Hospital is never fun but it has saved my life, thought I would jot down a few things that have helped me -

Meditation - Lately I have been really strict with meditating and deep breathing everyday, it has made a difference to my overall health. I feel calmer (most of the time) after meditating

Mindfulness - being involved completely in my tasks. Living in the moment and not letting anything interfer with that

Being active - This is one I am struggling with at the moment but really trying hard to change it, I have a full week this week with events and friends. I hate socialising when I am low, but being on my own is not beneficial to me. I dont feel like I have the energy when I am depressed, so I do short stints on the bike and spend as much time outside as I can. Even a little bit every day helps with healing.

Committing to something - having someone rely on you. Im a member of a local support group. That small commitment of a few hours a week helps me when I get really low, these people rely on my support and friendship, all the more reason to live. A pet is also a great commitment, makes you get out of bed every day, gives you someone to talk to.

Check your diet - when I am low my diet is crap - lots of carbs and sugar, it does NOT help my mood. Fresh fruit and vegies, healthy recipes can help. I find it easy to be mindful when cooking.

I have many more coping strategies I use personally but those are just a few things to try. I know how hopeless it feels after a long depression stint, and how hard it is to do some of these things. But I talk myself through a lot of it "its just one hour of doing this or that, I can handle that" etc. It can feel really hard, unbearable at times, but I just see it all as steps to recovery. Part of my treatment plan. Depression really sucks.