1. Smile. It sounds silly, but studies have shown that even a fake smile produces "feel good" chemicals (endorphins) in your brain. Go find a mirror and force yourself to smile for at least five minutes. If your not laughing by then, go outside and smile at strangers. Sound Strange? (You're probably smiling at the thought of it, right now!) It may be strange, but it works, I guarantee it!
2. Exercise. A good swift walk around the block or 15 minutes of aerobics will stimulate your brains "feel good" chemicals. If you get into the habit of doing a little daily exercise, you can reduce your recurring feelings of despair by a drastic degree. If aerobics isn't your thing, just go for a 20 minute walk every day.
3. Keep a journal. In your journal write about whatever is bothering you. Write your feelings in all their blackness. Write about what part of the situation you did have, or could have had, some choice, some control over part of it. Then before you're through, for each entry, end the list with at least one thing you like about yourself. Then write one thing you would like to do to help someone else, (open a door for an older person at the mall etc.)
4. Do a good deed. This is another of those weird suggestions that sounds unrealistic. However, over and over, people have experienced and studies confirm, that when you get out of your egocentric world of "woe-is-me," and spend time helping others, you tend to forget about your problems, and your dreary feelings disappear. It's like nature's magical remedy. Try it- it works!
5. Talk to someone. Find someone you can trust. I don't mean your best friend who has, in the past, "leaked" something you have told them in confidence. I mean someone you KNOW will not tell anyone and who will not judge you or try to tell you HOW to feel. Someone who will just let you get it out of your system without trying to "fix it." If you're so inclined, cry while you talk. Studies (yes I read a lot of studies), have shown that depression's chemicals, produced by your brain, come out in your tears. Crying is a wonderful way to relieve yourself of the excess. It hurts for a while, but generally, afterward, you will feel much better.
   
   

Depression