Natural Depression Help

Being a recovering depressed person, I’ve read and researched a ton about natural depression help and how to improve my mental health and my mood naturally. Full disclosure, I was on and off antidepressants for years including prosac, zoloft and paxil before I stumbled upon what worked miracles for me which I will talk about later in this post.

First though, there are several ways you may improve depression and feel better without pharmaceuticals. I think it’s encouraging there are natural ways to combat chronic depression, including:

• Exercise regularly: Physical activity can boost mood and reduce symptoms of depression. Moving just helps you feel better. In fact, regular physical activity has been shown to have a significant positive effect on symptoms of depression. Exercise releases endorphins, natural mood-boosting chemicals in the body, and can also improve self-esteem and reduce stress. When you exercise, you’re doing something positive for your body as well as your mind. I find when I feel myself getting stronger and in better shape, I just feel better, both physically and mentally. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, or an online exercise class five days a week. You may want to try what I do, and here’s a 14 day free trial for you so you can check it out with no commitment: https://cherylloves.me/Kathy14DayFreeWorkout
• Mindfulness meditation: Practicing mindfulness meditation involves focusing on the present moment and accepting thoughts and feelings without judgment. This can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, and increase well-being. Mindfulness meditation can be practiced through guided meditations, yoga, or simply by paying attention to your breath. You may not feel you’re very good at meditating and breath focus in the beginning, but if you stick with it, you’ll find you look forward to just enjoying a break from everything and focusing on your breath for a few minutes. I use the Balance app and like it very much. It’s currently free for the first year, so now is a good time to try it out and see if it helps you too!
• Good sleep habits: Sleep is an important factor in overall health and well-being. Depressed individuals often have trouble sleeping or wake up feeling unrested. Waking up at 3 or 4 am is a pretty common symptom associated with depression. Maintaining good sleep habits, such as sticking to a regular sleep schedule, avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bed, and creating a relaxing sleep environment can improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression. Avoid TV and screen time an hour before you go to bed, and make sure your bedroom is dark.
• Social support: Having a strong support system can help combat depression by providing emotional and practical support. Spending time with loved ones, seeking therapy or counseling, or joining a support group can help reduce feelings of isolation and provide a sense of belonging. Talking to others who understand your experience can help you feel validated and supported. Talking to a therapist or counselor can help you understand and manage your feelings.
• Challenging negative thoughts: Depressed individuals often have persistent negative thoughts that contribute to their symptoms. Recognizing and challenging these thoughts can help improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression. Your mind can be a whirlwind of negative thinking that just doesn’t stop. You can get help with this through cognitive-behavioral therapy, self-reflection, or journaling. The goal is to identify and change negative thought patterns and replace them with more positive and realistic perspectives. Journaling can be a significant help as you can brain dump what’s swirling around in your head. Sometimes getting it down on paper makes a big difference!
• Purposeful activities: Engaging in activities with a sense of purpose or meaning can provide a sense of accomplishment and improve overall well-being. This could include volunteering, pursuing a hobby, or taking on a new challenge. Learn to play an instrument or learn a new language. Having a sense of purpose can give individuals a reason to get up in the morning and can provide a sense of direction and fulfillment. Plus it’s good for your brain to keep learning. Doing things that bring joy and meaning can help reduce symptoms of depression and improve mood.
• Healthy diet: Eating a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and avoiding processed foods and added sugars, can improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression. A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in fatty fish, can also help alleviate symptoms of depression. Additionally, reducing caffeine and alcohol consumption can also improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression.

This last suggestion was the magic bullet for me. Changing my diet and getting rid of gluten, dairy, sugar, processed foods and the like was the natural depression help that worked and made a huge difference for me. I was pretty draconian in my eating habits change and not everyone is up for that I know.

You may want to consider herbal supplements. Some herbal supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids, St. John’s Wort and Saffron, may help alleviate symptoms of depression. I also found SAMe to be helpful in maintaining a better mood. However, before taking any supplement, it’s important to consult with your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional, and don’t ever stop taking any prescribed pharmaceutical drugs without the advice and counsel of your health care provider. Getting off antidepressants can be tricky; ask me how I know.

It’s important to note that these methods of natural depression help may not work for everyone, and seeking professional help can be crucial for many people in treating chronic depression.

Helping You Achieve Major Wellness!

Cheryl

Cheryl A Major, CNWC

I’m author, health coach, and entrepreneur Cheryl A Major, and I would love to connect with you. If you’re new to the world of creating a better mindset for yourself, please check out my training on how to do just that at Embrace Optimism. Learn how to improve your mindset and create a happier and more positive life for yourself and those around you.

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