Article: As your friend begins to feel better, keep your friend moving beyond depression by planning some fun outings. Choose activities that you both enjoy and make plans to do those things so that your friend will always have something to look forward to. Plan to go to the movies together, go on a weekend hike, or have coffee together. Just make sure that you do not pressure your friend into doing anything that he or she is not ready to do. Be patient and persistent. Laughter is known as the best medicine for a reason. Recent studies have shown that laughter helps to alleviate the symptoms of depression and make people who are depressed feel more connected to others. You probably know what makes your friend laugh better than anyone else does, so make sure that you use that knowledge laugh with them on a regular basis. Make sure that you only use humor in appropriate situations. If your friend is opening up to you or crying, you might not want to tell a joke at that moment. Do not be discouraged or feel inadequate if your friend does not laugh. Sometimes it is very hard to feel anything at all, even good things, but this will hopefully get better with time. Just because your friend is feeling better does not mean that he or she is cured. Depression is episodic, which means that it often comes back. It is common for people who have depression to suffer from multiple bouts of depression over a lifetime. If your friend appears to be sinking back into depression, ask them what's going on. Say something like, "I noticed you seem very tired lately. When did you start feeling this way?" Offer your help the same way that you did before and continue to encourage your friend as you have been. Helping a friend who is battling depression is hard work. To make sure that you do not suffer an emotional crisis, you will need to take very good care of yourself as well. Make sure that you set aside at least 30 minutes each day that is just for you. Use that time to focus on your needs, pamper yourself, or just to do something that you want to do. Make sure that whatever you do nurtures your physical, spiritual, and/or emotional needs. Some ways that you can use this time include: take a yoga class take a bubble bath read a book journal about your thoughts and feelings meditate or pray go for a walk or bike ride spend time with other people who can help support and encourage you as you help your friend with depression
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Plan some fun outings together. Laugh with your friend. Watch for recurrences of depression symptoms. Take care of yourself.