Feel Better Without Big Pharma: 5 Natural Methods for Overcoming Depression without Drugs

5 Natural Methods for Overcoming Depression without Drugs

Overcoming depression doesn't mean taking pills. Boosting your mood can involve natural methods instead. Here are 5 natural methods to help you beat depression .

Everyone feels down sometimes. But depression is different. Depression isn't sadness. It's feeling like nothing matters and that your hardships won't ever end. It's suddenly growing tired of the things that once brought you joy.

322 million people around the globe live with depression and still have complete, fulfilling lives. And you can, too, even if you don't want to use prescription drugs.

Here are five all-natural methods for overcoming depression.

1. Change Your Diet

You may want to think twice before picking up another can of soda or bag of chips. Junk food isn't only bad for your body, it's bad for your mind.

Research has found that a healthy diet can have a big impact on your mood. Certain vitamins, such as B12 and vitamin C, and healthy fats and acids, like omega-3 and folic acid, can help regulate mood and energy.While depression isn't often caused by a poor diet , changing what you eat can aid with other forms of depression treatment. Consider changing what you keep in the pantry. It may just improve your mood.

2. Exercise

Depression is a complex chemical process. At a biological level, it's caused by the misfiring of synapses in your brain. The result is a reduced level of certain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, the chemicals responsible for feelings of joy and love.

Prescription medication often aims to increase the brain's production of these chemicals, but drugs aren't the only solution.

One of the best natural remedies for depression is regular exercise . Moving your body for 30 minutes per day causes your body to release endorphins, which give a similar feeling to dopamine and serotonin.

So next time you're feeling down, try going for a walk. You'll be surprised at how good you feel after.

3. Journal

Fighting depression can feel like a constant quest to take back your own mind . To properly arm yourself, you'll need to understand your enemy.

Writing your feelings is a helpful way to better understand your depression symptoms and triggers.Anytime you feel a negative emotion like anger or sadness, write it down. Be sure to include details about the situation that lead to you feeling this way. Explore the feeling. Soon you'll pick up on subtle trends so you can avoid or adapt to certain situations.

4. Try Therapy

Let's clear one thing up right now: there's no shame in seeking professional help. In fact, it's healthy.Therapy is a constructive way to learn more about your depression and gain the coping mechanisms that can help you manage. With the assistance of a licensed therapist, you can explore your feelings and uncover more about yourself and your depression.

If you're concerned about the cost or feel too shy to visit a therapist's office in person, consider Online Therapy
solutions like Healing Clouds or Teladoc. Your insurance provider may even cover these costs.

5. Change Your Surroundings

A change of scenery, big or small, often does the heart good. There's something freeing about exploring a new place.

Make an effort to get outside more often. Explore nature or see parts of your hometown you've never visited. Redecorating your living space can help you feel better, too.

Overcoming Depression Doesn't Mean Taking PillsSome days it can seem like overcoming depression is an impossible task. That goes double for those trying to fight depression without pills. But there are plenty of healthy, easy steps you can take to manage depression and live a happy life.

Give these five methods a shot and see if they work for you. When paired with info on Redecorating your living space , you'll have an easier time managing your depression.