Everyone feels blue from time to time, but if you’re feeling persistent sadness, hopelessness, fatigue, restlessness, guilt or difficulty concentrating for more than two weeks, you may be exhibiting signs of depression. Major depression often requires medications such as antidepressants in order to regain control of your emotions, but some people with mild depression symptoms have found success through natural depression remedies.
Natural treatments for depression can be very effective, but even though these methods are “natural,” it’s important to check with your doctor to determine if these treatments are safe for you, especially if you’re taking antidepressants. If your doctor gives you the go-ahead, try these six natural ways to treat your depression symptoms.
Natural Depression Treatment #1: Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy (or “talk” therapy) is a highly effective form of depression treatment that has been used for years. Psychotherapy helps relieve symptoms of depression so that you can regain a sense of control and happiness in your life.
Natural Depression Treatment #2: Natural & Herbal Supplements
Studies show that some natural and herbal supplements can significantly reduce feelings of depression. Many of these natural supplements are safe alternatives to prescription antidepressants; however, you should always consult a doctor before taking herbal and natural supplements because they may cause dangerous interactions with certain medications. Some of the most effective herbal supplements for treating depression symptoms are St. John’s wort, ginkgo biloba, passion flower and rhodiola (or roseroot). L-glutamine and L-histidine are two amino acids that have shown significant anti-depressive properties in addition to reducing stress and irritability. There are also two naturally occurring compounds called 5-HTP and SAMe that studies have shown to be just as effective as many prescription antidepressants, making them some of the most popular natural antidepressants.
Natural Depression Treatment #3: Exercise
Exercise is more than just good for your body; it’s also good for your mind. Exercise helps to boost your mood by stimulating various feel-good brain chemicals that leave you feeling happier and more relaxed. Exercise also takes your mind off worries, boosts your energy level, promotes better sleep and even improves your sex life.
Natural Depression Treatment #4: Diet
Studies show that a healthy, balanced diet improves your mood in numerous ways. Foods that are high in sugar, simple carbohydrates and fat can cause dips in your energy level and mood, so try to limit their consumption. You also want to avoid alcohol, which acts as a depressant. Increase your consumption of foods rich in omega-3s, an extremely healthy oil found in salmon, walnuts, flaxseed and other foods that has been shown to boost mood. Foods high in vitamin B6 and magnesium also help the body to produce the mood-enhancing chemicals serotonin and dopamine. Also, try adding foods high in folic acid, which some studies suggest helps improve the effectiveness of antidepressants. Folic acid can be found in many vegetables, beans and whole-wheat products.
Natural Depression Treatment #5: Yoga and Meditation
Yoga is a great way to quiet your mind and find inner peace and balance. You can also alleviate depression symptoms by practicing simple meditation techniques that help you control negative thinking and focus your mind on positivity.
Holistic Depression Treatment at Casa Palmera
Depression can be a debilitating disorder that disrupts your life. At Casa Palmera, we believe in treating depression and other mood disorders with traditional treatments like therapy and medications, but we also believe in a holistic approach that uses the healing power of natural depression treatments. Call Casa Palmera today and ask how our holistic depression treatment program can return you to a healthy mind, body and emotional state of well-being.
About the author
