How do you treat depression without usein meds?

Like i get really depressed but i dont want to get meds....HELP??

There are many things to try.
Get just the right amount of sleep, not too much or too little. Shoot for 6-8 hours per day, and STICK TO A FIRM SLEEP ROUTINE, meaning go to bed around the same time each night.
Get lots of excercise...this can greatly affect your mood.
Spend as much time outside as possible. Sunlight is a great mood enhancer.
Cut down on things in your life that cause excess stress. This is a skill that takes time to learn, but everyone has things or people in their lives that could be simplified.
Avoid sugar and simple carbs. Many people feel they get highs and then corresponding lows from them.
Limit time on the computer and watching TV. Studies have shown them to lead to depression in certain people.
Take time to spend with friends and family, or get involved in an activity where you'll meet more people.
Get a cat or dog.
Get involved in something you really belive in. Having a mission really helps focus your energies. This could be taking painting lessons, joining a choir, getting involved with a charitable organization, volunteering at a hospital, etc etc.
Spend as little time as possible in rooms with no windows. If your office or cubicle has no windows, make sure you make plenty of trips past whatever windows you have access to, and go outside during lunch.

Hope this helps a little!

All the advice above is great but I've been fighting depression without meds for years. For me, I feel like I have a hole ( metaphor people...lol) inside me, a deep dark, black hole. The thing you need to do is fill that hole up. Fill it with sports, learning, Friends, whatever you really like to do. Above all remember that the world is beautiful!

Well, I treated my depression by few things.
I watch a lot of comedy ( movies, tv shows, online stupid funny videos)
I treat myself every now and then with good food (whenever I can afford it)
By myself good clothes.
Taking long walks (especially in the greener areas)
Surrounded by friends.

No meds or drugs.. I hope it helps.

theres a good book i was advised to read by my counselor its called MIND OVER MOOD,buy it in waterstones. helped me allot. exercise is good, healthy eating and thinking positively ,also having good friends and family helps allot. and if you feel you need to talk to someone privately with out family and friends knowing then i suggest a counselor. hope that helps

moderate physical activity, daily. try going for a brisk walk or a light bike ride or a swim.

your body makes chemicals when you exercise and they flow throught your blood and make you feel better. that is how people run these ultra-marathons (60 miles) and they feel ok. then they stop running at the finish and every joint in their bodies is sore.

it depends on how bad the depression is. in minor cases working out can help allot. but if you have highs @ lows like myself that are extreme you could be bipolar.meds are the only answer.or u may spend half ur life self medicating because u just want to feel normal. depression is a serious problem @ very common in the states

Exercise is great for depression . Also , get yourself into a routine . Wake at the same time every morning , do your typical chores , don't sleep more than you really need to . Make yourself get out and spend time with friends and family .

Hope that helps ! : )

Sometimes meds are the best alternative. It isnt that bad, at first I was worried people would call me crazy, but nobody had to know. It was better than being sad all the time. Counseling helps a lot too, they will give you better ideas than anybody else could.

u know in some foriegn countries, you never hear of mental disorders like depression. try moving there like el salvador or brazil. I think it has to do with the lifestyles (friends are important there...more than money like here, and the diet is better)

make an effort to make changes
AND REWARD YURSELF FOR YOUR EFFORTS
in the healthiest of ways
be happy that you want to make changes, its fun to "reinvent" yourself and your attitudes
read good books, philosophy is good if you can handle it

workout, eat healthy and have vitamins! and the most important is to have a good amount of sleep... if you don't have the correct mind set though you wont get anywhere! make sure you consult a doctor if nothing works.. don't worry you will get through it.

exercise. punching stuff is prolly the best thing to do and from some point of view its pretty exciting.

fish oil pills (which are usually for high cholestoral) help with it. its not really a med, its a supplement.

You should see a therapist or holistic healer. They'll both konw alternative methods, but I therapist can also teach you techniques to overcome it as well.

i really don't use medicine but about my depression i only pout that and just pout just think this is blessing because after this you can still go outside after the rain

workout
eat healthy + lots of veggies
drink plenty of water
get fresh air
get good rest
take vitamins
be close with friends/family
write your feelings in a journal every day
do hobbies you like

try yoga or go running, running cures everything! listen to really upbeat music, or eat icecream!

get your self out for a walk. or something to get your mind off of your depression. exercise, ect.

Be more active, get regular exercise.

Go to a therapist or cousular.

Do something really fun!

eat healthy
walk (releases endorphins), do something you love, talk to someone

walk around in the sun. write down the things you like about your life.

make regular exercise
meet new people
don't eat unhealthy food
don't stay at home for all day long....

yes execise is one of the best things i know of becuse if you do it enough you'll be to tired

Go out for a walk, and think about how lucky you are . . . . to be You!