A few of the major reasons why depression occurs is when you feel the effects of someone close to you dying or leaving. Other reasons include a feeling of unhappiness, a feeling of loneliness when friends are not accessible. The seeming distance of others compared to what is going on in your life can lead to depression. No matter what the cause, if you feel lonely, depressed, or if you find that your life is different now than what it might have been yesterday, there are a few things that you can do. 

If you have been feeling a bit blue you need to change the set of your mind and how you think about things. Think about all the great things in your life. Your health, your home, your friends and family, and the things in life that you love the most. There are many blessings that you might not realize that are even going on in your life that you would love no matter what, that will make you feel better just by thinking about those things. 

A comedy movie or a funny book is always something that will change the set of your mind. Watch a funny movie or a funny show on television, bringing about a change of mood for your daily life. Sometimes it can be difficult to think about funny things, but you will laugh without even realizing it which will enhance your mood. 

You might not realize it but taking a long walk or getting a little exercise is going to boost your moods. Exercising takes your mind off what could be bothering you and it is going to help your mind as the chemical naturally change how your mind thinks and feels leaving the blues and depression behind. 

Music can be a very helpful item to fight depression. Put some of your favorite music on the radio and turn it up. Feel your mind just relax and the worries of your day leave your mind. Part of feeling better, feeling less depression, and getting on in life is learning to relax your mind and your body at the same time, music helps you do this. 

You might find this funny, but rent a car that you can put the top down in and take a ride. The wind blowing in your hair makes you lose thought of what might have been troubling you. Renting a car and taking a drive is also going to make you feel different about your life, appreciate your own car and appreciate the scenery where you live which will fight depression. 

When you are feeling a little lonely and blue, take out the family photo albums and look at what memories that you have enjoyed over your lifetime. Think about all the people that you know and the people that you haven’t talked to in a while. Pick up the phone and call someone you want to hear from or talk to. The new found friendship and conversation is going to make your mind relaxed and help fight the blues. 

Have you been feeling a little blue about yourself? Get a hair cut, a tan, or have your nails done. Pedicures, manicures, or just a body wrap, possibly a massage – these are the things that are going to make you feel better, feel more alive and your mind is going to be relaxed. Do something that you love for yourself to fight off thoughts of the blues or depression. 

• Fly a kite
• Sing a song
• Wash your feet in a bucket of hot water
• Comb your hair for five minutes
• Rub baby oil over your legs
• Sit in the sun on the deck
• Read a book; don’t put it down until you are done
• Paint your bedroom a new color
• Buy a cake that will taste great after supper
• Go for a swim or soak in the tub
• Play with the cat or dog for half an hour
• Climb a rocky wall 
• Take a hike 
• Clean the house
• Make a list of everything that you own 
• Make a list of everyone that you love
• Change the curtains in your room
• If you are feeling a little blue, take some time and visit your favorite local church. You might be surprised that the feeling of the church and the warmth of what the church represents alone is going to chase your blues away. 
  
  When you are fighting depression in the middle of a cold winter month, call and talk to old friends that you haven’t seen in months. Don’t hang up the phone until you make a date to stop and see your long lost friend. You will be amazed at how much this is going to change how you feel about life and chase the blues away.