Natural Treatment for Depression offers Numerous Choices
Doctor-aided treatment for depression includes a variety of anti-depressant medications and lifestyle changes. Natural treatment for depression includes lifestyle changes, the addition of exercise, natural supplements, and others. Many patients today seek relief from depression via natural means rather than treatments provided from the doctor.
With the plethora of natural treatment for depression options available, it is easy to find a cure suitable to your needs. If you’re battling depression and seek to cure the condition naturally, the available options are sure to help you finally conquer the fight.
Natural Treatment for Depression: Your Options
Natural treatments for depression are used by thousands of men and women who seek to void the potential consequences of use of an anti-depressant. These medications often times come with a slew of side effects, ranging from suicidal thoughts to loss of appetite. Natural treatments, on the other hand, are safe and effective for adults 18 years of age or older. Most are easy to use without the worry of any side effects whatsoever.
Lifestyle Changes
One of the best natural treatment for depression options is lifestyle changes. Changing the way that you do things just a bit offers tremendous impact in the fight against this mental health condition. Lifestyle changes are sometimes difficult to make, but very much worth the effort. Some of the lifestyle changes you can make to improve signs and symptoms of depression include:
- Watch what you put on your plate! A diet consisting of processed, fatty, greasy or otherwise unhealthy foods may contribute to depression. Instead, consume fresh fruits and vegetables, along with fish and lean meats.
- If you are inactive, get up and at ‘em. Just 30 minutes of exercise each day can have a dramatic effect on the way that you feel. Take a walk. The more active you are, the more endorphins in the brain you’ll stimulate, thus releasing serotonin, or the happy substance in the brain.
- Make sure that you get the recommended amounts of sleep (7 to 8 hours for adults) each night.
Supplements
For many people, supplements provide a wonderful natural treatment for depression. OTC supplements have provided successful results for many patients over the years. While these supplements are all-natural and safe, they shouldn’t be combined with other medications for depression as complications could become serious when mixed.
Look for natural anti-depressant supplements (sold at health food stores such as GNC or your local organic grocery store)
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- 5-HTP
- GABA
- St. John’s Wort
- Saffron
Many supplements containing these ingredients can be found at health food stores. Not each supplement is created with the same high-quality ingredients, so make sure that the time to research and compare is taken before making a supplement purchase.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a Chinese practice that has been used for thousands of years in treatment of a variety of ailments. New research published inside of the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine indicates that acupuncture may be as effective as an anti-depressant when treating depression. Additional studies concur the same findings, with some even offering the benefit of sexual functioning improvement after 12 weeks of acupuncture usage.