1. Thinking. When you’re feeling depressed, you’re thinking depressing thoughts. But where do these come from?

2. Language. Your thoughts are made up of language and there is some key language that is connected with depressing thoughts. These are habits developed in childhood that can be changed and will make a major difference in every area of your life. (semantics)

3. Philosophy. Your beliefs and generalizations about the world around you creates rules for how you respond to things in your environment. Your rules about what should be and how you, and the people around you are expected to behave influence the way you feel. This is somewhat related to language, but it goes deeper than that.

4. Physiology and Behavior. As we just saw, your body has a lot to do with the way you feel. The way you hold yourself and the way you move affect the way you feel. How much sleep and exercise you get will also affect your body and therefore you mood. The things you do and the way you engage with others are also a critical components.

5. Triggers. Adverse events that one has learned to associate with the feeling of being depressed. The association can be triggered by a symbol, a sound or even a physical  sensation. Once again, these can be changed.

6. Environment. You’ve probably heard at some point that you’re responsible for your thoughts. Well you’re also responsible for your environment and that includes the TV you watch, the things your read, and the people you hang out with. It also includes your job and your daily routine and activities. Some of the things in your environment either condition you and reinforce your mood, or are the source the triggers as I mentioned before.

7.  Bio/Chemicals. This includes food, alcohol, legal and illegal drugs and nicotine. I will also include here the chemicals that naturally swim around in your brain.