Like it or not, feeling sad and hopeless is often a part of life.  It affects just about every man and woman at some point in his or her life. Depression is a state of low mood. When folks are down in the dumps, they avoid activity. They experience sadness, anxiousness, emptiness, guilt, irritability and/or restlessness.

A disheartened individual tends to lose interest in things that used to induce pleasure. That individual may also lose his or her appetite, overeat, or have trouble concentrating and making decisions. Health problems that may occur because of depression include fatigue, insomnia, a loss of energy, aches and pains and excessive sleeping, as well as digestive problems. A worst case scenario for depression is a suicide attempt.

Fortunately, you can now practice a smart diet in order to fight off depression. Fish oils are made up of omega-3 fatty acids that have been proven to decrease sadness, anxiety, sleep disorders and suicidal thoughts. Fish oils found in walnuts and fish, such as tuna and salmon, lower cholesterol and improve cardiovascular health.

Plenty of vitamins B1, B3, and folic acid are found in brown rice. The low-glycemic food releases glucose into the body to keep our moods stable. Brown rice is also a high-fiber food that provides several trace minerals that we can use on a daily basis.

Cabbage is high in vitamin C and folic acid. The vegetable has been shown to decrease stress, infection and fight against heart disease. Cabbage can be consumed in a variety of methods, from salads and lettuce wraps to soups and juices. In fact, cabbage's raw juice has become a famous cure for stomach ulcers. It's essential for anyone to eat right in order to get and stay in a good mood. Besides, these foods are ideal for fast weight loss, healthy diets and strong hearts.

There are also a handful of foods that you should avoid if you are feeling down-in-the-dumps. Besides the obvious depressant alcohol, folks feeling low about themselves should stay away from foods that are high in fat and sugar. Avoid consuming serotonin-suppressing caffeine, as well as sweets in general. Foods like white rice and white bread cause blood sugar to shoot up, and end up flooding the body with insulin.

There are also some drugs to avoid when feeling depressed. Commonly used drugs on the market, including antibiotics, barbiturates, amphetamines and a variety of pain killers can all add to the negative effects of depression. These drugs have been shown to work against the body's powerful vitamins and minerals that combat depression.

On top of eating right, there are a few simple and healthy activities to dealing with despair. First, an unhappy individual should soak up plenty of sunshine. After all, studies have shown that natural sunlight helps squash depression in folks of all ages. Exercise is another beneficial method to fight against depression. Working out your body at least three times a week lifts your overall mood and positively alters brain activity. Laughter is also a superb method to get over depression.