Title: 
Depression Hurts, but You can beat it at its game.

Word Count:
795

Summary:
Yes, depression hurts at times, but it can only succeed at this if you allow. Learn how to empower yourself to have victory over depression.


Keywords:
Depression Hurts


Article Body:
Thank God we have problems. 
No, that is not a misprint friend. It is true. Why? Because it means we are still alive and guess what, it means you are being made stronger. Granted, we all have problems, some big, some small; all a source of worry, anxiety and maybe even sadness. It is part of living. The truth is it is how we handle our difficulties and problems that can make or break us as humans. Difficulties should act as a spur for action, according to Charles de Gaulle: "Difficulties attracts the man of character because it is in embracing it that he realizes himself!"

As powerful a grip as depression may have on you, as much as depression hurts and can make things seem hopeless, remember the quote above and make the steps to belittle the strength of this enemy of your happiness, before this foe called depression hurts you.

I believe it’s been said that we only use about 10% of our brain and maybe even less when it comes to our problems, which in turn aggravates how much depression hurts or seems to affect us. If you truly look within and reach for the strength that lies inside of all of us, you will see that most problems are really only bigger than what they are. Truthfully we magnify their effects with pessimistic and hopeless thoughts.

“Okay, Mr. “Big Shot”, you tell me how to go about overcoming my depression”
I will do my best for you my friend, but promise that you will try what I tell you.

To lessen the pain of depression and your problems, here are some tips for you.

1. Think positively thoughts as much as is humanly possible. Always believe there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Remember: “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he…” If you think ‘it’ that things will improve, fate and the life forces around will be at your disposal to aid you to succeed.

2. Watch what you utter and try as much as possible to say positive things about your life, the cause of your depression and situations. “Death and Life is in the power of your tongue (words), those who love its fruits (aware of its consequences) will eat from it. (enjoy…or well if negative, not enjoy…it)
Speak to your situation by repeating positive affirmation aloud.

3. Assess your problems and DO something about it. Try to figure out why it 
Occurred in the first place, learn from the situation and take the lesson as a learning experience you can draw from to make things better in the future.

Now, since a common symptom of depression is a feeling of worthlessness, why not increase your self-worth and confidence by making yourself healthier. A healthy body equates to a healthy mind, and a healthy mind, friends, is a powerful one. Stronger than any hurt depression could bring your way, stronger than your problems, stronger than your pains. But, like any muscle, you’ve got to work at it to ‘make’ it strong.

I mentioned getting healthy. Well we all know how; through a proper diet and exercise.
The former will nourish and make you literally feel great and the latter, especially in regards to depression will exercise the motor centers of the brain, making the blood flow away from the emotional activity center; consequently you become more receptive to positive thoughts, which by the way is the first step to healing depression –there is a quote that supports this, it goes-“Be transformed by the renewing of your thoughts”
Say that over and over, until it seeks into your subconscious. 

For those who believe in the existence of the Unseen yet the Omnipotent and Present One…God. A simple and straightforward prayer asking for His help can and will soothe the pain and challenges we may have to face in our lives. He has promised us two things when it comes to facing life's ups and downs: "He will never give us more than we can handle" and to "Fear not for I am with thee, be not dismayed for I am thy God, I will help thee and strengthen and I will uphold you with my victorious right Hand!". Indeed, these are powerful verses to keep in mind in coping with depression.

I’m not saying things will be instantly better, hey Rome wasn’t built in a day friends.
With anything in life, you have to work-not necessarily hard at it-but smarter and we all know you only get out of something what you put into it-actually, a lot more.

Depression hurts, we know that; but now YOU can beat depression because you are stronger!

You can make it if you try.


