Depression creeps into everyone's life at some point. Whether it's clinically diagnosed and chronic or happens on random days, depression is a very real monster for most people. It's not something to be ashamed of or defined by.

Every once in a while when I find myself stuck in that seemingly endless rut, I try to pull myself out of it with a few of these self-care practices. (Disclaimer: Therapy is an incredibly useful tool. Sometimes we need a source outside of ourselves to help out. As it turns out, medical professionals know what they are doing, and are pretty great at what they do. This simple list is purely from my own experience.)

1. Get out and go for a walk.

Nothing clears my head like a long walk. If anything else, just stepping outside and breathing the fresh air helps exponentially. And if it's raining, go outside anyway and play in the rain!

2. Treat your body to good foods.

The better fuel you give to your body, the better it will be able to function. Just go one day with eating all of your fruits and veggies coupled with drinking lots of water, and I promise you will notice a difference.

3. Exercise

Go for a run, or put on a workout video. Release that dopamine and those endorphins.

4. Talk to someone.

Pick up the phone or go grab a good listener, and talk until you don't have anything left to say.

5. Journal/ Be Creative.

Write out everything or just plain nonsense. If you like to paint, paint! If you like to bake, bake!

6. Volunteer

This one's a double whammy because you get the selfish pleasure of knowing you helped with some cause and you gain human interaction. Both are good soul foods.

7. Meditate/Pray

To me there will always be something calming about the stillness of the mind, body, and soul.

8. Go for a drive to one of your favorite places.

Maybe it's that camp you went to when you were little or a random pond in the middle of a park, but go somewhere where happy memories were made. Nostalgia is a powerful drug.