Exercise is good for us, but physical contact is equally important. Exercise affects brain chemicals, and the healing touch of physical closeness does too. If you’re depressed, hug somebody – anybody, everybody! A hug is good medicine. It reduces stress and tension and it boosts your immunity to illness. Hugs raise self esteem and lower blood pressure. They feel good and make people happy. And they’re free! Hugs are the universal language that communicates love and acceptance. They’re healthy for the "hugger" as well as the "hugee."

Learn to laugh. It really will make you feel better. Visit a local joke shop or toy shop. Buy books and magazines that you find entertaining and amusing rather than just educational. hire a funny video and invite one or two friends round to enjoy it with you.

Build up your self-confidence. People who suffer from depression often lack self-assurance. Write an advertisement for yourself listing all your good qualities. Carry your advert with you and look at it whenever you’re feeling down.

Talk to someone about it. A problem shared is a problem halved. Have you ever felt better by getting something off your chest? Of course you have. Did talking about a problem in the past help to put it into perspective and perhaps make it easier to deal with. I would guess you have probably been there too. Depression is no different. Find someone you can trust and get talking about it. Friends, family, your doctor, support groups both online and off….You might even find that someone comes up with an idea you have never thought of which just might work for you.

don’t like dealing with parents? Move out or tell them that they have to stop putting you in the middle

hate school? Then take a year off to think about what career you would really enjoy, if u hate it now, imaginge doing it for the next 30 years!

Your a guy, find a cute girl and ask her out

car’s still there(ur a guy) go to the city by yourself and see if you can join any bar hop parties or if their is a concert going on..

mopping ain’t gonna make it better, it’s just the easier way out

Since you are going to turn 21, this should actually be a good time for you and it’s ok if it isn’t, you have a lot on your plate. And because of this, it’s hard to find any joy in life with your parents recent split so your home life environment isn’t the most positive right now.

You need to get back to work so you can one day soon, move out and try and get a place with a friend. It sounds like you’re going to college, so I’m sure expenses are an issue, but you’ll have to try.

Sometimes we just need a little push to get us in the right direction. The right medication will most certainly help you look at the little things more clearer and you’ll be glad you did when you feel that smile on your face again.

The problem with not going on a medication right now, is you don’t want to wait so long, that you have a hard time just getting there. It can creep up on you pretty fast. But let your Dr. decide what to do. Talk to your Doctor, tell him you just don’t find any joy in the things you use to do and you can’t even get yourself to work.

The sooner you do this for yourself, the better you’ll be. I know it’s hard to see the forest for the trees, but if you want that old person back, sometimes you have to reach out and take the help that is out there for you, even if it means going to a counselor, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

I’m sorry you’re having to go through your parents separation, don’t you think this could be a big part of why you feel so depressed? It’s not your fault and it’s not your fault you are so sad about it.

It’s ok to be sad, but you are getting ready to turn 21 and I want to send you a Happy Birthday wish anyway

Do what you can for yourself, take care of yourself and love yourself.

Big hugs for your 21st birthday and be safe:)