subject: Curing Depression Naturally [print this page] Depression can strike anyone at any point in their life. It may be after suffering a tremendous loss, after giving birth, a divorce, or worse yet, it may just be chronic no matter what is going in your life. Whatever the case may be, depression is surmountable, and drugs/medications are not always necessary. Curing depression is a goal that can be achieved by putting a few pieces of a puzzle together.
VITAMINS AND SUPPLEMENTS
One of the first steps to feeling better is to make sure you are taking a good daily multivitamin. The food that we buy at the grocery store is not as fresh as we may think it is, and therefore does not carry its full nutritional weight. Not one of us can get the daily recommended allowance of vitamins and minerals solely from the food we eat. So you will want a vitamin that will help offset this deficiency. Do some research online to find a multivitamin that will provide what you need daily, and that fits your budget.
There is an herb called 5-HTP that is known to help with depression. The name 5-HTP is short for hydroxytryptophan. What this herb does is balance out the serotonin in the brain. Serotonin helps steady your mood and/or mood swings making you feel more balanced. This naturally increases production of melatonin which helps you get a good nights rest (best to take this supplement about an hour before bed). Another supplement to take a look at is L-Theanine. This is based on the same principles at 5-HTP but without the drowsiness so you can take it in the morning. Do some research and try the one you think will work best.
FOOD
We know already that the food we buy at the grocery store isnt packed with nutrition, and we all know eating fatty foods, processed foods, and food filled with sugar will make you feel horrible. But the food subject isnt a lost cause. Do your best in choosing healthier alternatives to the foods you love. You dont have to go organic but you will want to lean more toward whole foods: fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats (if you must), lean dairy products (if you must), etc. Lay off the booze and soft drinks too. Alcohol is an anti-depressant and soft drinks are full of sugar. Even diet soft drinks are not wise as they are full of chemicals to make them diet. Try to appreciate the amazing healing properties of good, old-fashioned water. So help your body along the way by eating these lighter and healthier foods and leaving alcohol and soft drinks alone. You will notice a difference almost immediately in how you feel.
EXERCISE
Another part of the puzzle is exercise. No one likes to hear that word. The amazing thing with exercise is that it doesnt have to be a 3-hour ordeal at a sweaty gym in order to reap benefits. You can start with walking around your block or jumping on a mini trampoline while you watch the news. Take the stairs at work instead. Park farther away in the parking lot when you do the grocery shopping. Once your body is accustomed to these simple changes, build up to walking longer or even jogging a little. The point is that youre out there doing something. Something is better than nothing. You want all the endorphins you can get and exercise will help you achieve an endorphin high.
PEOPLE
Lets talk about your friends. Do you have upbeat, positive friends that make you laugh? Are they goal-oriented? Are they happy with their lives and relationships? Or do they constantly barrage you with a litany of complaints about their health, money, significant others, children, work, etc. If that is the case, think about taking a small step back from them. In order to heal, you will want to surround yourself with people that will sweep you up in their positivity, not suck you into a negative vortex. Rent comedies and stand-up routine DVDs, go to an art gallery, the zoo, the theatre. Go places that allow you to immerse yourself in humor and beauty. Never underestimate the power of these seemingly simple things and the impact they will have on how you feel.
ALTERNATIVE THERAPY
A subject that could be a book all on its own is alternative therapies. There are a multitude of choices available now: homeopathy, acupuncture, reflexology, EFT, hypnosis, meditation therapy, chakra balancing, etc. Do some research on each of them and find the one that resonates with you. These therapies help your body heal at a quicker rate but in a soothing way. They will help balance out your energy and bring calm, balance, and peace to your mind and body.
The above steps may seem too simple, but when put together they make for an arsenal that cannot be beat. They will collectively help bring you safely across the water to the land of the free positive, happy, balanced, and looking forward to the life ahead of you.
