I tested 'Cures' for Depression & rated them - Depression tips ranked!

So, I’ve heard a ton of advice floating around on how to fight depression, and, like many of you, I decided to try as many of them as I could. Some worked, some didn’t, and a lot of it just made me question if I was doing it right. But if something works for you, that’s amazing! I’d love to hear about your experiences and discuss what’s helped or not helped in the comments. Here’s my take on some of the common advice I’ve come across:

Going to the gym: This is probably one of the most common pieces of advice you’ll hear. I’ve been hitting the gym, and yeah, seeing your body change can boost your mood. That post-workout serotonin hit when I’m walking home? Chef’s kiss. But let’s be real: getting myself to the gym in the first place is a whole battle. Working out is hard, and I’ll be honest, I half-ass it most of the time.
The best part is when you finish it. Plus, progress is so slow, and sometimes that little voice in my head is like, “Why even bother? None of this matters anyway.” If you’re thinking about trying the gym route, I’d suggest looking into group workouts or classes, or even getting a personal trainer to give you more structure.
Rating: 6/10

Getting myself out there: As an introvert, this one’s tough. Saying yes when someone invites me out feels like too much efort, but I try not to say no too often. Sometimes it helps: spending time with someone I’m close to can genuinely lift my mood, especially if we’re doing something fun. But if I’m being honest, a lot of the time it feels… hollow?
Like I’m just going through the motions because I know I’m supposed to. And when I don’t even enjoy the activity, it can send me spiraling even worse. It’s like, “Why did I bother? Now I feel like crap and drained and I wasted money”. Then there’s the overthinking afterward. I’ll replay every little thing I said and obsess over whether I annoyed my friends or was awkward. Cue the cringe loop and feeling even worse about myself.
Rating 5/10

Getting into a romantic relationship: Unfortunately, this one works. And I’m really sorry if you haven’t found your person yet—it’s tough out there. It took me nearly a decade to find someone, so I get it. At the beginning, you’re filled with all these feel-good chemicals, and it honestly feels amazing. But as a depressed person, that little pessimistic voice never really shuts up. It’s constantly whispering about how they’ll eventually figure out you’re awful and leave. Plus, you can feel terrible, like you’re dragging them down with you.
So yeah, I’d recommend it if the opportunity comes along, but fair warning: it’s not a magic fix. It can be agonizing at times because deep down, you might not feel lovable, no matter how much they care and sabotage the relationship.
Rating 8/10

Getting into therapy: Unfortunately, this one doesn’t work for me, and honestly, I just felt like I wasted my money. But if therapy works for you, please don’t let my experience discourage you—it’s a lifesaver for a lot of people.
For me, though, it feels like I don’t really fit into the “boxes” that therapy often works within. I’m painfully self-aware, and sometimes I feel like the therapist’s perspective is a bit superficial. Not that I think I’m some kind of genius, but I’m very analytical, and it feels like they’re just scratching the surface. Plus, my existential fears and dread? Yeah, those aren’t getting cured by talking to someone.
Rating: 3/10

Taking antidepressants: This one’s a bit of a mixed bag. I’ve switched meds around 5 or 6 times (lol). Most of them didn’t work for me, but there was one that did for about six months. I’ll draw from that experience. It was definitely worth it to help pull me out of a really deep slump. I honestly felt carefree for the first time in my life, which was huge. I just wish it didn’t stop working.
That said, there’s something kind of artificial about the way it makes you feel, and sometimes I worried that I was losing my authenticity. (Not that I think depression is part of who you really are, but that’s a whole other topic.) Honestly, if you find something that works for you, it can be a good solution, even though it doesn’t get to the root of the problem. On the flip side, a lot of meds can come with side effects: weight gain, bloating, or losing your sex drive. But honestly, if they work for you, you might not care too much about those things.
Rating 6/10

Mindfulness and Meditation / Journaling:
Journaling was a lifesaver when I was a depressed teenager. Now that I’m older, even though it can still help a bit, I just don’t reach for a pen and paper in moments of distress. I end up feeling like it’s pointless, but I know I should probably push myself to do it more often.
As for mindfulness and meditation, well, that’s tough for me. My brain just doesn’t turn off. I’d rather have it stimulated than sit in silence. I’ve seen other people benefit from it, but honestly, I can’t seem to get into it because my brain literally never shuts up. I also have this thought that it’s pointless, so I don’t really commit to it. A workaround I found is walking in nature: fresh air, light exercise, and just being surrounded by nature. That’s about as close as I can get to meditation and finding a quieter mind.
Rating 4/10

Anyway, that’s my experience with these depression “cures.” It’s a journey, and I’m still figuring things out. If you’ve tried anything that’s worked for you, I’d love to hear about it in the comments!