Content

• Steps

Prescription antidepressants aren't the only solution to depression. There are many effective and natural ways to deal with depression.

Steps

1. 1 Use medicinal herbs. They have been used at all times to treat ailments, including depression. If you prefer to skip traditional treatments (such as antidepressants), then herbal medicines are an alternative option for dealing with depression and stress.
   • There are dozens of medicinal herbs for depression that are very effective.
2. 2 Go in for sports. Depression often causes feelings of helplessness that leads to inactivity, so the last thing you want to do is exercise. But research has shown that regular, moderate physical activity can reduce depression in the same way as medication.
   • Exercise affects the brain in several ways. Sports can rid you of negative, unproductive thoughts and can also help you get back to your previous level of activity. Movement creates emotion.
   • Exercise can often accelerate the cycle of emotion and energy, inspiring you to get back to work and connecting with your friends and family, providing you with the motivation to stay on track. These connections are essential to combat depression.
3. 3 Supplements for depression. Depression supplements usually consist of a combination of several medicinal plants and vitamins that help you get rid of depression. The Ministry of Health does not regulate the release of such supplements, so be careful when choosing a safe and effective remedy.
   • However, just because these supplements are all natural doesn't mean you can't overdose, because you don't. Particular attention should be paid to taking anti-depression supplements along with prescription medications. It is very important to ask your doctor if it is safe to combine any dietary supplement with traditional medical medicines.
4. 4 Diet for depression. Everyone knows food is soothing. While diet alone does not cure depression, it can definitely help lift your spirits and provide yourself with the energy to motivate you.
   • What to include in your diet:
     • Eat a balanced diet with adequate protein, fat, and complex carbohydrates
     • Eat lean protein sources such as fish, poultry, legumes, nuts, and seeds
     • Try adding at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day.
     • Choose 'fresh' food over processed or frozen
   • What to exclude from the diet:
     • Avoid or reduce the amount of alcohol, sugar, and caffeine (including sodas)
     • Avoid fast food and other junk food that is low in nutrients
     • Avoid or reduce sugar and artificial sugar substitutes
5. 5 Hypnosis. Hypnosis therapy or hypnotherapy teaches you to mentally fight and refute the negative, pessimistic thoughts that often fuel your depression. Using deep breathing, combined with imagination and suggestion, the process introduces new strategies to combat in your mind. All of this leads to a mental attitude to reject negative and depressive thoughts and establish new, inspiring thoughts.
   • Hypnotherapy can be very effective in treating depression, especially when combined with other therapies.
6. 6 Meditation. The ancient discipline of meditation is increasingly being accepted by traditional medical circles as a powerful healing tool. It has been shown to have medical benefits in many aspects, including lowering blood pressure and stress levels. The most beneficial and delicate form of meditation for your depression is the repetition technique, which is performed aloud or silently using a word, sound, symbol, mantra, prayer, movement, or breath. Any practice that can induce a relaxation response in you, as long as it uses repetitions.
   • The relaxation response you get during meditation helps slow your metabolism, slow your heart rate and blood pressure, and helps slow down your breathing and brain function.
7. 7 Light therapy. Light therapy (also known as phototherapy) consists of being exposed to daylight or specific light waves using lasers, LEDs, fluorescent lights, dichroic lights, and very bright light at specific times and, in some cases, at specific times of the day. Bright light shining into the eyes treats mental disorders such as depression. A meta-analysis of bright light light therapy by the American Psychiatric Association found it to be more effective than placebo - usually dim light - for seasonal and non-seasonal depression, with similar effects to traditional antidepressants.