Are you depressed? By definition, it is not sad or low mood, but rather “depressed affect” or lack of affect. Not sad, not mad, not happy – just flat. In this state, it is difficult to care about anything. What is the antidote? The five pillars are: sleep, outside time daily, exercise weekly, social connection, and healthy diet. Make small moves like going for a walk every day, take vitamin D, go swimming, and reduce alcohol consumption. These can go a long way. If you can’t pull yourself out of your depression, counselling and medication can help too.