5 Natural Remedies for Depression

But that’s not exactly true. Even though some medications help with the symptoms, they may not address the real problem. In some cases, they’re much-needed and helpful in the short term. However, some studies question their long term effectiveness. Some suspect that after five years they’ll turn an occasional depression chronic.

Not to mention that some of these medications have negative side effects.  Sometimes they are very serious. It’s true, there are times we need medication. But we should always try to cut back whenever possible.

There’s good news though! We can use natural remedies for depression. Here are five good, natural ways to improve your mood.

1. Eat well

The food we put in our body has the ability to improve or worsen our moods. A person in a depressed state needs a diet rich in certain vitamins and minerals. Eat foods containing these nutrients:

• Vitamins C and D. Find them in citrus fruits, broccoli, melon, green peppers, fish, eggs, and milk, among other things.
• Iron and zinc. They’re in red meat, fish, shellfish, egg yolks, chocolate, peanuts, sausage, butter, etc.
• Folic acid. You can get it in greens, citrus fruits, beans, wheat, and milk.
• Omega 3. In general, you can find it in fish.
• Selenium. Eat lentils, peas, peanuts, peanut butter, and other nuts.

Eating a healthy diet won’t show results overnight. But with a bit of patience, it won’t be long before you start to see the effect. Also remember that these nutrients won’t cure depression on their own. But nutrition is very powerful.

2. Exercise is very good for depression

There are a ton of studies that show how exercise plays a decisive role when it comes to mood. In fact, there are people who claim exercise can be as powerful as antidepressants.

Exercise increases our dopamine and serotonin. This results in a feeling of well-being, as well as greater calm, confidence, and a better mood. We don’t have to act like a professional athlete though.

The most important thing is to get some physical activity in on a regular basis. This is enough to enjoy the benefits of exercise.

3. An antidepressant herb

Hypericum, also known as “St. John’s wort,”  or “tutsan” has been shown to be a huge help. The best part is that it doesn’t have the side effects of synthetic drugs. Its positive effects on depression have been evaluated by various doctors in Germany.

It’s very easy to make. All you have to do is make a tea out of the plant’s dried leaves. You can find it at pharmacies or herbalists. The usual dose for depression is half a cup, two times a day. You should consult a doctor if you’re taking other medication at the same time. There could be risky interactions.

4. Sunlight and nature: remedies for depression

Sunlight has a huge influence on our health and mood. First of all, the sun gives us vitamin D. Plus, it has been demonstrated that darkness increases melatonin production. This causes a feeling of tiredness and reduced cognitive function.

They’ve also proven that a lack of sunlight inhibits serotonin production. Serotonin is a substance that indirectly affects our mood. So high levels of melatonin and low levels of serotonin together are not good for our mood. Thus, it’s a bad combination when it comes to depression. Sunlight is a free, natural antidepressant that we’d be smart to take advantage of.

5. Massage

Massage is a thousand-year-old technique often used in Eastern medicine. You can even do it in addition to taking medication. To start, massage reduces muscular tension and allows for a state of relaxation. This helps to improve our mood and give us energy. Massage is one of the best remedies for depression.

All of these natural remedies for depression are effective. The best part is that they don’t just reduce the symptoms. They actually improve our quality of life and support good health. Even better, they don’t have negative side effects, and if we keep them up, we will see better results over time.