If you are battling depression and do not want to rely on antidepressants or other chemical solutions, it may be beneficial to find a hobby that can help stimulate your mind and battle the symptoms of depression. Here are some great alternatives that have other benefits as well.  Needlework

One of the most satisfying results of needlework, such as knitting, sewing, crocheting, or embroidery, is that you are relaxing and producing something that you can use yourself or give as a beautiful handmade gift. With the right materials and skill, the possibilities truly are unlimited to what you can imagine and craft. Studies have shown that sewing can even help symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder. Needlework provides an outlet that absorbs the attention enough for the body to relax. It can even benefit those who struggle with dementia. Finding a hobby that involves creating something out of thread or yarn is wonderful at battling depression. 

Swimming

Swimming can be a great form of exercise, as well as a fun activity for everyone in your family. It has also been shown to help ease symptoms of depression and anxiety. If you do not want to purchase a membership to a local pool, country club, or swim club, it may be beneficial to build a pool in your backyard, especially if you live somewhere with warmer weather. If you do not have the money up front, there are several swimming pool financing companies that can give you an affordable payment plan so you can have a pool that will promote relaxation and happiness. 

Hiking

No matter where you live, there are bound to be some exciting and challenging hiking trails within close reach. It combines the health benefits of getting exercise regularly with the effects of exposure to nature, making it an ideal form of supplemental treatment for mental health issues. Getting out in nature can greatly improve your outlook on life, one of the most common problems associated with depression and anxiety. Hiking allows you to fully benefit from all that nature has to offer: A sense of peace and tranquility, as well as breathing in completely fresh air and distancing yourself from our busy world of ever-increasing screens and decreasing amounts of free time. 

Reading 

While reading is becoming less and less popular due to the rise of other forms of entertainment, it still has many therapeutic effects that should not go unnoticed. Although reading anything can play a positive role in managing your mental health, fiction allows readers to immerse themselves in other worlds and characters, as well as potentially connect with characters and scenarios that they are able to relate to. Additionally, studies have concluded that consuming nonfiction with a recovery-based narrative can impact readers going through similar experiences. All of these aspects aside, reading serves the great purpose of a welcome distraction that is not destructive, when you want to step away from problems or worries for a while. 

Dancing

Upbeat music is a good way to boost your mood, and combining it with a physical activity, which releases endorphins, culminates best in aerobic exercises like dance. Dancing regularly has been shown to have a marked effect on those who suffer from depression. In addition, the social aspect of dance encourages group work and bonding, and that socialization is crucial for elevating mood and encouraging fulfillment of common goals. The body is a wonderful vessel when used to communicate through creative expression methods such as dance. Combined with other aspects of mental health management, such as therapy, dance can be an effective part of combating symptoms of depression and anxiety. 

Although it can seem difficult to find ways to help your depression, there are many solutions available that can create lifelong hobbies and improve your mood and outlook on life at the same time. With these suggestions, you are guaranteed to find an activity that you enjoy.