Now that the clocks have been turned back the days feel very short.  Darkness will fall earlier everyday until December 21st, then the days start getting longer.  This time of year many of us (including myself) start to feel the winter blues.  The past few years I have made a few changes to help me from feeling the effects of SAD (seasonal affective disorder).   Here are a couple of tips as part of my anxiety therapy!

One of the ways to manage your depression is to challenge your negative thinking with positive statements and realistic thinking. When encountering thoughts that make your fearful or depressed, challenge those thoughts by asking yourself questions that will maintain objectivity and common sense.

The effectiveness of CBT for various psychological problems has been more extensively researched than any other psychotherapeutic approach and its reputation as a highly effective treatment is growing, for example several studies have shown that CBT is more effective than medication alone in treating anxiety and depression. Studies also shows that people who use CBT to overcome problems such as depression and anxiety, stay better for longer periods and that they are less likely to relapse.

For many people who suffer from depression, or stress or anxiety, the only way to find relief is by taking antidepressants. Sometimes they help, often they don't. Here's five more effective but wholly natural ways you can use to help you lift the fog of a depressive episode.

Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly those found in certain fish oil preparations, exhibit tremendous mood stabilization effects.

Today, there are many ways of treating depression. In most cases, the symptoms of depression can be controlled to a manageable level or cured completely by one or more therapies.

Many times, prescription drugs are the first line of treatment and this often becomes an obstacle in the patient's road to health and empowerment. In the extreme, it can lead to addiction and more problems than the patient started out with.

Over 20 million adults in the U.S. are suffering from depression, and many of them have explored the use of antidepressant medication to help alleviate their symptoms. Not all people who suffer from depression choose to use medication; oftentimes, therapy alone is enough to successfully treat the condition. But those who do are faced with a variety of options -- including herbal ones.

The right type and dosage of a prescription medication can sometimes meet with success for a patient, but many experience side effects that outweigh the benefits. In order to avoid these, more and more people are deciding instead to explore natural remedies for depression.

Many dedicated exercisers say they work out not just for their body, but also for their mind. In our high-stress society, slamming tennis balls, shooting hoops or stepping out for a walk are all socially acceptable ways to relieve tension and adjust attitude--just as Grandma knew when she advised taking out your anger on the woodpile.