Natural remedies for depression

Many people don’t like the idea of turning to anti-depressant medication when faced with a diagnosis of depression or anxiety.

Choosing a more holistic approach of treating the causes and symptoms of mental illness can be an empowering and successful option for some people, for others a combination approach of lifestyle changes and supervised medical intervention produces the best outcomes.

It is essential to be mindful that depression is a form of mental illness that can affect anyone at any stage in life regardless of age, gender or status.

We as a society have been working hard to any remove any negative stigmas surrounding mental health and to reach out to support those in need.

If you feel you may be suffering from any form of depression or know someone who is, please don’t hesitate to contact your personal health care provider or any of the many support networks available and discuss your feelings or concerns.

Natural treatments can work upon the same principals as medications, which is to restore normal levels of chemicals in the brain (serotonin and nor epinephrine) or to enhance the body’s natural ability to control and regulate moods.

Changes in behaviour, lifestyle and diet, combined with regular therapy and professional supervision can work to achieve or restore a positive healthy mental state.

When seeking to treat depression naturally, certain factors are fundamental.

Below are some natural ways that may help with depression:

Ensuring you get enough sleep is vital for regulation of many body processes including hormone production.
Eating a nutritionally balanced diet too and maintaining a healthy weight is also necessary for optimum metabolic regulation and thyroid function, both believed to play a significant role in the incidence of depression.
One method of combatting depressive disorders is to increase the natural levels of endorphins in the body; endorphins are responsible for relieving stress and are often referred to as the body’s very own natural antidepressants. Regular physical exercise (particularly aerobic), meditation, laughter, spicy foods, music and positive social interactions will all produce various levels of these hormones proven to positively enhance moods and emotions.
Certain foods, natural herbs, vitamins, minerals and dietary supplements have also been identified as essential or beneficial; St. John’s wort, Folic acid, Omega-3 fatty acids, B group vitamins, magnesium, beta-carotene and probiotic’s are all recommended.
Of equal benefit is avoiding certain foods and substances such as sugar, caffeine, tobacco and alcohol. Selecting a diet rich in organic, nutrient dense, whole foods and free from artificial additives, colours and preservatives is also popular.
Other natural holistic approaches which may be considered for reducing stress and in turn treating depression include seeking and participating in support groups, homeopathic remedies, acupuncture, aromatherapy, meditation, yoga, massage therapy and light therapy. Identifying and removing or avoiding stressors and developing stress management techniques can further diffuse potential depressive episodes.
Talk therapies or psychological therapy is still widely believed to be the primary and most successful treatment of major depression.

It is important to remember mental illness is a serious health condition with varying severities and all treatments regardless of type will take time.

Seeking help is essential and selecting the right combination of natural remedies and traditional interventions including pharmaceutical medication is best undertaken with professional guidance.

If you feel you need more information there are a number of national networks available to assist 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Caring for our mental wellbeing and that of our loved ones is just as important as our physical health, knowing when, where and how to seek the appropriate help can make the world of difference.

Below are some organisations that can help:

Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636
Lifeline – 13 11 14
MindSpot Clinic – 1800 61 44 34
Relationships Australia – 1300 364 277
SANE Australia Helpline – 1800 18 7263
Black Dog institute

Image courtesy of Shutterstock.com

We may get commissions for purchases made using links in this post. Learn more.

34 Comments

- - mom81879 said
  - 21 Nov 2015
    7:31 pm
These are great ways to help with depression naturally. Some people need medical intervention though. Please, if you suffer depression, seek professional help as soon as you can!

- - dannsbuild said
  - 17 Sep 2015
    3:13 pm
Good remedies! This is interesting! Thank you for sharing this!

- - mom102959 said
  - 06 Jun 2015
    3:01 pm
Depression is real and has to be taken seriously however I think doctors need to be trained to see where it is the condition and not the symptom. Sometimes meds are needed while other times may just need to address sleep deprivation or vitamin imbalance.
- mom94125 replied
  
  18 Oct 2015 , 1:33 pm
  yes doctors should be physcologists then?
- - GeoEllie said
  - 31 Jan 2015
    6:49 am
Very wonderful list, thanks for sharing.

