How to Stop Depression Immediately

Everybody has ups and downs, but if you have more downs than ups, you may be depressed. Here are some quick tips that may pull you out of a slump.

• Get plenty of sleep. Even a slight sleep shortage can cause depression in some people.
• Avoid alcohol. Drinking alcohol regularly can slowly pull your body and mind into a state of depression. This effect may persist even on the days you don’t drink at all. If you cut out alcohol, your depression will probably disappear in a few days. If you have trouble giving up alcohol, go here to seek help. You may have an addiction that needs professional care.
• Control your stress. You can’t always control the events in your life, but you can control your reac­tion. A calm, organized, logical approach to prob­lems is better than flying off the handle or letting yourself fall apart.

• Talk it out. Just talking about your troubles with a counselor or trusted friend can make you feel better and give you a more balanced perspective on how to handle the problems in your life.
• Relax. Take some time for yourself each day, even if it is only for a few minutes, to physically relax your body and mind. Get involved in any activity that diverts your mind from everyday stresses and strains.
• Sniff your blues away. According to Dr. Susan Schiffman, professor of medical psychology at Duke University Medical Center, sniffing a pleasant scent will give your spirits a major lift. The reason? The area of your brain that registers smells also controls emotions. Sniff perfume, fresh flowers, or even an aro­matic herbal tea for a quick mood lift. If you like flow­ers, try the fragrance of osmanthus or tuberose — a study found they offered the best relief from depres­sion. Hyacinth, Douglas fir, and muguet scents also work well.
• Improve your mood with caffeine. A 10-year study of 86,626 registered nurses showed that those who drank two to three cups of coffee a day were less likely to commit suicide than those who did­n’t. More studies are needed to see if caffeine actually prevents depression. Just keep in mind that, for some people, caffeine has a nasty let­down effect that is almost worse than a bad mood.
• Laugh a lot. On average, a six-year-old laughs 300 times a day, an adult only 15 to 100 times a day. Studies show that the more humor and laughter you have in your life, the less likely you are to feel depressed. So, go ahead, do whatever it takes to lift your mood — whether it’s a slapstick movie, cartoons, books, or a night out with goofy friends.