Beat Depression Naturally

As the number of people who suffer from anxiety, stress, and depression climb, many people are turning to prescription drugs or unhealthy habits for relief. The most common non-prescription ways to ease depression: eating sugary foods or drinking caffeinated beverages, actually worsen the symptoms of anxiety and depression. And pharmaceutical drugs sometimes don't help enough, have undesirable side effects, or, worse, don't help at all.

So what is the best way to deal with anxiety and depression? The best approach is deceptively simple: adopt a healthy lifestyle, including balanced and nutritious meals, adequate sleep, and regular exercise. At first it may seem overwhelming to make so many lifestyle changes, but lifestyle change is the most effective way to beat depression. Just make one small change at a time; start small and slowly build towards a healthier lifestyle.

A Healthy Lifestyle Combats Depression and Anxiety

A balanced lifestyle is the best natural treatment for depression because adopting a healthy lifestyle naturally raises levels of neurotransmitters and natural mood-elevators in the brain. Start
by eating three meals a day at approximately the same time every day and make sure each meal includes adequate lo-fat protein, at least two plants (fruit or vegetables in their least processed forms) and as little sugar as possible (sugar aggravates anxiety and depression). Add daily exercise; which can be fit into even the busiest schedule by starting with a 10-minute walk. Walk on your lunch break and go back to work refreshed, or go for an after-dinner stroll with a friend or family member, or walk in place while watching TV; however you fit it in, just make it be at a time that is so convenient that you will be able to walk every day. Walking, especially when paired with other small changes (taking the stairs instead of elevator, or parking a little farther from store) can have dramatic effects on both physical and mental health.

St. John's Wort as a Natural Remedy for Depression and Anxiety

You may want to consider adding natural remedies for depression such as St. Johns Wort. In Europe St. John's Wort is prescribed 5 times as often as Prozac for mild to moderate depression. Found to be as effective as prescription antidepressants, St. John's Wort also reduces stress and improves sleep. The chemical responsible for these benefits is hypercin, which increases levels of the brain's natural mood elevating chemical serotonin. St. John's Wort causes only minor side effects such as dry mouth and restlessness. A typical dose is
300mg daily of extract containing 0.3% hypericin. After a week if you see no improvement, try 600mg for a week, check again, and move up to 900mg if necessary. After 8 weeks, stop taking it and assess your mood. St. John's Wort can be taken indefinitely if necessary. Do not combine St. John's Wort with prescription SSRI (serotonin reuptake inhibitors) antidepressants such as Prozac, Paxil, or Zoloft because the herb can increase the affects of these drugs.

Essential Oils Can Ease Depression and Anxiety

Aromatherapy can also be very effective in the treatment of depression. Aromatherapy is the medical practice of using natural scents to stimulate the olfactory nerves in order to provoke
emotional responses in the limbic system. Certain scents have been proven to help relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression. Try lemon, eucalyptus, cinnamon and lavender or combine these scents in a way that is pleasing to you. Add 6-8 drops essential oil to the bath, or use an essential oils scent diffuser to infuse your home with therapeutic scents. Many natural health food stores sell essential oil sticks which come in a lipstick tube-type container for portable relief. Be sure to try scented massage oils and perfumes too.

Cognitive Therapy to Manage Depression and Anxiety

Research shows that "talk therapy" works better than drugs at easing severe depression. Cognitive therapy focuses on managing moods by changing negative beliefs and has been proven in some cases to work even better than prescription drugs. You can get cognitive therapy through a licensed practitioner or learn about it by reading some of the many self-help books which focus on cognitive therapy, positive thinking and taking charge of your thoughts.

Be sure to consult with your doctor before making any drastic lifestyle changes and before starting an exercise program. Do not begin taking supplements or stop taking prescription drugs
without first consulting your doctor. Your health is your responsibility; be sure to use discernment regarding this, or any other information found on the internet, in order to make wise and
healthy choices that are right for you.