While I write a lot about the many biological and environmental factors that contribute to bouts or clinical cases of depression - there are many of us who also actively contribute to it as well. These are mistakes that many of us make with ourselves or with people we love who suffer from depression.

Let's take a look...

Mistake #1 - Laying In Bed Until The Absolute Last Minute

Ask any of my friends and they will tell you that I love to sleep in:) But it's a mistake if you are feeling depressed and you purposely decide to stay in bed until the last possible minute before work or "showing up" for your children on a Saturday.

Why? Well there are the obvious things such as getting to work on time and spending quality time with your children, but there is also the other part of it. Laying in bed asleep all day or worse -- vegetating in front of the television -- will only increase your feelings of exhaustion and sadness.

Try this simple act: Lift yourself out of bed and raise all the blinds, put on your favorite radio station, and sit on the edge of your bed for five minutes. Think about 3 things you are grateful for today. That's it - -just 3! And watch your spirits lift -- at least enough to take the next step. The shower!

Mistake #2 - Thinking About "The Problem" All Day

Many of us are going through a period of depression because of something that has happened or one particular issue. The mistake that we make with this is that it becomes all we think about. All day. All night. When we talk to friends. When we make dinner. When we lay in bed. When we take a bath. When we eat a sandwich!

So is it so impossible to understand why we are STILL depressed? If you constantly dwell on the problem, that is all that you will feel -- overwhelmed by the problem.

Try this simple act: Try to deliberately envision what your life would be like if this problem didn't exist. How would you feel? What would you be doing? Focus on that feeling. And try doing this "vision" exercise at least three times a day. Because by focusing on "beyond the problem" instead of the present -- you should be able to start attracting the solution to your woes. More about how to do this when you learn "The Secret"

Mistake #3 - Feeding The Depression Monster

Depression is hungry and it needs food to sustain itself in our lives. It definitely prefers the meal of drugs, alcohol and ridiculous amounts of carbohydrates! It also enjoys it if we feed it isolation along with music and/or movies that make us feel sad -- on the side of course:)

Try this simple act: Put your depression monster on a diet. Eliminate drugs, alcohol, and overeating from your life. Ask for help if you need it. Take it in small steps. Stay connected to positive people in your life. If there are none -- then go out and meet some new people. Do something you've never done before. And finally, while popular culture likes to make us believe that listening to sad music and/or movies is what you are supposed to do when you're depressed-- it isn't. Have you ever felt like conquering the world after you listened to a song about heartbreak?

In conclusion, while this is by no means a cure for your depression (particularly a major depressive disorder) -- these are mistakes you can avoid making when trying to create the best atmosphere possible for feeling good again.

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Lisa Angelettie, "GirlShrink" is an online advice authority. Her site GirlShrink.com is the #1 "Advice & Counseling" site on the web and contributing author of "101 Great Ways To Improve Your Life". Instantly get a FREE Bonus when you sign up for her free Better Choices Ezine. Please visit us for more discussion on this topic in the depression forum to talk about it further. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for topics in the news, new articles, website & book reviews, and other useful mental health resources. Subscribe below.