Hello starrysky: I'm not sure why, but I keep writing this over-&-over, here on PC, lately. Many years ago, my father used to say: "You're not required to like it. You're just required to do it." I have taken this as my mantra. You asked about healthy ways to cope with depression. I don't know if this could be considered healthy. But I simply do not allow myself to countenance the possibility that, not doing something that needs to be done, could be an option. It seems as though once I make myself get going on whatever it is I have to do, it's okay. Sometimes I even enjoy it!