Forget about depression.

If you are depressed, it is best to do something about it: depressions do not heal on their own. Apart from asking for help from a doctor or therapist, there are five things you can do to find yourself better.

• Physical exercise. Go at a brisk pace of 15 to 30 minutes each day, or dance, run or ride a bike, if you prefer. Depressed people do not usually want to be active. But, in any case, force yourself to do it (ask a friend to accompany you if you need to be motivated).

• Take care feeding yourself well. Depression can affect appetite. When they are depressed, some people do not feel like eating, but others can eat too much. If depression has affected your eating habits, you will have to keep in mind the need to eat well.

• Identify the problems, but do not turn them around. Try to identify the circumstances that have contributed to your depression. When you know what it is that has made you feel sad and downcast and why, talk about it with a friend who appreciates you.

• Express yourself When a person is depressed, they may have blocked creativity and the ability to enjoy things. Exercise your imagination (painting, drawing, doodling, sewing, writing, dancing, composing music, etc.) and you will not only get your creative juices flowing but you may also experience positive emotions.

• Try to look at the positive side of things. Depression affects the thoughts of people, making everything look black, disastrous, sad and negative. If depression is making you look only at the negative, make an effort to look at the good things in life.