Another thing that we can do to fight depression "naturally" (and know that I am not against medication.......If you need it take it! but there are some other things that you can do to increase your happy hormones and help yourself) is EXERCISE!!! oh, that word again!
Studies have shown that exercise can help decrease the Cortisol level in the brain. Cortisol is one of the neurotransmitters in the brain that cause us to feel sad and depressed. We need it! but not as much as depression sufferers seem to have! From what I have read weight resistance exercise together with "mild" cardio is the best way to decrease the cortisol levels. Strangely enough if you continue to work the muscles after you have already reached your maximum capacity then cortisol levels actually rise . Cardio exercise is good but overdoing it is bad! once again, overdoing cardio will reverse the benefits of cortisol reduction. Don't kill yourself on the treadmill!!
For Australian women I highly recomend a women's only gym called "Contours". The circuit is only 30 minutes duration and includes both weights and cardio. There are all kinds of women that attend! big, small, old, young, fit and unfit, so you won't be out of place! For me personally, attending the gym has become the highlight of my day, and I never thought I would say that about exercise. The natural endorphins that exercise promotes have helped me tremendously. It becomes addictive very quickly! and unlike some of those nasty tranquilizer medications that they dish out for anxiety disorders...............exercise is a good addiction!
I have included some links to back up information that I have given here!
http://www.sandiegopremiertraining.com/10%20Biggest%20Mistakes.pdf
http://bodybuilding.about.com/od/supplementationbasics/tp/reducecortisol.htm
http://www.totalfitness.net/2007%20Mar%20Fitness%20Newsletter.htm
http://www.contours.net.au/