Depression Cures - 5 Natural Ways to Combat Depression
Depression is a common and pervasive condition that affects a great number of people at some point in their lives.
The symptoms of depression -- feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and hopelessness -- can occur as a result of many factors, including unresolved past trauma, brain chemistry, and current stressful circumstances, including toxic or abusive relationships.
While some cases of severe depression may warrant a medical approach, often milder cases can be addressed through the use of natural methods.
Here are 5 suggestions that treat depression in a natural way: 1.
Dietary guidelines.
If you are on a medically prescribed diet, be sure to check with your doctor before making any changes.
Otherwise, focus your diet on healthy foods.
The mind body connection is a powerful one and the health of one affects the other.
Try eating low sugar, high fiber and protein foods.
Fresh vegetables and fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains are ideal.
If you have difficulty maintaining appetite while depressed, try carrying around or having available snack foods with you at all times.
A mouthful of food may be less overwhelming to consume than a whole plateful.
If you have the opposite issue and tend to overeat when you're down, do not eat when you are distracted, like when you watch tv.
Some people find it helpful to set a cutoff point in the evening beyond when they will not eat anything more.
2.
Try supplements.
A good, food based multivitamin and calcium supplement is a good place to start.
Also try fish oil, which has a variety of benefits that include improved brain function.
You may also take a couple of other supplements, one of which is called 5 HTP (hydroxytryptophan).
This supplementassists in mood regulation and is a natural antidepressant.
It is often taken with L-Theanine, which is an anti-anxiety supplement that does not produce drowsiness.
3.
Use exercise as a prescription.
Depending on your fitness level and doctor recommendation, you can use exercise specifically to improve your mental state.
Cardiovascular exercise is ideal for this purpose.
What you want is to raise your heart rate over a sustained period in order to release the endorphins in your body.
Ideally, you will work up to 45 minutes of cardio exercise 5 times per week.
4.
Talk out the problem.
A professional counselor is a great choice, as they have the training and objectivity to give you excellent feedback and help you gain perspective on your situation.
Trusted friends and family can be a good source of support as well.
5.
Do small things every day to honor your value as a person.
Make a list of small things you enjoy, that you can do for yourself.
This list could include things like calling a friend, making yourself a special cup of coffee, taking a bath, or buying yourself a small indulgence.
Choose one of these things and do it every day.
Cross these items off your list as you do them, and create a new list once the previous one has been exhausted.
The symptoms of depression -- feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and hopelessness -- can occur as a result of many factors, including unresolved past trauma, brain chemistry, and current stressful circumstances, including toxic or abusive relationships.
While some cases of severe depression may warrant a medical approach, often milder cases can be addressed through the use of natural methods.
Here are 5 suggestions that treat depression in a natural way: 1.
Dietary guidelines.
If you are on a medically prescribed diet, be sure to check with your doctor before making any changes.
Otherwise, focus your diet on healthy foods.
The mind body connection is a powerful one and the health of one affects the other.
Try eating low sugar, high fiber and protein foods.
Fresh vegetables and fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains are ideal.
If you have difficulty maintaining appetite while depressed, try carrying around or having available snack foods with you at all times.
A mouthful of food may be less overwhelming to consume than a whole plateful.
If you have the opposite issue and tend to overeat when you're down, do not eat when you are distracted, like when you watch tv.
Some people find it helpful to set a cutoff point in the evening beyond when they will not eat anything more.
2.
Try supplements.
A good, food based multivitamin and calcium supplement is a good place to start.
Also try fish oil, which has a variety of benefits that include improved brain function.
You may also take a couple of other supplements, one of which is called 5 HTP (hydroxytryptophan).
This supplementassists in mood regulation and is a natural antidepressant.
It is often taken with L-Theanine, which is an anti-anxiety supplement that does not produce drowsiness.
3.
Use exercise as a prescription.
Depending on your fitness level and doctor recommendation, you can use exercise specifically to improve your mental state.
Cardiovascular exercise is ideal for this purpose.
What you want is to raise your heart rate over a sustained period in order to release the endorphins in your body.
Ideally, you will work up to 45 minutes of cardio exercise 5 times per week.
4.
Talk out the problem.
A professional counselor is a great choice, as they have the training and objectivity to give you excellent feedback and help you gain perspective on your situation.
Trusted friends and family can be a good source of support as well.
5.
Do small things every day to honor your value as a person.
Make a list of small things you enjoy, that you can do for yourself.
This list could include things like calling a friend, making yourself a special cup of coffee, taking a bath, or buying yourself a small indulgence.
Choose one of these things and do it every day.
Cross these items off your list as you do them, and create a new list once the previous one has been exhausted.
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