Ways to manage (mild) depression without medication?

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What ways do people on here manage depression (mild depression)? I have always had depression since I was a young child I think (my mother has several MH issues so I think it may be the way I was bought up that has conditioned me to have depression). It is a mild depression but on bad days I just cannot be bothered to do anything apart from making sure we are all safe and fed and watered and get to bed on time. Which I know is good but I want a better quality of life for my children than what I had. So far I have researched these things that might help me, have I missed anything?

• Routine
• Healthy eating including oily fish once a week, drink enough water etc.
• Exercise (I think I can manage a walk once a day with DC, not sure if I should do more than this though, I'm not sure I could motivate myself to do anything other than walking though, even that seems like an effort!)
• Activities for the DC (I get fed up doing painting and stuff though because of having to clean up the mess and we do not have a garden so not sure what activities I may enjoy doing with the DC? - They are 3 years and a 4 month old baby).

I can go weeks without feeling depressed and then it can just hit me for several days at a time, I am thinking if I can keep my life consistent and healthy it may help?

Green veg helps some. Also not watching to much upsetting stuff, and comedy is good.I would have a look on search for past threads on this.

I would keep a diary to see if there is a pattern. Pre menstral tension may be playing a part.

I try to get outside every day, even on horrendous weather days. As it makes me feel better.

I don't watch the news, read the paper or watch any soaps! As I can get too emotionally involved and they are always so negative.

I change my diet over year ago, and my depression seems to be much rarer and for shorter periods of time!

Also I am trying a new thing, which is when I get up I think of three things I am happy about (even small things). And when I go to bed I try to think of three things I am happy I achieved today. These can be small things Ie I am happy that I read my children a bedtime story, I am happy I didn't lose my temper with the boys when the were being constantly naughty in Sainsburys and I am happy I cleaned the kitchen before I went to bed, so its nice for me in the morning. Small things but I realise I have achieved things which when I am a sahm can get lost! It gives me self worth.

Ps. go to Mother and Toddlers, when you want to do messy things with the children or Hobbycraft. You don't have to clear up on your own then!

Trish5000 Thanks that's a good idea to keep a diary and see if there is a pattern.

Angrybudda thats a brilliant idea to do the messy play somewhere else, I will see if there is anything close to me as I do not drive.

I am trying to do the 3 things each day on the other thread, I think it is helping already as I feel 'accountable' to achieve 3 things a day which is great otherwise I would be tempted to just lounge on the sofa all day watching cbeebies and feeling rubbish. Brill idea to think of 3 things to be grateful for in the morning to help with getting out of bed and 3 things I achieved at the end of the day. I am going to do this every day.

See your friends. In particular hang around with uplifting ones / those you can be honest with, not ones who bring you down or make you feel inadequate.

Get out of the house. Go to as many toddler groups/actvities as you can. These things can seem like torture but it's how I made friends kept sane and it's fun for the DCs.

Read and watch light-hearted, funny books and films. It might sound corny but laughter and people really help me.

It's hard with young ones but if you can do something more vigorous like going for a bike ride, run or proper swim it can work wonders.

I take 5HTP at night and vitamin B supplements and if it's getting bad I take ST John's Wort.

Thanks castlesintheair