Antidepressants don’t always help everyone. These medications can also have many side-effects, which make antidepressants a poor option for some people. Looking on the brighter side, natural remedies can be adopted for depression treatment.
Some of them are as follows:
Exercise – Exercise helps the body get rid of toxins in the form of sweat. Moreover, it releases the good hormone endorphin, which calms the brain, thereby driving out depression. Exercise energizes the body as well.
Get enough sleep – Depression can lead to insomnia, which in turn, worsens depression. To initiate better sleep, you need to formulate a sleep pattern. Trying to go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day can help get the body into a more consistent sleep schedule. Taking naps can interrupt this schedule so it is best to try to avoid napping. Try to remove TV, laptops, etc. from your room which can distract your mind from sleeping on time.
Engage yourself in responsibilities– Doing things that get your mind off of your depression is important and helpful. For this to happen, involve yourself in responsibilities or activities which occupy your mind and leaves you with no time to think over negative aspects.
Think positive and discuss your problems– Don’t keep negativity inside. Discussing your issues can eventually lead to solutions. Moreover, as soon as a negative thought comes to mind, try to think of its counterpart, which is its positive thought. This will revive the feeling inside and relieve the mind.
Take Supplements in consultation with the doctor – Depression patients should consider taking supplements but only after consultation with the doctor. A serotonin rich supplement can do wonders. For natural intake, try taking foods rich in folic acid, fish oil, coconut oil, free-range turkey, etc.
Try something new – Boredom and isolation are also a significant cause of depression. Trying to do new things everyone can prevent both of these, helping to improve, depression.
Set small, achievable goals – Sometimes, people get into a depression due to failure. To overcome this kind of depression, individuals should set smaller goals which can be achieved easily. This instills confidence in them. The targets can be amplified very gradually so that one is not overburdened. This makes you attain success and come out of depression while achieving goals simultaneously.
Eat a nutritious diet – Many times depression can cause people to either eat more, unhealthy comfort foods or just not eat all. It is important to maintain good nutrition to provide your brain and body the nutrients it needs. Including omega-3fatty acids and folic acid in your routine diet can help the brain and mood. Sources such as walnuts, salmon, tuna, spinach, avocados can be taken to fulfill the need. Moreover, they include vitamin and mineral-rich food to get all of the essential nutrients needed for good health.
Don’t skip meals- Skipping a meal creates an imbalance in the sugar and blood pressure levels of the body, which in turn, creates disorders and deficiencies in the body which may result in depression.
Get outside – Get outdoors, go for a morning walk, inhale the fresh air, and get back into nature. This will allow you to expose yourself to sunlight, which provides vitamin D to the body leading to better absorption of calcium, thereby making you healthy. You may also take a break from routine life and go on a vacation. Getting out of the same environment and into the outdoors can help refresh and recharge your mind and body.
Avoid Caffeine– Avoid caffeine-rich food as this lowers serotonin levels in the body, which is the chemical produced that promotes well-being and happiness. You can supplement it with green tea, white tea, jasmine tea, etc.
Get your hormones checked- A hormonal imbalance can lead to depression, especially when thyroid, adrenal, and sex hormones are imbalanced. A check-up of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone(TSH), T3, T4, Cortisol, pregnenolone, progesterone, testosterone, etc. should be done to be able to address and imbalances.
Be Yourself – Be what you are. Do not pretend to be somebody else because hiding who you really are can eventually surround you with negativity leading to depression. Be your authentic self and avoid hiding who you are..
Meditation – This method helps clear your mind and drives out depression. When the mind settles, the mood is itself lifted, making one feel delighted.
Enjoy time with your hobby- Spend time in activities which interest you. Taking time to focus and participate in a hobby can help to improve your mood and if participating with others, can help with feelings of isolation. This helps one come out of depression and lead a happy life.
Conclusion
On the whole, there are many natural remedies that can help depression treatment without any side-effects. These remedies have a positive effect on the human body, which not only cures depression but many other problems in the body. Hence one should go for natural therapies to heal from inside as well as outside.