Hi Mina,

I’m so happy to hear you are looking for healthy ways to overcome your depression! This mental process alone is a great start!

Having myself suffered from depression, I understand what it’s like when you’re in that deep dark hole.  Here are some tips that I have used to overcome depression in the past:

Exercise is a great method to overcome depression. It releases endorphins and makes you feel great. Motivation can be hard to come by when you’re feeling like this, so don’t try and overdo it to begin with – it may not work out the way you’d like it to. Maybe start by going walking and gradually build yourself up from there.

Also try to avoid bad food, alcohol, cigarettes.. any type of toxic substance and instead nourish your body with healthy foods, like fruit, vegetables, lean meat, grains, lots of water etc. I’m not an expert, but one thing I’ve always stood by is healthy body = healthy mind.

Surround yourself with loved ones and people who make you feel happy and enlightened. Maybe take up a hobby or do something that you love to do. Play an instrument, or learn a language. Try and occupy your mind with other interests.

I’ve also read a lot of self help books. One that I’m currently reading is called the Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. It has given me some great coping mechanisms to stay in the present moment and not live in the past or future. When we live in the past, it tends to create depression. Louise Hayes – you can heal your life is another powerful book that I recommend.

Another method for you to try is meditation and positive affirmations which you should be able to find online. Try these daily for at least a month and you will definitely feel the benefits!

I’ve also recently gone through a break up and the thing to remember is what you’re feeling right now is completely normal. You are going through one of the grieving stages of loss (also google this) so be kind to yourself and reach out to those around you when you feel like you need support.

I hope this has helped and I hope you see you recover from this time soon. Please keep us posted with your progress. And if you feel like things are really getting on top of you, see a councillor – talking it out with someone can be a big relief.

All the best x