Depression and gratitude have a hard time living in the same space. The more we practice gratitude, the less real estate there is for depression in our minds.

Here are some tips to exercise your gratitude muscle:

Write a thank you note. Think of someone who did something nice for you, and write them a detailed thank you note. Maybe it’s something small from this past week. Maybe something from your childhood. Bonus points: Send them that letter, or meet in person to read it to them. Sharing the gratitude in person kicks the depression fighting elements of this exercise into overdrive.

Ask for help. If you can’t think of anything to be grateful for, ask a friend. Don’t feel like talking to someone else? Try looking at old photographs or looking over a journal instead.

Keep a gratitude journal. When we are in the pits, it can be hard to think of something to be grateful for. By keeping a daily gratitude journal, we can begin to create a database of gratitude we can rely on when we’re feeling down.

This is the first in a series of blogs covering the many facets and faces of depression. Check back for more topics in the coming weeks!

Eric McClerren, LAPC