Holistic cures for depression

Depression in America

An estimated one in ten adults across America report suffering from depression at some point in their life. Depression can disrupt anyone’s life. It is reported that people suffering from depression can have a hard time recovering from illness, are likely to miss work, and may become predisposed to addiction. This is a serious condition which needs serious help. Depression is often “treated” with psychiatric drugs like Prozac, Luvox, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, and Cymbalta. These drugs have dangerous side effects and can even cause dependence and addiction. Even without the long list of severe side effects, such as aggression and suicidal thoughts and actions, the factor of drug addiction alone is enough to steer many of us away from the pharmaceutical route.

Eight Holistic Cures

There are other solutions to depression besides psychoactive drugs. The holistic or natural route is increasingly spotlighted and preferred as it does not involve all the complications and health risks of drug use. Here are just eight of many holistic solutions:

1. Ensure you are eating a nutritious diet and are sleeping consistently 

Improper eating habits can lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies which can cause a person to feel depressed. Ensuring your diet is healthy and nutritious can solve the majority of these dietary depressors. A key part of a good diet is plenty for fruit and vegetables. Fruits, veggies, and nuts are high in essential vitamins and minerals that all human beings need. Most experts recommend 7 ½ - 9 hours of sleep every night for adults. For some people, this amount of sleep is simply impossible. However, it’s important to set up your schedule and your life to get at least 7 ½ solid hours of sleep per night.

2. Take your vitamins 

While pretty much everyone should take some type of multi-vitamin, there are certain vitamins that help specifically with depression. These vitamins are:

• Vitamin D
• Omega 3 (Fish oil)
• Vitamin B1
• Vitamin B5
• Vitamin B6 
• Vitamin B12

3.  Remove refined sugar and artificial sweeteners from your diet

Sugar can make you feel good in the short term, but after the sugar high wears off all you feel is tired or bloated. Removing refined sugar products like cookies and candy from your diet will help remove that crash from your day. Artificial sweeteners are factually just as bad, or worse, than processed sugar. The artificial sweetener aspartame has been linked to depression. More items contain aspartame than you probably realize. Check the ingredients of anything marked “sugar free.” It could have aspartame. Barring allergies, opt instead for natural sweeteners like honey or stevia.

4. Get exercise

 Everyone is telling you to eat right and exercise. Well, it’s time to listen in. Exercising can increase endorphins – which is the chemical your body naturally makes when you’re happy. So, it’s time to get outside, get moving, and exercise. Walking, running, basketball, football, baseball, tennis, weights, aerobics – pick one and do it.

5. Laugh Laughter is a stress reliever and a depression fighter.

It increases good hormones, relaxes you, and generally makes things more pleasant. So, read a funny book, talk to that friend who always cracks you up, take five minutes to watch a comedy skit on YouTube, or do something with people you enjoy.

6. Do something new

Changing up your everyday routine will make you feel less stuck in a rut and more adventurous. Adventure and challenge provide focus and fun. So, volunteer at the youth center, learn Italian, take up the guitar, or go on a road trip. Break up the routine.

7. Set goals for yourself If you feel depressed, set up and reach for new goals.

Perhaps you always wanted to write a book. Join the National Novel Writing Month movement or just start writing. Setting goals, big and small, and working towards their attainment can work wonders for your self-esteem and state of mind. Don’t hold back.

8. Find out about allergies or deficiencies

Depression can be caused by allergies, other illnesses, or nutritional deficiencies. Some drugs can actually make the situation worse because they aren’t fighting the correct cause – they are only fighting a symptom. Get your health looked into thoroughly. A physical, treatable condition could be at the root of the problem, causing a feeling of depression.

Doing something about it

While depression is a major problem in the US, there are methods of dealing with it that don’t involve taking dangerous and addictive medication. While there is nothing wrong with seeing a doctor for your depression, the “pill to mask a symptom” approach is proving entirely unworkable. It is a very smart idea to look into how your nutrition and all the other factors noted above can affect your mental health. When you have gone through these systematically, you many find you are no longer depressed – and that would be worth it!

Sources

www.CDC.gov
www.HelpGuide.org
www.LiveStrong.org