Natural Depression Remedies
Natural depression remedies can help you get relief from depression without the risks and side effects of pharmaceutical treatment. While drug therapy is sometimes necessary, you might be able to forego drug therapy and opt for natural depression treatment instead if you have mild to moderate depression. Effectively using natural methods for treating depression requires a holistic approach that takes into account a variety of factors that may cause or exacerbate depression.
Instructions
1. Before taking supplements or using other natural depression remedies, be sure to talk to your doctor. Make sure the herbs and supplements you are considering are safe based on your health history, and find out whether there are any contraindications or possible drug interactions if you are currently taking any medications.
2. Consider taking supplements of B vitamins, zinc, potassium, and magnesium. Deficiencies of these nutrients may play a role in depression. You may want to try the supplements in amounts that don't exceed the safe daily limit, or before you start taking them, ask your doctor to perform simple blood tests to check your levels of these nutrients. This can give you better sense of whether vitamin deficiency is a factor in your depression, and your doctor can help you tailor a therapeutic dose of these supplements.
3. Consider taking St. John's Wort. This is perhaps one of the most well-known natural depression remedies. In fact, it's licensed in some European countries as a remedy for mild to moderate depression and for sleep disturbances. Peer-reviewed medical studies have shown that St. John's Wort can be as effective as drug therapy in treating mild to moderate depression.
4. Consider taking 5-HTP. This is a chemical precursor to serotonin, an important brain chemical that controls mood and behavior. 5-HTP has also been shown to be effective in clinical studies.
5. Natural depression remedies don't just involve supplements - behavioral modifications are also important. Learning to control negative thoughts is a key part of beating depression naturally. Negative thinking can easily gain momentum, since depression causes negativity, and negative thoughts make depression worse. Monitor your thought-life and correct any negative thinking as soon as it occurs. A journal can be an effective tool for this, as can staying accountable to a trusted friend, or even through an online support forum for those suffering from depression.
6. Get more sunlight. Depression can sometimes be helped by exposure to natural light. If you live in an area that doesn't get much sun, look into light boxes for depression. Light boxes are lamps that emit full-spectrum light. Light therapy works by altering the body's circadian rhythms and suppressing the release of melatonin during the day, helping to get the body's melatonin cycle back on track. However, St. John's Wort is a photosynthesizing substance that cannot be taken during light therapy.
7. Eat a whole foods diet that includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Eating a junk-food diet can rob the body of key nutrients, making you more vulnerable to depression.
8. For severe depression symptoms, be sure to seek the care of a qualified medical professional.
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