Natural Remedies For Depression
People experience periods of sadness, feeling out of sorts, a bit blue, detached and other variations of mood at different points during their life. Depression occurs when these feelings become a persistent state of being rather than a passing mood.
Clinical depression can eventually affect a person’s physical health and ability to perform regular daily activities. A depressed person may eventually experience suicidal thoughts and exhibit self-destructive tendencies if their depression remains untreated.
Symptoms of depression below can be mild to extreme and include physical symptoms:
- Sadness
- Irritability and anger; angry outbursts with little provocation
- Unexplained aches and pains; headaches; backaches
- Low energy; small tasks sap energy
- Extreme weight gain or weight loss
- Disengaged from daily activities especially ones previously enjoyed
- Changed sleeping patterns–from excessive sleeping to insomnia
- Poor concentration and memory
Natural Remedies For Depression
Depression can occur for a variety of reasons. Some cases of depression are caused by nutritional deficiencies. Others cases of depression are the result of environmental factors, such as lack of sunlight in the case of seasonal affective depression. Other cases are genetically passed on. I use the following lamp prescribed by my psychiatrist. Actually we have 3 lamps one for 3 of our family members! SAD lamps really help and they can be covered by insurance!
When a person visits their doctor or therapist and receives a diagnosis of depression, the medical practitioner attempts to prescribe the best remedy for their patient’s type of depression.
Remedies may be as simple as making lifestyle changes or dietary adjustments. In extreme cases of depression, prescription medications may be required to alleviate the condition.
Aside from following your doctor’s orders, it is important to be proactive in your treatment and that means using various natural remedies that can help improve your condition on a day-to-day basis.
Your Options In Natural Remedies For Depression
Increase physical activity. Exercise relieves symptoms of depression and alleviates stress, which can contribute to depression. During exercise, the body releases endorphins, which diminish the perception of pain and act as a sedative. Exercise is a natural mood elevator.
Eat well. Nutritional deficiencies can trigger depressive symptoms in some people. Patients showing depressive symptoms may undergo lab testing for nutritional deficiencies and hormonal imbalances. People deficient in one or more of the B-Vitamins, Calcium, Magnesium, and Vitamin D may be especially vulnerable to depression as are people with thyroid imbalances; the thyroid releases hormones, which regulate the whole metabolism.
Ask your doctor about using herbal supplements. Supplements derived from the active components of various herbs have been used successfully to treat depression. An herb commonly recommended for the treatment of depression is St. John’s Wort. It seems to be most effective when used to treat mild to moderate cases of depression. Saffron also shows promise as a treatment for depression; however, it can cause notable side effects in high doses. Herbal supplements must be taken with care and ideally under a health care practitioner’s supervision. They can interact with other medications and may have negative side effects for some people.
Establish healthy sleep patterns. The quantity and quality of sleep a person experiences directly impacts their health and mental status. Getting enough sleep and completing a full sleep cycle (sleep without interruption) supports good physical and mental health.
More Options For Natural Remedies For Depression
Stay engaged in daily activities and set goals. Depression has physical components, but is primarily a mental illness. In order to combat mental illness, the mind needs to be engaged in ways, which offset the symptoms of depression. Sticking to a routine of daily activities and setting small goals alleviates some of the cyclical negative thinking, which often accompanies depression. It keeps people from “getting down on themselves.” In other words, maintaining routines and attaining daily goals counter the negative self-talk that can accompany depression and make it worse.
Explore various mind-body connection practices. Yoga, Tai Chi, Meditation, Biofeedback, Aromatherapy, Acupuncture, and other alternative therapies offer relief from the symptoms of depression. They offer relief from fatigue, anxiety and scattered thinking.
More Options For Natural Remedies For Depression
Many people live with mild to severe depression without seeking medical assistance. People in depressive states no longer need to suffer with the illness. Fortunately, many options for the treatment of depression exist.
Depression can be managed and in some cases completely alleviated. Early diagnosis and treatment of depression lessens the condition’s overall impact on a person’s physical health and relationships.
Call the NDMDA (National Depressive Manic-Depressive Association) Depression Hotline – Support Group (800) 826-3632 for help.
Depression affects so many people, and it doesn’t get talked about enough. It’s great to have natural choices for treatment, before going the medicinal route. Thanks for sharing.
