Choosing the Right Natural Cures for Depression
Natural cures for depression can often be as beneficial as prescription antidepressants as long as you choose the right ones for you. If you have spoken to your doctor and have tried to talk to a counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist and are either dissatisfied with conventional treatments or cannot use them for one reason or another (which could include adverse reactions, undesirable side effects, or conflicts with other health conditions or medications), then you may want to find an alternative to these medications.
Once you have received a medical diagnosis of being depressed, then it is a good idea to examine all of your options. Natural cures for depression may offer a gentler, more long-term option that bring you the effective results you need to overcome your condition.
What are these natural cures for depression? There are far too many to be included in a single list.
However, the following are the primary categories in which they fall:
· Diet – Several types of foods and specific nutrients can be very helpful to giving the serotonin levels in your brain a healthy boost. These include foods such as bananas, turkey, soy and fish that is high in Omega-3. Equally, lowering the intake of refined carbohydrates and refined sugars is important to maintaining a good mood. Sugars as a whole can be addictive to people with mental illness and can cause issues such as unstable blood sugar levels, which can raise stress.
· Herbal Supplements – Many herbs can alter the chemistry of the brain, improving the mood and helping you to battle depression more effectively. The most commonly associated with this benefit is St. John’s Wort, which can, in some people, have an effect that is similar to antidepressant medication and is sometimes just as powerful. That said, this herb should never be combined with other medications. Half of all people with anxiety, sleep disorders, and depression in Germany are treated with St. John’s Wort.
· Nutritional Supplements – Many vitamins and nutrients can play a important role in keeping the body working at its best and discouraging side effects such as depression, fatigue, and irritability, which can occur when the body is struggling or deficient in nutrients. Important nutritional supplements to consider include Omega-3 fish oils and B vitamins such as B1, B3, B6, and B12.
· Exercise – Exercise can help you fight depression on many levels. Not only does it encourage a healthier body and control weight, but it also improves sleep, boosts your energy levels, and makes you feel good about the way you look. These are all key to feeling more positive in your life. When you exercise, your brain also increases the amount of endorphins it produces. Endorphins are chemicals which act as mood elevators.
These are only a few of the natural cures for depression that are available to you. Speak with your doctor before beginning any depression therapy.