What if you have depression but don't need to see a doctor yet. How can you improve your light depression symptoms at home? Don't say some type of pill, because I would want to go through a doctor before I take any kind of supliment.

Just make sure that you take time out to do things that you like take a bath a walk read a book

Cold Therapy- Very gradually, expose yourself briefly to cooler and cooler air or water, but never so cold that you shiver, let alone freeze. Eventually you'll be able to enjoy a brief ( as little as a few minutes), bracing cold water swim, shower, or bath ( " cold air bath") every day.

Light Therapy- Any bright light source. The sun is the ultimate light therapist. one to three hours a day.

Rest Care- Catching some extra sleep at night or napping during the day could be all the sleep therapy you need.

Working Out- Dozens of studies have shown that sustained, vigorous physical activity, aerobic exercise, is like a bug repellant against negativity: fear, anger, worry, tension.

Massage: Massage is soothing and revitalizing. Objectively, it relaxes muscles, reduces heart rate and blood pressure and improves circulation.

Meditation- Meditation, some therapists report, can be very helpful for people who suffer chronically from mild depression.

Writing as therapy- Writing is a tool to probe people's darkest thoughts and feelings, and feel better for it. Write your hurts out. Pick a personal subject that's so hot you may have trouble just thinking about it. Write about it for at least 15 minutes with your heart and your head, feeling and thinking your way through. Letters from the edge: Here's your chance to speak your mind to a significant other, to loose that long-bitter tongue, in a letter you'll never send. Points of view: Select an important personal issue you're confused or conflicted about. Write about it from the point of view of the conflicting persons or part of yourself.

Aromatherapy- " The way to health is to have an aromic bath and scent massage every day." at Duke University, pain has been relieved by the scent of a peach. at Yale, the smell of apples and spices has been deeply relaxing, lavender mildly alerting and other scents have appeared to curb hunger, ease pain and relieve depression.

I know you said you didn't want to try any supplements ( they are all over the counter) but here are a few just in case you change you mind:

St. John's Wort- St. John's Wort contains a chemical named hypercin which, like some antidepressant drugs, in an MAO inhibitor.

5HTP- Studies suggest that tryptophan is an antidepressant. in 6 out of 7 studies, tryptophan has performed about equally with antidepressant drugs againt major depression.

SAM-E- in over a dozen controlled clinical trials, mostly in Europse, a parental (injectable) form of SAM has been studied. Investigators report that when SAM was pitted double-blind against other antidepressant treatments (mainly drugs), it " was generaly noted to be equally or more effective to produce an earlier response ( often within 3 to 7 days) with fewer side effects.

Also Magnesium and Vitamin B as well as many others have been proven to be effective.

Hope I helped you in some way.

watch some comedy movies or play some board games…slightly entertainment that can cheer you up.

The first answer is a very good one. this has been my experience in the past as I have had a lot of depression in my life. I have gone through many hardships but with God's help through prayers to Him, he has led me to the right scriptures, godly friends to help pray for me. AND exercise does help a lot too. You don't give many details, like are you alone at home? It could be that you are alone too much. But one thing for sure, having a relationship with God through his son Jesus cannot be beat for whatever you are needing.

i highly recommend working out. Cardiovascular exercise has been shown to significantly increase elevated mood via endorphins, which are hormones released through vigorous exercise and exertion. Try working out 2-3 times a week for atleast 30 minutes..not only will you improve your body, but your mind too! also, try meditation, relaxing breathing, or eating more fruits and vegetables (the nutrients in healthy foods can be very good for mood elevation)..good luck!

exercise really helps me. It releases endorphins. I bought a treadmill. also, prayer and Bible reading, meditation. this may sound silly, but pets help too. like if you don't have one, try a dog or cat.

I've found exercise and sun seem to help … I also take an off-the-shelf multivitamin for good measure.

keep a journal (I use my livejournal on the internet) to sort out all your thoughts and get some things off your chest. also exercise and just have fun. take your mind off of what makes you unhappy, its not easy you have to work at it.

See ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris on page 2: depression treatments.

If you possibly can, go see a doctor. many depressives underestimate how depressed they are.

Exercise releases natural endorphins. Light helps in some cases (so a nice walk or jog at dawn might really help make your day go better). be sure you are getting a good diet with enough calories and enough vitamins and minerals.

You could also try volunteering — sometimes it helps a great deal to help others (even animals — you could volunteer at the pound). It takes your mind off things, and you get a boost when your efforts help someone else feel better.

Feng Shui people say depressed people typically have a lot of clutter, especially at low levels (on the floor). (-: believe me, cleaning up clutter is a lot of hard work! But it might be worth the effort — at least you will feel a sense of accomplishment, and won't be tripping over things.

Try to improve your surroundings with bright, happy colors, pictures of people smiling and other things that make you smile.

And fake it with a smile. and a fake laugh — they say it often turns into the real thing, which boosts your spirits with more endorphins.

Good luck — depression is tough.

I have been on a low dosage of anti-depressants for the last 6 years but in conjunction with my medication I started doing more exercise.
Exercising releases Endorphins in the brain which make you feel happy, relaxed, etc. I took up running and bought a punching bag. Both are great forms of exercise but are also healthy ways to relieve stress from the body. If you don't already then try and eat non processed, healthy and natural foods and take a multi vitamin. Once your body is a bit healthier it can help with the symptoms.
I hope this has helped you

I'd say exercise. If you're not a runner, maybe you should start. have good running shoes, and start slowly; maybe 10 minutes. Every day add 5 minutes, till you're up to 30 minutes, or as long as makes you feel good. I hope this helps you. You're very smart not to medicate yourself. Your doctor would have to hear all your symptoms so he'd know which med to give you. there are a lot of different anti-depression meds out there now. Hope the exercise helps. good luck.