-Zinn’s CDs for that.
Saint John’s Wort has proven to be an effective herb in relieving mild to moderate depression, but current research suggests that it may be less effective for severe depression. More research is needed there.
I recommend a book called Potatoes not Prozac. It looks at the role diet plays in balancing our mood chemicals.
Finally, I would like to return to the importance of attitude. Humor is so important in keeping a healthy state of mind. Laugh a lot and it’s harder to be depressed. Also, regularly focusing on gratitude is a great antidote. Every morning before you get out of bed, and every night before you go to sleep, focus on all the things you are grateful for in your life. Don’t just do it routinely, really feel the gratitude. Enjoy what you have.