Depression can come from many sources. Sometimes, the blues are brought on by a tragic event, such as the death of a loved one or losing your first love. At other times, however, these emotions seem to come without any reason at all.

If you’re suffering from feelings of depression, it may be due to an imbalance within your body. While serious cases of depression require medical help, there are some simple solutions that you can try on your own that often provide immediate relief from the sadness.

Try these depression strategies to begin experiencing the life of joy you were born to live:

  1. Change your diet. Eating healthy is good for your body, but it can also be good for your emotions. Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables keep your blood sugar level stable and healthy. Eating fish regularly provides your body with essential fats and protein that can help to boost your mood.
  • Processed foods and simple sugars may contribute to feelings of depression. In addition, these foods contribute to an overall poor health that makes the battle for your mind and emotions more difficult.
  • Drink plenty of water. Eat smaller meals, and eat more often to properly fuel your body for the challenges you face in life. And consider taking a multivitamin supplement to ensure that you’re getting all the vitamins and minerals that your body needs to create within you the emotional health you deserve to experience.
  • Exercise. One of the quickest ways to lift your mood is with exercise. A regular exercise routine will increase your overall health, self-confidence, and feelings of happiness. Keep it simple and start small. You don’t have to run a marathon on the first day of your exercise program.
  • Get out of the house and go for a walk. Or find an aerobics class that you’ll enjoy in your hometown. Set small, manageable goals for exercise and remember that the point is to get moving on a regular basis, not to accomplish every exercise goal you have in the first few days of your program.
  • Get enough rest. The optimum amount of sleep a person needs each night varies from person to person. If you feel sluggish around mid-afternoon or anytime during your day, you may not be getting enough sleep. Short-changing yourself on sleep is a surefire way to increase feelings of sadness in your life.
  • If you’re feeling blue and tired, try to increase the amount of sleep you’re getting at night. Often, giving your body enough rest will cause you to feel better about yourself and your circumstances in a few short days.
  • Find the silver lining. When you’re sad, it’s hard to find the positive in the things that are going on around you. But the more you practice gratitude and notice the positive things around you, the faster you begin to experience feelings of joy that replace the sadness.
  • Ask yourself empowering questions that begin to change your perspective. What are you happy about? What could you be happy about if you wanted to be happy? Who do you love and who loves you? What are you excited about? What could you be excited about?
  • When you face defeat, ask yourself, “What can I learn from this? What’s great about this? How can I use this?” Questions like these change your focus and cause your mind to find answers that empower you.

These steps are simple, but they can have a profound impact on the sadness you’re experiencing. You deserve to live a life that’s filled with joy and self-confidence. Begin to use these strategies today to move yourself in the direction of the happier life you deserve!