How To Get Help For Depression With Natural Methods
Do you know you can get help for depression even if it is mild and doesn't interfere with daily, normal functioning? It's true.
If this describes your current experience with this disorder you may want to try some natural methods which are readily available, safe and easy to use.
In many cases, the effectiveness of many of these approaches can be equal to or better than antidepressant drugs.
Start by making some of these simple changes to your lifestyle.
Get physically active Regular physical activity is known to work as a natural antidepressant.
Compared to a month's supply of Lexipro which costs a little over $100, exercise is free and a lot more fun.
You can walk, run, dance, bike or swim your way to mental health.
The endorphins released in your brain during physical activity increases your levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter responsible for lifting mood.
Serotonin can also distract you away from negative thinking, shield you from stress, and build your self-esteem.
For best results, most medical experts recommend at least forty-five minutes of brisk exercise, five days per week.
Practice daily relaxation At least once a day, try to set some time aside to relax.
You can begin with simple deep breathing exercises.
If you find you get good results with this technique you can use it to ease into daily meditation.
Then if you really want to step things up, regular yoga practice is a great way to balance mind and body.
Add more cold-water fish to your diet Studies by the National Institutes for Health show that the omega3 fatty acids present in oil-rich, cold-water fish, such as salmon, sardines, mackerel and herring are also a natural stimulant of serotonin production.
As such, researchers believe eating more omega3-rich fish provides natural help for depression, as well as, other psychological disturbances.
Of course, many people worry about mercury and other toxins showing up in many of these fish sources.
If you're not comfortable with eating fish for this reason, you can always get a healthy dose of omega3s with a couple of tablespoons of ground flaxseed added to a salad, soup or bowl of cereal every day.
Maintain social relationships and activities It is well-known that depression can increase feelings of loneliness and isolation.
This is why it is so important to spend time with family and friends.
Increasing feelings of being connected to the world can come from simple things such as interacting with a pet, volunteering in your community and spending time in nature.
Stay away from substances that produce depressant effects You may think having a cocktail or two makes you feel better, but in truth, can have a depressant effect.
Drugs such as antihistamines and sedatives also have a negative effect on depression.
Caffeine is also a known culprit for interfering with mood and making symptoms of depression worse.
And if one of your symptoms is insomnia, caffeine can make it much worse.
Because of its mood-altering effects, nicotine also falls into this depressant substances category.
The risk of depression in smokers is significantly higher than that of people who don't smoke.
These natural methods are inexpensive and easy to take advantage of.
That being said, however, if your symptoms are at a level that makes it difficult for you to get through your normal day, you should speak with your doctor as soon as possible to determine if there is an underlying medical issue which needs to be immediately addressed.
Even if you're diagnosed with a severe degree of clinical depression and require pharmaceutical help for depression you can still add these lifestyle adjustments to your daily routine to boost relief from your symptoms.
If this describes your current experience with this disorder you may want to try some natural methods which are readily available, safe and easy to use.
In many cases, the effectiveness of many of these approaches can be equal to or better than antidepressant drugs.
Start by making some of these simple changes to your lifestyle.
Get physically active Regular physical activity is known to work as a natural antidepressant.
Compared to a month's supply of Lexipro which costs a little over $100, exercise is free and a lot more fun.
You can walk, run, dance, bike or swim your way to mental health.
The endorphins released in your brain during physical activity increases your levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter responsible for lifting mood.
Serotonin can also distract you away from negative thinking, shield you from stress, and build your self-esteem.
For best results, most medical experts recommend at least forty-five minutes of brisk exercise, five days per week.
Practice daily relaxation At least once a day, try to set some time aside to relax.
You can begin with simple deep breathing exercises.
If you find you get good results with this technique you can use it to ease into daily meditation.
Then if you really want to step things up, regular yoga practice is a great way to balance mind and body.
Add more cold-water fish to your diet Studies by the National Institutes for Health show that the omega3 fatty acids present in oil-rich, cold-water fish, such as salmon, sardines, mackerel and herring are also a natural stimulant of serotonin production.
As such, researchers believe eating more omega3-rich fish provides natural help for depression, as well as, other psychological disturbances.
Of course, many people worry about mercury and other toxins showing up in many of these fish sources.
If you're not comfortable with eating fish for this reason, you can always get a healthy dose of omega3s with a couple of tablespoons of ground flaxseed added to a salad, soup or bowl of cereal every day.
Maintain social relationships and activities It is well-known that depression can increase feelings of loneliness and isolation.
This is why it is so important to spend time with family and friends.
Increasing feelings of being connected to the world can come from simple things such as interacting with a pet, volunteering in your community and spending time in nature.
Stay away from substances that produce depressant effects You may think having a cocktail or two makes you feel better, but in truth, can have a depressant effect.
Drugs such as antihistamines and sedatives also have a negative effect on depression.
Caffeine is also a known culprit for interfering with mood and making symptoms of depression worse.
And if one of your symptoms is insomnia, caffeine can make it much worse.
Because of its mood-altering effects, nicotine also falls into this depressant substances category.
The risk of depression in smokers is significantly higher than that of people who don't smoke.
These natural methods are inexpensive and easy to take advantage of.
That being said, however, if your symptoms are at a level that makes it difficult for you to get through your normal day, you should speak with your doctor as soon as possible to determine if there is an underlying medical issue which needs to be immediately addressed.
Even if you're diagnosed with a severe degree of clinical depression and require pharmaceutical help for depression you can still add these lifestyle adjustments to your daily routine to boost relief from your symptoms.
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