1. First, you have to ask yourself, “Does this feeling originate from yourself or from others?” It may be a combination of both. If the depression is self-inflicted, you can explore the cause of the depression yourself, or you can ask a professional for help. If the depression is not self-inflicted, make sure you identify its root cause. For example, if you just saw a play and returned home from the theater feeling sullen, you may have been infected by the depressed mood of the audience sitting next to you. Energy fields overlap when people are in close contact. The same situation may occur in the scene of a small concert with a large crowd. 2. If the situation permits, keep your distance from the person suspected of being the source of the depression. Walk at least 20 feet away from the person and see if you can relax. Don’t be afraid to take action for fear of offending a stranger. If you feel depressed in a public place, you should not hesitate to change your seat. 3. Take a few minutes to focus on your breathing to stabilize your mind. This will allow you to connect more closely with your true nature. Exhale depression and inhale calmness. Stick to the closed meditations and breathing meditations you have learned to do. Imagine that depression is like a mist drifting away from you and hope is like a million rays of sunshine shining down. This will soon be effective. 4. Shift the energy in your body. Depression usually stagnates in your emotional energy center —— solar plexus. Place your palm on the solar plexus and slowly inject compassion into it to flush out the depression from it. For long-standing feelings of depression, keep using this method daily to strengthen this area. This will not only make you feel comfortable, but will also enhance your sense of security and optimism. 5. Look for a hopeful interpersonal environment. Call on a friend who can see the good in others. Spend some time with a colleague who can see the positive side of things. Listen to the voices of hopeful people and see how confident they are in others as well as themselves. Savor the language, poetry and art forms that are full of hope. Hope is contagious and it will lift your mood.