7 Surprising things that makes your depression even worse

6. Whether you light up

Everyone knows that smoking is bad for you, but if you suffer from depression, smoking can worsen your symptoms. According to a study in the BMJ, smokers who quit felt less depressed and had a more positive mood and quality of life compared to those who kept lighting up.

Kim attributes the difference to the up-and-down mood swings caused by nicotine addiction. “Nicotine has some calming and focusing effects, but withdrawal may cause irritability and anxiety,” she says.