- - GeekMum said
  - 30 Jan 2015
    8:52 pm
I love this article. I had been on anti-depressants before and although they made me feel like I had more energy, and the melancholy disappeared, I also felt numb in that I didn’t fel my creativity anymore and I couldn’t deal with that so I went off them.

Ultimately meeting my husband cured the lowest point in my life, healthy diet and positive changes then added into improving my life into something that I feel really happy with.

- - mom117219 said
  - 06 Jan 2015
    10:02 pm
Thank for the info,, will spread this message to my friends group, as prevention is better than cure

- - stepmom107932 said
  - 31 Dec 2014
    12:48 pm
I myself have started taking st johns wort to combat my depression recently

- - keeleynme said
  - 29 Dec 2014
    8:25 pm
Love this, looks like I need more sleep and exercise.

- - mom116139 said
  - 26 Dec 2014
    10:43 pm
Nice article, like it alot

Thanks for posting it.

https://foursquare.com/v/trivedi-effect/528708dd498e0e48ae6bed15

- - ella12 said
  - 16 Dec 2014
    2:46 pm
This is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly.

- - mom94125 said
  - 15 Dec 2014
    8:35 am
this is a great article. i think that you should seek help if you feel upset or frustrated. we should connect with people who can help us and not feel ashamed

- - mom93821 said
  - 11 Dec 2014
    9:44 pm
Thanks again; have been sharing with friends.

- - Momfunster said
  - 27 Nov 2014
    9:06 pm
I have learnt that you need to ‘fill’ your cup aka look after yourself and taking time for yourself.

- - mom57808 said
  - 22 Nov 2014
    6:19 am
yoga and meditation are very very relaxing,,, I truly recomend

- - mom93821 said
  - 20 Nov 2014
    6:05 am
Thanks for sharing this interesting and informative article with good links on an important issue; helpful article which I will be sharing.

- - cloverstorm said
  - 17 Nov 2014
    7:03 am
I was advised by my doctor to eat fish, because of the omega-3, to help boost mood as well.

- - hopefullyheidi said
  - 17 Nov 2014
    1:12 am
I like this article. You truly do provide a totally holistic view on the topic. Commonly articles are biased one way or the other on this topic – either traditional medicine or complimentary approaches. I like that you have given a well rounded viewpoint and that the combination of traditional and complimentary in tandem can work as well. I’m going to save this article. Very good points here. Thank you.

- - june11 said
  - 16 Nov 2014
    8:46 pm
There is a lot of good suggestions in the other comments. In one way you need to take good care of yourself if you have to care for others. In my case I was caring for my Aging Mum who had Dementia. If I went out alone, my Mum would forget I had gone home from work, made sure there was something hot for her night meal, said good-bye to her and gone out for a couple of hours with friends. One of my neighbours would ring me to see where I was so that Mum could be re-assured that I would be home soon. In the end going out was as or more stressful than staying home. I only did it on a special occasion which was pnly 3 times a year. While in aged care, I took her home for 24 hours for Christmas. I was more mentally exhausted that physically. I was advised not to do it again by a counsellor, that it would be too upsetting for both of us. I ended up suffering with and still do to a certain extent, anxiety depression that I am having help with. I was also advised not to stop working as I needed to enjoy the company of others and they realised I would go downhill fast if I stayed home 24/7 being at Mum’s beck and call. Don’t get me wrong, I loved her dearly, but it would only been a matter of time before we both needed help. Physically I wasn’t strong enough to move or carry her in an emergency either.

- - Lov'n'Life said
  - 13 Nov 2014
    2:01 pm
this is very informative thank you

- - tam_watters said
  - 12 Nov 2014
    8:24 pm
Another suggestion if you’re depressed, try to make a routine. Write it down if you need to and tick off each task as its done. Depression can strip away the structure from your life. One day melts into the next. Setting a gentle daily schedule can help you get back on track.