Home Roadmap to Heart Health Health Risk Assessment Healthy Living Tools and Tips Nutrition Physical Activity Weight Management Emotional Health Relaxation Skills Is Stress Making You Sick? Understanding Your Anger Depression Facts More About Depression Tobacco Risk Factors and Treatment Options Community Programs Tools for Clinicians

Most people experience some form of depression at some point in their lives. Depression can range from a minor problem to a major life-threatening illness.

If you have experienced five or more of the following symptoms nearly every day for more than two weeks, you may be suffering from depression:

• feeling sad, blue, tearful, hopeless or down
• showing little interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy (including sex)
• experiencing a change in appetite, causing a weight gain or loss
• sleeping much more or less than usual
• feeling restless or irritable
• feeling fatigued or a loss of energy
• having feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
• having difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
• feeling like life isn’t worth living
• having thoughts of death or suicide

Self-Care

Try some of the following self-care tips for the next two weeks. See if they help you feel better. If not, see the back of this handout for next steps.

Get Moving

Even if you are not “in the mood,” exercise is good for you. You will have more energy, lose tension, and feel better. Examples of exercise include walking, swimming, and bicycling. Work your way up to 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week.

Find Joy Again

Believe it or not, pleasure is good for you. Think of things that you enjoy—big or small—and do them. It can be anything from listening to music you love to taking time to walk your dog. You may have to push yourself at first, but it will help you feel better.

Page 1 2