DD, hi...
I fought for a long time about taking meds. Finally agreed to a trial run, and felt so much better so I stayed on them.
Because of my physical limitations, walking is my best exercise for right now. It is beneficial and does ease my rough days.

Eat right...I pass on this one because I think a can of Hershey syrup should be a food group!
Seriously, cutting way down on sugary products helps me. I also stay away from artificial sweetners.

Meditation...took me awhile but finally felt comfortable doing it.
Music is of great help to me. I listen to a variety of genre's and it either relaxes me or energizes me.

Nature is my biggest healer. Not in the "wide-open space" type thing...trying to be aware of the beauty of the small things. I missed so much before by concentrating on sunsets that I missed the birds coming in for their evening feed.
One of my neatest things happened some time ago. It looked like a weed, but something told me not to cut it down. It grew into the most beautiful bush I've seen...translucent white flowers with the most unusual odor and leaves were a shade of green I've not seen since.
It lasted for several months until a severe thunderstorm literally blew it away.

Keeping in touch with others...here at PC is at the top of the list. I am part of a program that makes daily calls to the homebound, usually the elderly without any family left and they are living alone.
Those few minutes on the phone does me a world of good.

Watching funny movies...others also but I concentrate on comedy. Ever see, "The Gods Must Be Crazy?" part one. it's a simple little movie but it makes me laugh...so does A Dog's Breakfast...

Journaling also helps me. It gets some of my feelings out, and that is good. It also keeps me in a somewhat structured mode. I promised myself I would do it every day. When I'm depressed, it gives me something to look forward to doing that I feel so I feel some control.

I do have one rule I honor...
When I get so depressed that I have to convince myself to get out of bed to go to the loo--I get into an outpatient treatment center or I'll go inpatient if necessary.

sorry for the ramble
thank you for bringing it up...it made me focus on the many things I can do to battle the depression when it hits me hard.

Catherine