Fighting Depression

So the other day I was listening to this talk by Elder Holland and I felt so much peace.  I also felt the love of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  They care about me and about everyone on this earth and want us to be happy. Elder Holland talks of fighting depression.  He says it is as real as someone with high blood pressure and should not be looked on with any degree of distain.  

So I wanted to share the link to this talk.  I love it. I hope you will listen to it.

Like a Broken Vessel Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Saturday Afternoon, October 2013

I also thought of my fight with depression.  I thought of the things that have helped me through my tough times.  I have had a great support system, thankfully.  But I have learned that I can do things that help me too. 

So here they are.
1. Pray/Uplifting Moments - Prayer is always so good for me.  I know that Heavenly Father hears and answers my prayers.  I also love to read a good uplifting article or listen to a great speaker like the one above.
2. Exercise - This is the one that I have had the best success with because I also have a great friend who walks with me and we have some good gabbing.  We like to take our kids with and they ride their bikes.  Sometimes we all ride bikes and this is fun.  It is good for all of us.  In the winter when it is bad weather I will get on the stationary bike or do other exercises.  So I always notice a big difference when I have been consistent with my exercising. 
3. Eat and Healthy Diet.  - When I eat good foods my body feels good and there for my mind feels good and Vise versa when I eat junk and a lot of sugar I feel sick both physically and emotionally. 
4. Do Something - When I really feel down and just want to hide and sleep or read, if I get up and do something that I know needs to be done then I feel better. I usually have to pray for strength to do this and I especially feel good if it is something that I really didn't want to do.  Then I usually can do more things and pretty soon I am facing the world like I would on a good day.
5. Take my Med's - I have always take the same med and the same dose and I know when I have missed too many days.  This medicine is a great blessing to me and many others and I'm so grateful to live in a time when we have so many medical advances.

I did not put these in an specific order.  Somedays one is more important and more helpful than another day.  But I know that these things have helped me and I hope that they can help others too.  If you struggle too, I want you to know that Heavenly Father and Christ LOVE you.  No Matter what they LOVE you.