Outside of going to a dr, and getting put on meds, what is a good way of dealing with stress and depression?

Take walks..do things Just for YOU...
Excersise dont sleep more than 8 hours. get out and do things..even if it is just going to gas station for a cup of Java.
Rent funny movies..
Anything to put a smile on your face..
Do take the time to write down what is bugging you and try and figure out how to not let it affect you as much...
Take ALOT of deep breaths!!!
Oh yeah and MUSIC!!!...put a headset on and escape when doing chores etc..it helps... no sappy stuff though.

Talking it out with someone that may have been in or has gone through similar circumstances and has moved on from it.

Try your parents. You may have a hard time believing it, but they have probably "been there and done that".

Stress is caused by the unknown and the "what if's". Depression is caused by exhaustion from the stress and not knowing where to turn and what to do.

Speak with your parents....they may just know how to deal with it.

Running, I got every morning for 1 hour.
Deep breathing and meditate
Eat Healthy and sleep right.
Talk on the phone or meet up with friends, and laugh.
Sex is good for you as well.
Massage, saunas, and swimming.
Being with children or playing with a dog.
Going to the beach, or holiday.
Do small things to make others feel good, like a nice comment, or help a blind person cross the roads, this would make you feel good.
Reads inspirational books.
Go to the movies and watch a comedy, eat popcorn and see other people.
Go to a therapist to talk about your problems.
Write all the feeling in a journal.
Cry or scream
Love yourself by telling yourself how wonderful and special you are.
Drink lots of water.
Remember that sometimes life is senidng you a message, that if you are depressed, it might be telling you to change a direction, you might need change.

The best remedey that I suggest is talking to someone (anybody that will listen and give good advice) such as your a mom, sister, friend ect. This is what I do. I talk to my mom many times a day and tell her all about how my day is, how my kids are acting, how work went, ect. I get everything off my chest. I take time to myself. I take nice bathes in the evenings. Then I put the kids to bed and relax on the couch, watch a good movie, and have my husband massage my legs & feet.

you could try alternative meds, like st johns wort for depression. Or you could try something like yoga or meditation for stress.

Personally i find listening to really loud music helps me deal with stress. It fills your head with noise and doesnt leave any room for worrying/stressful thoughts! works for me!!

Good luck

things that have helped me.
1.http://www.amitaschmidt.com/healingdepre...
2.http://www.louisehay.com/
3. Yoga
4. changing my diet eating whole nutritious foods
5. spiritual practices
6. breath
7. a good naturopath prescribing natural supplements
8.journaling
9. reading inspirational books
10. not attaching to my emotions
11. sessions with intuitive, healers
12 allowing myself to feel my feelings. not stuffing them down inside.
nature
most of all i never have given up on the process of getting better. I still feel heaviness and depression sometimes, but i turn to my tools and it helps
peace

Source(s):
Sylvia Brallier
Katie Byron
Louse Hay

how about "including" seeing a doctor and possibly going on meds? Ask your doctor to recommend a good counselor. if you hate exercise, take long walks or bike rides. make sure you don't eat high sugar a dn junk foods too much. get a good night sleep as ovten as you can. if you have a friend to talk with - you are doubly blessed : )