It is a bit embarrassing to write about depression as it reveals my own battles with it, but the truth is 15 million Americans get "the blues." Hopefully bringing this subject to the light of day will help take the taboo out of it and help others who feel alone in their
struggle — or even ashamed of being depressed.

In many cultures, depression has a negative stigma attached to it and our Japanese American culture is no exception. But there is nothing to be ashamed about being depressed. It's not as if one chooses to become depressed or has a character defect that causes it. Depression is an ailment like any other physical problem.

And although it can be a recurring illness, there are many ways to prevent and treat it.

Maintaining strong emotional ties to other people and making an effort to socialize regularly and staying connected to a community is a powerful defense against depression. Physical exercise is very important, and so is a healthy diet. Too much sugar, caffeine and alcohol can destabilize one's mood and if one is susceptible to depression, moderation is particularly important.

Unfortunately, our society is prone to popping pills (often for economic reasons and not medical ones) and the use of anti-depressants is quite common these days. I believe there are less expensive and less harmful ways (considering the side-effects, which can be quite serious) to actively cope with depression before resorting to a more passive solution. However, I am not a doctor, and don't advise stopping any medications before consulting one.

Therapy is an obvious solution, but can be quite costly... Talking to a trusted relative or friend or confiding in one's minister or spiritual mentor can be one way of finding comfort and solace. And I have found that talking to my elders almost always makes feel better
when I am down.

Spending time with children is also a way to re-connect and feel energized; their spontaneity and love of life is contagious!

Domesticated animals can be soothing and engaging, especially furry, affectionate ones! ;) They are often brought into nursing homes and hospitals to boost the spirits of the bed-ridden and I've heard that having a pet lowers one's blood pressure, too.

Steady doses of sunlight are important, too, and some people choose to live in a sunnier climate to avoid seasonal depression. Sunlamps are helpful for people who tend to feel low on grey days.

As depression makes one feel lethargic and unmotivated, it is crucial to Do something and not submit to being a "couch potato." Sitting in front of a television is not recommended; taking a walk and/or doing a few simple tasks is.

Maintaining a predictable sleeping schedule is conducive to improving one's energy level; sleeping too much is counter-productive.

Being creative is also helpful in preventing depression... I can't give you facts and figures to prove this, but from my own experience, I can say that singing and songwriting has kept me from feeling blue many a time! ;)

I find that wearing bright colors makes a difference, too. People tend to start wearing darker colors in colder months, but I purposefully continue to don pink and other summery colors to keep myself in cheery spirits.

St. John's Wort is a gentle, inexpensive, homeopathic over-the-counter alternative to harsher prescriptions. Excessive sunlight exposure is not recommended when taking it, so it's especially appropriate for gloomy, sun-less days.

I would never replace the Doing solutions with simply taking St. John's Wort, for coping with depression requires action, and expecting a substance to do all the work is unrealistic.

Incorporating meditation as a daily practice keeps one's moods in check, and encourages the discipline of clearing out mental clutter, which I believe helps to fend off depression. A mere five minutes a day can help, and would probably be best for someone who is depressed, as the most important cure is to be active rather than stay sedentary...

As a friend wisely noted, "depression can lift at any moment..." ~ being open to that moment by staying positive and hopeful helps, and definitely can't hurt!

Never fear, brighter days await you! :)