I havent had a major mood episode for a few years, so I havent needed to be too extreme in my coping.

Sleep - The first thing I tend to notice when I am low is fatigue. I have to ensure that I am getting no more than 8 hour sleep a night. If I am that tired during the day I can lay down but for no more than 2 hours. Definitely no more than 10 hours sleep within 24 hours, if I sleep more than that I am just asking for depression

Eating - depending on the level of depression I either eat a lot of sugary carb filled food or I just dont eat at all. I need to make sure I eat 3 times a day at least even if I dont feel like it. I have healthy frozen meals in the freezer for times I do not feel like cooking or preparing. It is a struggle to eat but it does make a difference to me.

Mindfulness - I practice mindfulness daily anyway, but when I am feeling a bit low I feel like I cant be bothered, theres no point etc, but there is. I always feel better after meditating, not always brilliant but always a little bit better.

Isolating - I tend to go into "hermit mode". I sit in my little hobbit hole of a house and stay inside alone all day. This is when I reach out to my support network. Call out to a mates that I am going into hermit mode and I need help to get out of it. Usually it results in invitations out to coffee, parties, just general socialising. I dont always enjoy these things but they are vital to keeping me out of dark depression.

Sunshine - When I am on the way down, as much as it is scary and hard to be outside, I really try to spend time in the sunshine, I am so blessed to live in a place with simply beautiful weather. I try to go out and read a book or just sit with the animals. Even if it is for 10 minutes it is better than nothing. Vitamin D!

Distraction - when I do get distressed, distraction is the very best technique for me. This is when the internet comes in handy. I chat to people or look at funny pictures. If my concentration is up for it I might research something I am interested in. The information doesnt tend to stay with me but I like to think it is doing some good. Online memory games etc are good distractions too.

Therapy/journaling - I do a lot of journaling, CBT and my own forms of therapy. It helps me sort the thoughts, what are negative and unhelpful/untrue thoughts and what are helpful and constructive thoughts. I find positive affirmations for every negative thought and repeat these to myself throughout the day when the thought pops up. This is difficult especially on the way down but it does help me. My journal is very constructive for me.

Self Nurture - I still have trouble with this from time to time. Finding something I truly enjoy when I am down is not an easy feat. Sometimes my self nurture is as simple as using hand cream, taking time to nurture my body. When I can afford it, I might go get a massage, get my hair done or get a facial. Otherwise I will do my own nails, or go for a horseride.

Exercise - another one I struggle with from time to time. I try to get on the bike at the very least for 5 minutes a day. As much as it feels to hard to do when I am depressed, it is important. I rarely notice an improvement in my mood or anything but my body does feel better for it.

Routine - a lot of this stuff is all in my daily routine, I need to make sure I dont fall out of my routine. Up and outside first thing every morning, the sunlight helps me wake up, then breaky, meds, my daily activity (work/socialising/horseriding), shower, dinner, meds, bed. Very simple but hard to keep when I am low.

Be Kind to myself - This is probably the hardest! I critisize myself a lot when I am low, its hard not to do! But when I notice I am being mean to myself, I think "would I say this to someone else?" the answer is always no. I need to comfort and support myself as I would a friend.

Hope this has been helpful, it has for me! I hope to look back on this post next time my mood starts to drop so I can see where I am going wrong.