Wondering how to fight depression without medication? We’ve got you covered.
- Medication can be expensive and cause adverse effects, but natural treatments like St. John’s Wort prove to be a viable solution.
- While there’s currently no cure for depression, many treatments are available to alleviate or even stop symptoms for good.
- Around 280 million people around the world have depression, according to WHO (World Health Organization).
- Caution: Complementary medicine like herbal supplements isn’t suitable for everyone. Always speak to yourhealthcare provider before trying out alternative treatments such as homeopathy.
Suppose you or someone you know has depression. In that case, you know that prescription antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Prozac (fluoxetine) and Zoloft (sertraline), can majorly help manage the symptoms. Unfortunately, these medications come with some unwanted side effects, and, not to mention, they’re not exactly very light on your pocket. Here in this post, we’ll be discussing five natural ways you can attempt to combat depression. Let’s take a look, shall we?
St John’s Wort
The flowering shrub St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) is native to Europe. Its name comes from the fact that it often blooms on the birthday of John the Baptist. St. John’s wort flowers and leaves contain active compounds such as hyperforin.
Although St. John’s wort is widely regarded to improve your mood and provide some relief from depression, its mechanism of action is unknown. Hypericin and hyperforin, two key components in the herb, have been linked to an increase in the amounts of certain brain neurotransmitters, including serotonin. Those who suffer from depression frequently have low serotonin and other neurotransmitter levels.
Some people may want to try St. John’s wort as a natural treatment for depression instead of taking antidepressants that can increase serotonin levels because St. John’s wort has fewer side effects than medicines.
Boost Your Energy and Mood with Exercise!
If you have depression, the last thing on your mind would be exercising your heart out. But research shows that’s the very thing that you might need.
A study at Duke University has shown that moderate aerobic exercise three times a week is just as helpful in the short term as antidepressant medication in reducing symptoms of depression.
Exercise increases endorphins, endocannabinoids, and dopamine – happy hormones for the body. Additionally, people who continued to exercise after the initial experiment were less likely to suffer from depression, according to the study.
Mindfulness And Meditation
A type of relaxation that focuses on your breath, a word, or a mantra to help you clear your thoughts, meditation may help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms when done regularly. Meditation and other forms of mindfulness training help people learn to pay attention to the present moment. We recommend the app Headspace.
Yoga for Physical and Mental Transformation
Yoga is a form of exercise that involves both the mind and the body. A typical yoga session includes a series of positions that work to develop balance, flexibility, strength, and attention. Poses are believed to:
- De-stress
- Align your spine correctly
- Enhance mental acuity
- Relax and soothe your soul
- Maintain a healthy body weight
Several studies, notably those at the University of Westminster, show that yoga may be effective in reducing depressive symptoms.
Music Therapy
Music therapy is beneficial in enhancing moods among those suffering from depression. Music stimulates oxytocin, a hormone related to positive, happy feelings.
It involves listening to music designed to encourage relaxation and optimism, a popular choice being classical or jazz music. Singing is also included sometimes during therapy.
Key Takeaways
As you’ve learned, you can indeed try to cope with the symptoms you’re facing in an affordable yet efficient way. Always remember depression never defines who you are and that you have a lot to offer the world. If you require immediate help, please seek the assistance of the hotlines provided in this link.
We hope you found this post helpful and if you enjoyed reading it, please leave a comment below on what activity you do to boost your mood.