Knitting helps me a lot. Especially if I have to be out in social situations where I don't know people. I can sit quietly and knit and not feel obligated to say anything yet someone will usually come start a conversation with me. The sounds of the needles clicking is mediating. When I was recovering from my tonsil surgery I knitted a dishcloth every day for two weeks, lol.

keeping busy always takes my mind of the shit im going threw. have u ever tried that.

This is not a hobby per se, but I found it enormously beneficial. Take walks in woods if you can find them - alone you can talk to whatever diety you prefer is on, or is not on, your side and for anger knock down dead trees. It's fun and you return trees to nature.

Hobbies? I used to build ship and airplane models as a kid and have rediscovered that part of me again. Only I build 'em better now.

Yoga!! It can be done by any body type, in a group, alone, with books, cds or dvds, pretty much any way you want. It can also teach you ways to utilize poses throughout the day to lift spirits and refocus. It's not magic, but it helps...

I joined toastmasters.

You get the opportunity to participate in helping others while you are helping yourself.

The fact that you have a duty at each meeting gives you a sense of purpose. And you learn and improve yourself in an area that there is always room to grow. Actually you learn in more than one area--the work that you do in toastmasters diffuses into all areas of your life.

Look for a meeting near you at:
www.toastmaster.org

Well, I joined the gym. It is a great way to get away and it makes you feel good to. I also tan which helps with my depression.

Painting. But when I am really depressed, I can't even do that.

I have a job in which it seems I never get anything DONE. There's always a to do list a mile long. To get a task accomplished is a big deal to me. I love the feeling of crossing something off my "list", whatever that list may be. So I've taken to making tie quilts out of fleece. You can find instructions on the internet. It's really simple and you can make a whole blanket in about 2-3 hours in front of the TV completly vegging out but still get something accomplished. Then you can sell these or give them to nursing homes or whatever.

I also think knitting is a great hobby to change my mood. I find that creating something with my hands makes me feel grounded and part of a community, even when I am by myself. There are lots of knitting groups out there as well, both online and in the "real world".

Knitting has also been shown to create the same state in the brain as meditation. Of course, this takes a while. At first, I remember being very frustrated with my stitches and thinking "How is this helping me feel better???" But with practice the repetitive motion and concentration on something outside of myself was really helpful. Kept me calm in situations where I would normally lose my patience.

And, last but not least, you can make yourself something really fabulous to help you feel better on a gloomy day!

go work out. play sports. play video games.... just anything to stay active. keep moving.

i completely agree with reisen55 walking, especially bush walking is sooo theraputic, provided you dont have too many deadly snakes over there! its widely known about endorphins being produced when you walk but not only that. you get to take so much beauty and wonder in that its hard to stay depressed or stressed. it also gives you a place and time to clear your head and resolve issues without life interfearing.
but make sure you turn your mobile fone off!