"Doing yourself out" of negative moods doesn't work either - as it just temporarily distracting, but not resolving inner pain.
So the best solution I found is dealing with feelings and emotions directly. The way it works as follows:
When you feeling down/negative/depressed - locate exactly in your body where you feel these feelings. Usually they occupy areas of abdomen, chest and sometimes back, neck or larger areas. Once located - start watching/observing these areas. As masters say - shed the light of your conscious attention to your feelings, without any attempt to change them or get rid of them. At the same time - and it's important - start consciously breathing and follow your breathing.
So the practice is - watch your feelings exactly where they are and following your breathing.
This will start dissolving emotional pain directly without any thinking. This technique helped me a lot.
ACTION PLAN:
First, please consider taking a three minutes breathing space. Pay attention to your breathing and focus on your body sensation. Just pay attention.
Second, read this letter:
To the depressed self,
You worked so hard in every aspect of your life. You have always tried hard in school, tried hard to be a good girlfriend and to be a good friend. You are always very grateful of the support and encouragement your friends have given you. I understand that life can be tough sometimes. You may not always be successful in school and in your relationship. But you really have tried. That is really all it matters. You should not always blame yourself.
Remember your high school teacher, all your friends and family, they really don't want see you being sad like this.
Remember your high school teacher said "Guys come and go. You really don't need to worry about it." "You are a special young lady. You are brilliant and, more importantly, a truly kind person. I will miss you but know you will onto great things at UBC. Don’t ever doubt that you are a capable student and a wonderful person."
Friends said: 1) "How you feel don't count. What you do matters." 2) "Focus on the present. Don't put too much expectations for the future." 3) "Everything will be alright. You will be fine."
Please remember to be a kind, encouraging, understanding person. Please don't say things that will hurt others feelings. Please tolerate others' differences. Please look at things from other people's perspectives. Please do not give up when you just fail once. As long as you do all those, you should not have any regret. You are a strong person who has already overcome many difficulties. Please don't doubt yourself and don't give up.
From the undepressed self.
Third, do a sitting/body scan (AKA MINDFULLNESS MEDITATION).
FOURTH, MOST IMPORTANTLY! IF YOU HAVE TIME, CONSIDER TO GO FOR A RUN!
Sometimes I go fishing during the weekday (and take the laptop to work from the pier), or work on cars. Point is I don't let myself think much about being down. The more you think about it the more down you get. Just pull yourself up, force a smile (you will eventually smile for real), and do something.
More excersise. http://www.livestrong.com/article/323907-lack-of-exercise-de...
Rent a jet-ski
If I'm feeling down, which can lead to depression, I notice my thoughts orient to going over events that I found embarrassing all the way back to my childhood. They also revolve around thoughts about missed opportunities, breakups with old girlfriends, etc.
All of this self analysis only takes a couple of minutes for me once I realize I'm in a state of mind I don't like being in. Self recognition is the first major and important step.
Once I've cataloged why I'm feeling down, then usually the first step is just to take a deep breath. Extra oxygen does wonders to help clear the mind. From there, it can vary.
I'll usually turn around what had me depressed in my head and look at it from other angles. That girlfriend? Remember the crap she did that made me want to part company. That embarrassing situation? Realize it was only embarrassing to me and that no one else noticed, or think about what I did and internalize why I shouldn't do that again. You basically want to objectively analyze the things that are getting you down and find their silver linings.
A very practical thing that I've done numerous times is to look at http://cuteoverload.com. Simply doing something that causes my brain to release endorphins immediately is INCREDIBLY helpful.
I'm not a very active physical person, i.e. I don't exercise anywhere near as much as I should. However, lots of you folks are active and so exercise is another great alternative. Go for a run, or just take a walk. Get yourself out of whatever physical surroundings you're in and just go somewhere else. Doesn't matter where. Back when I was in my early 20s and could run a couple miles without breaking a sweat, I loved the euphoria you get from physical exercise. Too bad I don't have an addictive personality. It would have really helped me stay in shape. =)
Hope some of this helps.