Can natural methods help with your depression? The answer is an overwhelming yes. Many people turn to alternative or complementary therapy for their depression because they don’t want to take medication or are uncomfortable going for counseling.
Find out how you can overcome your depression with natural treatments with these easy but effective techniques:
Exercise
30 minutes of properly performed moderate aerobic exercise three days a week was as effective as antidepressants in treating symptoms of mild to moderate depression.
Mind-Body Therapies
• Relaxation Techniques
Relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation, relaxation imagery, and autogenic training are not as effective as psychological therapies like cognitive-behavior therapy, but can help you to take charge again in an easy and gentle way. Practicing these will restore a small level of energy on which you can build to gradually make yourself feel better over time.
• Meditation
Daily meditation practices can help alleviate stress, anxiety, and some symptoms of depression. Meditation is a form of relaxation through which people try to clear their heads by focusing on their breathing or a word, otherwise known as a mantra.
• Yoga
Yoga is a mind-body exercise that moves people through a series of poses that help improve balance, flexibility, strength, and focus, which are thought to help align the spine, improve mental clarity, and rejuvenate the nervous system.
• Guided Imagery
Guided imagery uses the power of positive thinking to help people attain something specific. It is a form of meditation in which people envision their goals in as much detail as they can.
• Music Therapy
Music therapy involves listening to music that induces relaxation and a positive mood and has been used to help improve the moods of people with depression.
Supplements
• St. John’s Wort
St. John’s wort does not appear to be effective in treating major depression though it may benefit people with mild to moderate forms.
• S-adenosyl-L-methionine
S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM-e) is a substance that occurs naturally in the body and may be more effective than a placebo but less effective when tested against standard forms of depression treatment.
• 5-Hydroxytryptophan
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) works by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical associated with mood, sleep, appetite, and other functions.
• Kava
Kava is a root from the kava plant used to make a drink known for its sedative and anesthetic properties. It is most commonly seen as an ingredient in relaxing teas, but it has also been used for stress release, mood elevation, and other calming effects.
Sources:
http://www.squidoo.com/depression-10-ways-to-beat-the-blues-naturally
http://www.wikihow.com/Ease-Depression-with-Relaxation-Techniques
http://health.yahoo.net/health/depression/natural-therapies
