Everybody has experienced the “I don’t want to get out of bed” feeling. It's normal to want to ignore the alarm clock to sleep some more. Try eating a few bites of that rich creamy chocolate you love, or talk with friends to ease your blues. However, you should understand the thin line between “I just woke up on the wrong side of the bed” from “I wish I never woke up anymore.” Watch out for possible signs of depression among friends and yourself, especially if you are experiencing it right now. The following survival tips will surely help you cope with depression.

Cry.

Cry if you need to. Cry until you cannot cry anymore if it is the only way to lighten your feelings a little bit. Crying is good since it cleanses the body from stress. Crying is one of the best ways to let go of all the bottled up emotions you have been keeping inside.

Talk to someone.

When you feel down down, it is good advice to have someone to listen to all your rants and raves. It's not just because you need advice badly, but a set of ears letting you know that someone has time to take notice of your feelings is heart warming. Purging your emotions to a friend, family member or even a psychiatrist serves as a catharsis to unload yourself of your frustrations. Do not be afraid to admit that you are having emotional difficulties; it is not a sign of being abnormal. Rather, it is a sign of acknowledgement and a willingness to work on the issue.

Keep yourself busy.

Keeping yourself busy will draw your attention to something else. Try reading a good book or attending a gym class so you will not think of anything gloomy. Boredom can make people think and do things they should not otherwise. As Elle Woods from the movie “Legally Blonde” said, “Exercise gives you endorphins; endorphins make you happy; happy people don’t kill other people.” On the other hand, if you have a friend who has a suicidal tendency, never ever leave him alone. If possible, try to contact a psychiatrist for her or inform her guardians or immediate family about his condition.

Rekindle your relationship with Him.

Sometimes when you feel that the whole world is against you, making a deep connection with a divine force – God, in whatever language you call Him - will do wonders. You can tell Him everything. If you find confessing to friends and family is not possible, then He is the best bet to seek comfort.

Realize that there are things beyond your control.

You cannot keep bad things from happening but you still have control over how to react to them. Remember, life can get out of hand whether you like it or not. Getting into a mess does not mean that you can not get out of it. People do make mistakes but it is not a reason to turn away from the world.

Smile.

Smile those blues away. There is always tomorrow. The future is always full of hope for better things.

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