Natural Remedies For Depression

Natural remedies for depression have been used for ages to ease the symptoms that come with it such as apathy, lack of energy, melancholy, and despair. The remedies listed below are for sufferers of light to mild cases of depression that don’t want to consume pills that often come with unwanted side effects and want to go with alternative, natural, and safe remedies for depression that only do good but no harm.

Healthy Diet

Diet does play a part in affecting mood and if you are suffering from light to mild depression, a good way to start combating your depression naturally is to make sure you eat a healthy, nutrient dense diet. Several studies have shown specifically that the consumption of fatty acids and B-complex vitamins found in fatty fish, bananas, pumpkin seeds, and avocadoes can alleviate mild depression symptoms. Antioxidant foods like berries and green leafy greens are also great for boosting your energy and mood. In general, you should try to eat as many healthy foods as you can and avoid junk food and sweets.

Avoid also: excessive caffeine, alcohol, and smoking as these will exaggerate your depressed mood and fatigue symptoms.

Herbs

Herbs have been used ever since the ancient times to alleviate many body and mind ailments, including fatigue and depression. Some good herbs that are helpful for easing depression symptoms are St. John's Wort (available in herb stores and natural health pharmacies), camomile, saffron, and green tea. You can take these in tea form, as tinctures, or encapsulated supplements if you are not a fan of bitter herb tastes. In most cases, taking any of these herbs regularly (at least three days of the week) shouldn't cause any worries, but give your body a chance to adapt in-between and don’t consume them for extended periods.

Tip: If you are taking prescription pills, consult with your doctor first if you are going to use any herbs or similar natural remedies for depression as some herbs interact with the pills and cause side effects.

Studies have shown that certain nutritional deficiencies like magnesium, B-complex vitamins, and magnesium are linked with depression. While it’s better to take these nutrients through diet, not everyone has the time and effort to prepare full healthy meals all the time. Supplementation is a good way to cover your nutrient needs and boost your mood. Besides these, other supplements that are useful for light to mild depression symptoms are 5-HTP, amino-acids, and probiotics. Just be careful to never exceed the recommended dosage so you don’t end up with nasty side effects.

Exercise

Mild exercise is among the fastest and safest natural remedies for depression symptoms as it boosts the energy and oxygenates the body and the brain. Some good mild exercises to try are jogging, doing stretches, and working your feet in bicycle-like rotation while your head and body is turned upside down. The last exercise is especially useful as it helps blood and oxygen go to your brain faster and alleviates fatigue in an instant.

Meditation/Yoga

Meditation and yoga are another good option to help treat your depression symptoms with no pills. The key to this method is to practice good breathing techniques. One such basic technique is getting yourself relaxed and alone, away from distractions, in comfortable clothing, and then breathing in and out deeply, holding your breath for eight to 10 seconds each time. You may sit in the popular lotus yoga position (your feet placed in front in criss-cross shape towards your lower tummy area and sides) as a start or try more advanced positions if you want to have more powerful mood-boosting results. Fortunately, there are plenty of exercises to try out and experiment with so you can see which one works best for you.

Among the best natural remedies for depression, aromatherapy is also a good choice. Aromatherapy is very popular nowadays as it uses herbal and flower essences and its aromas to instantly relax, de-stress, and boost your mood. It’s no wonder that aromatherapy is used in all health and beauty spas across the world. If you don’t have the time and money to visit a health spa or aromatherapist, you can simply invest in an essential oil diffuser which typically costs less than $30 along with some anti-depression oils like ylang ylang, chamomile, and lavender.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a popular alternative health system with Chinese origins that involves the insertion of micro-needles in certain spots on the body to help release accumulated negative energy in that spot and to connect channels within the body. Occasional acupuncture sessions (one to two times per month), are suggested for treating mild depression symptoms, in the office of an expert acupuncturist and each session typically lasts from 15 minutes to an hour.

Positive Affirmations

Positive affirmations are a great way to “remind” your brain to feel more positive, even though they may not work at first. If you make it a habit and affirm yourself positive things in the present tense like “I’m happy,” “I enjoy myself,” “I feel content,” they will eventually be absorbed by your subconscious and become a reality. Tip: say these positive affirmations to yourself first thing in the morning and before you sleep so your brain can absorb them better.

Healthy Sleeping Patterns

Regulating your sleep patterns may be an obvious daily habit but it actually has a very positive impact on your mood throughout the day. This is because during night-time the cells of our system rejuvenate themselves and prepare you for the next day. If your sleep patterns are disturbed, this replenishing process won’t be as efficient and your depression symptoms will get worse. To regulate your sleep patterns, set your alarm at the same time each day for going to sleep and getting up. If you suffer from mild insomnia, try a relaxing bath, drink a chamomile tea, or read a book.

These are the most basic natural remedies for depression, and because they have little to no side effects, you can try many of them at the same time with no worries. Remember, you have the key to treat your depression naturally!