Depression help without meds?

My go-to activity when I'm feeling depressed id to try and encourage others. (I was disabled by a stroke, and I have very limited mobility.)

It gives me something positive to do, helps others, and typically reflects positively back on me.
I have a video about this on my YouTube channel:

Good luck! There are ways to deal with depression besides medication, I've found.

Hi @dorma
Have a naturopathic doctor in your area they can help you. I was on 5-HTP for depression for years it's a supplement and it really does work but they would need to tell you what dose to start at you can buy it at a health food store. After my breast cancer surgery and radiation and being taken off hormones I got bad depression and anxiety so I had to go on a medication prior to that the 5-HTP worked very well for me. Hope this helps

Good advice and video.

I find people just light up when I pay them a compliment as simple as "You look so pretty today!".

Good point. At least at my age, suggesting exercise is easy, but for so many, just not practical.

@heyjoe415
Do you have a YMCA close? May I suggest water aerobics? I live in a community that has an indoor lap pool heated. The Del Webb community offers water aerobics 5 days a week.

Many of the participants have disabilities and find doing exercise in water removed the weight and balance issues with their disability. There is one lady who has MS and no use of her left leg. In the water she says I am weightless and can move around like I don't have a disability.

Others have serious walking issues, those recovering from hip or knee surgery and those like me that just love doing exercise to music.

For many exercise is just not for them. I have many times on MCC to suggest hobbies to reduce stress and anxiety. I posted many times about FDR (I read non-fiction) working on his stamp collection during WWII as it brought him so much joy and an escape from the stress he was under. He also swam at Whitehouse pool and travled to warm springs in GA. to swim. It gave (swimming) mobility.

Finding a hoppy that you like doing can really help. It does not have to be exercise.

The mental and physical inertias are not our friends. They work against our well-being.
The two recent long-distance swimming movies got me from 250 yards to a mile every other day. Each time, I have to get over that hurdle to veg. Just Do It ✔️.
I book the appt. and go on auto pilot. No turning back. Relax into it on the first lap (almost womb-like). It is transcendent, meditative, and calming. The effects of the endorphins last for hours.
I am 77 with a long list of ailments, but swimming is the ray of light 🏊‍♂️.

But...I cannot swim! UGH!! I will be 82 in 3 weeks, so I can't picture me learning now. But the water exercises would be great for me, IF I can just make myself go.