What are some ways to help with depression besides medication.?

Question

I am coming to terms with the idea that I am depressed. Not in a non-functioning way, but in a end of the day when I am alone, the smile comes of and I feel hopeless kind of way. I work out regularly, in fact I teach fitness, and that has always helped me feel great. It is not doing the trick right now...except that it is the one thing that makes me proud at the moment. My boyfriend who I really for the first time in my life believed was the one for me is going through some legal and financial issues that are making him miserable, and making me feel completely out of control of the outcome of our relationship and lives together. My full time job is going through stressful times that I have no control over, and I am functioning, but not happily. I do not want to medicate myself, I think I am stronger than this slump, but don't know what to do. I am aware that my life is not so bad. I literally could walk away from all this stress if I want to and that makes me feel okay, but...

I just can't seem to beat this hopeless feeling...particularly at nighttime when my emotions are so high. Anyone have any advice or positive life outlooks to help, I want to feel better.

Answer 1

You could do as I did. I was depressed for nearly five years. Ended up in the hospital for 72 hours on suicide watch. Doctors and meds were useless. Finally a friend gave me a book that taught me a whole new way to think... literally. It saved my life from certain doom.
The book:
http://www.seekwellness.com/bookstore/books/book65.htm

My story:
http://www.geocities.com/seabulls69/AntidepressantThatWorks.html

Answer 2

I can honestly say I feel the exact same way right now and have been for about 2-3 weeks straight. I am very involved in fitness, and I also have a job as a trainer for overweight children and that always seemed to put a smile on my face. Anyways, it seems like your situation is causing you your depression, at least you know that your boyfriend and your job are putting stress on you and that is not helping. What you could try doing is talking to your boyfriend about it, he might be feeling the same way (due to the stress in his life as well) and take some time off together, or even workout together, yoga anything...or if he is not into oing anything dont let that get you down as well, do something you love...at least once a day (preferably before you get home from work because this is when you tend to get emotional) try a PM yoga class or meditate at night...its funny how you can give good advice to someone in the same situtation as you, but you ask others for the same advice your giving someone righ now...

Answer 3

Well if you know the answer isn't to crawl into a bottle of booze or pills, you are doing pretty good already.
You need to hang out with different people if your boyfriend is dragging you down, go help cheer up some kinds, help put some sunshine in other people's lives and you should feel better. Find a good book, listen to some music from happier times, etc. It's Christmas, ther emust be some cheer and goodtimes out ther eyou can enjoy without spending a lot of money. Look for teh silver lining, besides the best things in life are free, maybe you need to get your boyfriend to focus on that? You are going to have a hard time in life if you can't be there to help each other through life's rough patches, this could just be a test of your relationship?

Answer 4

Take a walk to see the Sun rise and Sunset each morning and evening regularly for half an hour but on holidays increase it to two hours

Answer 5

Sound like it may be a seasonal disorder. Get or go where there is more sunshine.

Answer 6

hmm, i know a great stress reliever, its called WeeD! it makes you glee-so if ure ever in need just take a hit and feel ..good

Answer 7

Talk therapy. You can vent and they can try to make you see the good.

Answer 8

There's nothing you can do about it so STFU and deal with it, you coward.

Answer 9

sex