There are many drugs produced that are prescribed for depression – this article focuses on five natural remedies for depression. In the USA approximately 10% of the population experience the symptoms of depression, although the majority will not seek treatment.
The strategies suggested are effective individually but more powerful if a combination of all five is employed. The focus here is on the following:
1) Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Assists in brain function and research has shown that countries where the population eat a lot of fish (for instance Japan and China) the incidence of depression is ten times less than the USA! You get this wonder nutrient for eating salmon,anchovies and sardines.
If you are not partial to fish then you can supplement with capsules. Krill oil is also great for getting your quota of Omega-3.
Make sure you buy a brand that has the main ingredients are DHA and EPA as these are depression fighting specific. Keep your capsules in the fridge as they will go off if left at room temperature for more than a day.
Take your capsules prior to meals and, of course, talk to your doctor regarding interaction with other medication you may be taking.
2) Dietary Adjustment
Ok, so here is where some of you may turn off, but stay with me. You cannot underestimate the impact certain foods or additives have on your body chemistry. Take sugar for instance.
By reducing the amount of sugar in your diet you can avoid those sugar highs and inevitable crashes that can set off anxiety and panic attacks. These episodes can be intimately related to depression.
The same can be said for alcohol. Sure, the initial feeling of having a few drinks is one of relaxation and a lifting of worries. After that wears off you are left with the mood swings and negative thinking that is the hallmark of depression.
(3) Vitamin B6 and Magnesium
Very few of us have the perfect diet and provide our bodies with the balance of vitamins, minerals and enzymes required for healthy function. All the mentioned supplements have been shown to be effective in improving depression.
You need both Magnesium and Vitamin B6 to produce serotonin and dopamine – the feel good chemicals your body manufactures. Magnesium is consumed voraciously by the body during stress, leaving you shaky and down. You can get your magnesium from eating nuts, whole grains and vegetables that have a dark green tinge such as Broccoli.
A brisk walk every day for half an hour or a gentle bicycle ride is enough to get the feel good chemicals surging through your body. Exercise has been proven to lift mood and have a positive effect on your health. It is also the least expensive and most easily managed of the natural remedies for depression.
(5) Sunshine
In some countries such as Sweden where there are long periods of time without sunshine, light therapy is the treatment of choice. A large portion of Sweden’s population experience Seasonally Affected Depression Syndrome (SADs) because of the lack of sunshine available.
Just get out in the sun (not at the hottest part of the day) and combine your sunbathing with some exercise! Sunlight lifts mood and triggers the body to produce feel good chemicals.
This is by far one of the most pleasurable natural remedies for depression.
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