Thank U 4Ur support..U been a God send!!
I like these all natural tips for dealing with depression. I know that when I eat healthy, do not over do it, and get plenty of exercise that I always feel better!
my husband suffers from depression. these were interesting to read, so i’m definitely bookmarking this article.
I know people who have had success with essential oils for depression.
As a depression sufferer myself, these are amazing tips. I have found food to be the best medicine. My body needs good food in order for my brain to be healthy. Thank you for sharing.
the eating option there is very true!!!
These are great tips, I’m going to pass this onto my son who suffers terribly from depression. Thank you!
obviously if things are really bad, consult with a professional, but these are definitely goodself care guidelines
Physical activity seems to help me a lot, but these are all great tips to maintain a healthy mind-set.
These are great tips. When I’m feeling down I walk a little more and it helps alot.
I take a short walk daily.
I hope this works. Im glad its natural. Hope no side effects.
in terms of exercise, you need to exercise at least 30 minutes a day to achieve it’s beneficial effects for mood. I prefer to use traditional medicine to treat my depression.
Sandra, Exercise is a good avenue but I prefer to use a SAD Lamp and traditional medicine. Sometimes during the deep winter here in Alaska, traditional medicine isn’t enough. But then I need to start the lamp in the fall for full benefit.
I definitely need to look into a SAD lamp. Thank you for letting us know that they work.
You bet Gabrielle!
I’ll have to try these. I always get down in the dumps over the holiday season.
My brother is going through depression right now! I have never heard of the Sad lamp, but I think it’s worth a try.
Oh wow Lisa Garland, SAD lamps have been around a long time. Hope your brother feels better soon.
I’ve had clinical depression all of my life, I already knew most of the pointers, but they are just so hard to do when you’re in such a negative place.
Oh Susie, I agree. I hope you can stay above it this winter. I can’t control my depression without medication. But for those who can, natural is a nice way to go.
Mental health is so easy to neglect being an illness that can’t be seen only felt
Interesting post. I suffer with bipolar but struggle the most with the depression that comes with it. I am lucky that my medications have really helped with my mood swings. Glad to see people bringing awareness to depression though
Someone close to me was newly diagnosed with manic bipolar last year. I think bipolar is the hardest to control. I am so glad medications are working for you. They are working for my friend too.
A lamp can help with depression? This is out of my expectation. But it’s worth a try to see the effectiveness.
Mai Tran it has to be a specific lamp with 10,000 lux in brightness.
I get depressed on cloudy days, so I should check out a SAD lamp too. Thanks for sharing!
It’s so easy to neglect our mental health! All of your suggestions are wonderful for everyone, not just those who struggle with depression.
Wow, some comments make it sound bad if we have to use a prescription for depression. What a way to help. Some of us have to use a pill or we would be in a hospital, cause this normal stuff, is for those without severe stress. Our lives we not as perfect as yours and if it takes a pill to level my body out, then I am taking it and don’t care you think it’s so bad to do it.
Jen Boehme..I have to use medication and have for years for my depression. I also have OCD and panic disorder. When I was newly diagnosed the thought was that if after 3 years on medication, you could try going off. But if you couldn’t manage it naturally then you would probably need medication the rest of your life. It has worked that way for me and my son. We both have to take meds. My son just got his PHD in neuroscience. Taking meds is not bad!! And having a mental illness is not any worse than having a medical illness like diabetes. Not sure where you thought I am not in support of medication. This post was for natural ways to cope with depression BUT many times that just isn’t possible.
These are excellent tips and so important too.
I need these! Thank y0u!!
this is a great idea
Someone was just telling me today they feel depressed at this time of year because it gets dark, I will share these suggestions!
these are good ideas. a lot of people do not want to be dependent on drugs
Molli that is true. But sometimes drugs are needed for control. No one needs to suffer from depression these days. And drugs for depression are not a stigma….just saying for those who may need it. I take meds for depression, couldn’t function without them. But I still need a SAD lamp in the winter…so I mix natural treatments with traditional medication.
Thanks for the great article! I’ve been battling depression for over 40 years, and really don’t want to do the meds thing again. Some great tips. :o)
This is a great idea for combating depression.
i have never heard of that lamp before but sleeping really helps me.