Depression is the most prevalent disease of our time. Under the guise of informing the public, both the medical profession and the media are constantly "warning" us of the dangers and probabilities of the disease most likely to terminate us. News about a lack of sufficient influenza vaccine is enough to get our collective blood pressure soaring.

Bad news is chronic and it affects us all. Do I have a magic pill that will make all the bad go away? No. But, there are ways to help us stay out of depression.

Live One Day At a Time

The Bible admonishes us to live each day to the fullest as there's enough evil in one day to handle! Don't look back on past hurts, nor fret about tomorrow. Live today as if it is the only day you have. Make each day so full of the present that yesterday and its problems are completely shut out and tomorrow is unattainable! Choose to focus all your thoughts and energy on what is at hand, and do everything to the best of your ability.

Watch Your Tongue!

The power of life and death are in the tongue. Words can both bless and curse. Negative words can evoke great fear and anxiety. The mind paints a picture of every word we hear or see. Although words are not tangible, they have the power to bring about physical matter! The earth was created by the Word of God's Power! Negative words always produce negative impulses, whether minute or major. Conversely, positive words make you feel good. A mere smile and a happy: "Have a great day!" instantly exude warmth. So, be careful of what you allow to sink deeply into your subconscious.

Happiness Is a Choice

We can choose to dwell on bad news and perpetuate it by speaking about it, or to swiftly replace our thoughts and words with constructive ones. Whenever we hear good music, our feet start tapping, we're humming the melody, and pretty soon we're happy. Our thoughts respond to what we feed the mind through our senses. Therefore, we CAN choose to be happy! Start practicing to switch off the minuses in your life and concentrate on the pluses.

Gratitude; the Antidote

Thankfulness is one of the greatest virtues. If you divided a page in two and wrote all your setbacks on one side and all the blessings on the other, you would find that your blessings far outnumber the negatives. The Bible says to give thanks with a grateful heart for all things.

God Is In Control!

Start each day by thanking God, your creator and loving father. He knew you before you were born and knows your end. Spend time in the Word, especially the Psalms. You will receive a new refreshing, empowerment and warmth.

Some Practical Recommendations

1) Get lots of sunshine. Melatonin, a hormone produced only in the dark, lowers the body temperature and makes you feel sluggish.

2) Keep busy. Taking frequent strolls, playing sports, or volunteering help chase the blues away.

3) Pamper yourself every now and then. Take a day and just have fun, doing what you like most.

4) Eat nutritiously. Sugar, caffeine, and alcohol will eventually cause anxiety, tension, and internal problems.

5) Socialize. Hang out with people who are up-beat and give moral support.