10 Natural Depression Treatments That Will Keep You Away from Heavy Medication

 

These natural depression treatments will help you to find yourself again while staying away from the harmful effects of antidepressants.

Ever since our existence, we the humans are always seeking for new natural ways to treat ourselves.
Nature has been taking care of our health and inner balance for centuries. Unfortunately, with the expansion of the modern medicine, natural treatment lost its power. But today science explains and demonstrates how some natural ways have positive effects on the physical, emotional and mental balance. Let us not forget the good functioning of the human organism.
Specifically, depression can be treated very successfully by using natural ways. Natural depression treatments have become more available to us today. From dysthymic mood (chronic of long-lasting moodiness) to the mild and informal or hidden depression (feeling of heaviness in the arms and legs, intense nerves, permanent fatigue, etc.). All of these kinds of depression can be treated naturally.
However, the most serious forms such as manic depression aka Bipolar disorder, often require medical support. Even in these cases, natural depression treatments, combined with medication, appear to accelerate the therapeutic effects.
These new scientific discoveries are giving a new hope to people who are struggling with the emotional and psychological “plague” of the modern world.


Here are ten great natural depression treatments you should try:

1. Distinguish the symptoms of depression

Here are some of typical symptoms of depression: Anxiety, pessimism, feeling of permanent fatigue and internal weight, lack of energy, overeating, consumption of junk food, stretched nerves or apathy, feelings of sadness, guilt, difficulty sleeping (or interrupted sleep), headaches, disturbances in the digestive system, chronic pain in the body.

2. Determine the real causes

When you determine the causes or the reasons for depression you will have a real picture of the situation. The biggest trap that sets our depression is the feeling that we are in a deadlock which does not change. Try not to feel like there is no better solution. Sometimes it seems like a cage that we cannot get out of. Try to arrange your thoughts. If you cannot make it alone, share it with your family or good friends. You will be taking a big step. The depression tends to cuts us out from others and to drag us into a mess inside. This leads to loneliness which is very bad for depressed people.

3. Move, move, move!

The more depressed we are, the more difficult it is to put the body in motion. Yet it is the best you can do for yourself! The physical activities are releasing the chemicals in the brain. These chemicals affect the good mood. In addition, they reduce stress, improve sleep and elevate energy levels. While offering mental and emotional benefits, physical activities are strengthening our self-esteem because we take personal actions.
You can do cycling, dancing, running, swimming and of course yoga. It seems that even simple activities like housework, gardening, walking for 20 minutes are enough to turn depression in a good mood.

4. The valuable Omega 3 Fatty acids

Recently scientists have related Omega-3 Fatty acids to depression. They have observed that in those societies where the diet contains more Omega-3 people have lower rates of depression, like those who are accustomed to eating fish, the main source of Omega 3 Oils.
To enrich your diet in Omega 3 Fatty acids include more fish in your diet: salmon, sardines, fresh tuna, anchovies, and trout.
Sources of Alpha-Linolenic Acid (another type of omega-3) are the flaxseed oil, walnuts and vegetables with dark green foliage. You can also take supplements of Omega-3 form in health food stores and pharmacies.

5. Choose what you eat

Proper diet can greatly help to prevent or cure depression when it has already started.
In some protein foods such as fish, peanuts, dates, there is a specific amino acid tryptophan which is helping our body to produce the neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin is usually called a hormone of happiness because it is greatly responsible for the good mood.
Also, nuts and seeds contain magnesium that affects serotonin production in the body. Other healthy sources of proteins are beans, peas, fish, turkey, lean beef, yogurt and soy products.
Scientists hypothesize that the levels of serotonin are also related to carbohydrates. Select the sources of carbs from whole foods and avoid refined carbohydrates such as white sugar, white bread or white pasta.
Finally, foods rich in Vitamin B (associated with serotonin) are asparagus, spinach, broccoli, peas, Brussels sprouts, radish, cauliflower, watercress, as well as oranges and red peppers (rich in Vitamin C). Avoid coffee because it reduces the levels of serotonin. Better choices would be green or herbal tea.

6. Expose yourself to sunlight

The sun can make us happy. Vitamin D is synthesized in our skin with the beneficial effects of the sun. The lack of vitamin D is associated with inadequate sun exposure. Even in winter, you should always find the time and occasion to spend some time in the sunlight. Therefore, get out during the sunny days and feel the benefits of our life-giving star.

7. Psychotherapy

Contrary to some preconceptions, psychotherapy does not mean simply “talking about problems”, but looking for appropriate solutions through different approaches.
It also does not include only the analysis of the past – surely offer explanations and answers. Most modern psychotherapists place focus on the “here and now”, the issues of life and their management. We cannot change the past, but we can act in the present to change the future.

8. Phytotherapy

Modern medicine is starting to accept the benefits of natural herbal remedies which are known to mankind for millennia. Herbs and teas can greatly help you with depression without side-effects. Some of the most powerful herbs to be used as natural depression treatments are St john’s Wort, Saffron, Lavender, Valerian, Lemon balm, Chamomile, Purple Passionflower, Californian poppy etc… Be sure to check with your doctor if you are already taking some pills, but if you chose to take only the herbs visit a professional physiotherapist for the right dosage and mixture.

9. Acupressure

Acupressure has shown great results in treating many psychological conditions. Depression and anxiety have been a matter of successful therapy with acupressure for centuries. Acupressure is a simple yet very delicate technique which is using the pressure to different points on our body. This technique has been proven successful in relieving the pain, aches, tensions etc… It is also very successful in stress reduction and calming the whole organism. The body is just one component. Acupressure is healing spirit and mind as well.

10. Surround yourself with positive people

Many people feel depressed just because their friend constantly make them feel down. It’s important to recognize when people are stealing your energy and always are complaining or criticizing you. If you start spending more time with positive and supportive friends you will feel that the symptoms of depression are fading.You will discover that a good evening with positive people works better than any pill or therapist. Try to detect which are the negative people in your life and decide to avoid or reduce the time you spend with them.
You will discover that a good evening with positive people works better than any pill or therapist. Try to detect which are the negative people in your life and decide to avoid or reduce the time you spend with them. Open yourself to new and positive friendship or call some old friends which bring great memories to you.