A 1999 study on exercise in the elderly reported that after 26 weeks, exercise was as effective as antidepressants. Either brief periods of intense training or prolonged aerobic workouts can raise chemicals in the brain, such as endorphins, adrenaline, serotonin, and dopamine, that produce the so-called runner's high. Rhythmic aerobic and yoga exercises help combat stress and anxiety. And, of course, weight loss and increased muscle tone can boost self-esteem. A strong network of social support is both important for prevention and recovery from depression.
Studies indicate that people with strong spiritual faiths have a lower risk for depression.
Such faith does not require an organized religion. People with depression might find solace from less structured sources, such as those that teach meditation or other methods for obtaining spiritual self-fulfillment. Arch Gen Psychiatry. Dietary supplements and natural products as psychotherapeutic agents. J Affect Disord.