Talk to a Safe Person(s) About How You Feel
One of the best ways to let out your emotions is by talking to someone who will listen and be understanding. This can be anyone - a parent, sibling, significant other, coworker, neighbor, or just someone who's always been there for you. Its important to establish a support system of people who you can talk to about problems you experience in your day to day life. The more support you have, the better. But, try to use good judgement, and avoid talking to people who are critical of you, or who have a negative, pessimistic attitude. Such people might only make you feel worse.

If you don't yet feel comfortable to share your feelings with a person you think, you might try taking small steps toward being able to. Start with, perhaps, telling them about how you're feeling today. If they listen, and give kind feedback, you can in time open up more to them, depending on the amount of trust your able to establish with this person. You might just find that the person you speak with can relate to how you feel, and you may be able to help eachother.

If you do not yet have anyone who you think is safe to talk to about how you feel, there is the option of joining online forums for those who are depressed. In a forum, you can express how you think or feel, and those with similar problems, and those who have been there, can post their thoughts, advice, and stories of hope, regarding whatever you're going through. In my experience, people in such forums can be pretty helpful. Theres also chatrooms for people who suffer from depression as another place to find support.

Relaxation and Stress Reduction Exercises
There are many things you can do to help relax your mind. People have found relief in activities such as yoga, tai chi, and meditation. You can find information about these topics in libraries, bookstores, and on the web. Also, where ever cd's/casettes are sold, you can also find items that offer relaxing music to listen to, in helping to calm your mind. Some cd's/tapes and dvd's/video's offer meditation excersises to practice as well.

Journaling
Journaling is a wonderful way to get your emotions out. I've used it for the past 12 years, and in the beginning, it was all I had to tell my secrets too. Anne Frank once wrote that "paper is the best listener." I couldn't agree more. You can write anything you want, taking all the time you need, and its there day after day. Its also a good way to look back and pay attention to the good times you've had. Theres positivity everywhere, in everything, and almost everyone, if you know where to look. Take ten minutes and write everything good you can think of about yourself. Write about your strengths, accomplishments, and the things and people you have to be greatful for (past or present). Write about your dreams, goals, and hopes. Write about what makes/has made you sad, angry, or scared. Write about the funniest moments in your life, and the times you've felt happy or less sad. Anything you want...the sky's the limit.

Seasonal Affected Depression
When the days grow short, cold, and dark its enough to make anyone depressed. If you're depressed as it is, then the winter can often make it feel a lot worse (my favorite season is spring). There are special lightbulbs you can purchase at an affordable price. By closing your eyes, and facing the light that these lightbulbs produce for 15 minutes, everyday, at a desired lamp, its said to help tremendously. I've yet to try this, but I've heard that it does work from a number of credible sources (professors, counselors, etc). I'm going to look up what type of light bulb this is later, and let you know as soon as I can. In the meantime, perhaps you could use the internet, and look for this answer now.

Take Time Off
When you're extremely depressed, sometimes the best thing you can do is nothing. But, it needs to be a constructive nothing. Sleeping twelve hours a day, and laying on the couch in misery is not going to help (trust me, I know from doing it for about 9 months last year, LoL). Take time off from the dishes, laundry, kids, spouse, and just relax. Watch your favorite movie, meditate, journal, talk on the phone with your best friend for 2 hours. Read affirmations, meditation books, your favorite book, or look through old photos that bring back good memories. Take a long, hot bath. Light some candles, and pray while listening to your favorite music. Just give yourself some time to unwind anyway that you can.

Surround yourself with positivity
Now is not the time to talk to people who are equally as depressed as you. You and the other person may just drive each other into a darker place than where you're already at. Try to avoid listening to other peoples problems, because you have enough of your own. Watching the news or reading the newspaper only makes us aware of the worst things that happen in our world everyday. I usually don't do either at anytime. But, when your depressed, you need'nt be reminded of another crime, natural disaster, or how our economy is doing these days. Not good times, my friend...not good times at all.

Therapist
Talking with a person whos trained in helping you cope better can really help when you're depressed. The hardest part is finding one who you feel comfortable with. From there, things gradually get better if you're willing to work at and listen to good advice. You'll probably face some hard life style changes, that just may take the rest of your life to keep up on, (Like me. LoL.) But as long as you keep trying you'll never stop growing.

Support Groups
These are very helpful. If theres a group for people who suffer from depression, or perhaps a support group for survivors, it might be a good idea to participate in one. My only rule is to make sure you're in a group with people who are trying to find ways to get better, instead of a group who only wants to discuss how bad things are. Bad times. Surround yourself with positive people as much as you can. Life is hard for all of us, no matter who you are. We don't live in a friendly world, but its nice to talk to people who pay attention to the things that sustain us. Loves important. Love yourself first, and then work on other people. Or, you can work on both at the same time. Most of us do this last option I think.

Happy, Smiley Bunnies and Unicorns...
Okay, okay...so theres no such thing. Well...there can be if you're a child or hallucinating (brain chemistry not well, LSD, etc.) But if you were either, I don't think you would be reading this. So, happiness is not the purpose or objective of life, but just a part of life. Money, power, sex...all of that is nice in when balanced properly, but if you obsess over it you'll be either disappointed the rest of your life, or if you actually obtain these things you can be lonely and miserable. BUT...there are NICE THINGS we can do that help us to feel joy. I swear, its true...just listen... Wearing your favorite outfit, laughing, doing something that makes another feel good, helping those that are not as fortunate as we are (theres plenty...but once again, the news and newspapers are bad). Take a good, long look around and appreciate all that you have and all that you are. Even if it doesn't feel like much, we all are blessed. Never forget there are people out there who would do anything not to be starving, homeless, and constantly dodging bombs. From where they stand, your life IS the land of happy, smiley bunnys and unicorns. Hug your kid(s)(whether they be out or within you). Look into their eyes and try to keep from smiling. If you can't right now, I promise, you will tomorrow.