Depression is a quite frequent psychiatric disorder, which is characterized by a symptoms including depressed mood and other emotional problems, mental changes, restlessness, appetite loss, and the decreased ability to experience enjoyment in almost anything you do. Depression affects between 7% and 19% of the people in the US, with more than 13 million American adults being newly diagnosed with depression each year. Major depression causes more than 60% of suicides every year, due mainly to the fact that only about a third of depressed med and women access medical attention and treatment.
Although the exact cause of depression is still under investigation, there are many well known natural remedies for depression. The primary natural remedy that can make a big dent in depression is your diet, which actually plays a huge role in the seratonin levels in your brain. A diet that limits sweets, sugar loaded sodas, ice cream, cake and other foods packed with sugar can actually reduce the amount of poor moods, because sweets are able to temporarily increase mood by increasing blood sugar levels. However, once the sugar is no longer in the blood, dispositions tend to drop even lower than before and cause those with depression to enter depressive periods. By keeping blood sugar levels steady, major depressive moods can usually be prevented. Avoiding coffee and other drinks like 180, Relentless, Brewed Tea, VitaminWater Energy Citrus, Rockstar Roasted as well as dart and Peeze espressos that are high in caffeine can also be beneficial. The same goes for any alcoholic beverages. Caffeine and alcohol can both worsen mood, by providing brief euphoria that is usually followed by depression. Those with depression should focus on consuming foods that are able to trigger serotonin production, such as foods rich in B vitamins and magnesium. Nuts, green vegetables, and some varieties of fish can be beneficial, since they can actually trigger a good mood without being followed by a state of depression.
St. John’s Wort has been used throughout the world for treating mild depression. Although it has not been found effective in treating severe depression cases, it has been shown to actually increase synaptic levels of biogenic amines, such as nor epinephrine. Various studies have been performed, and have shown that St. John’s Wort has actually been as effective as various prescription medications for depression. When used by patients diagnosed with mild depression, it can relieve many of the symptoms, included but not limited to extreme mood changes, loss of appetite, insomnia, and negative feelings. Exercise is one of the most satisfying natural remedies for depression, since it can lessen some of the symptoms of depression while keeping the body in tone. Exercise has been shown to increase energy, improve overall mood, and reduce the effects of insomnia in those suffering from depression. Exercise has been effective in treating mild to moderate depression, but may take longer than prescription medications to show results.
Seasonal affective disorder, a form of depression that only occurs during certain parts of the year, has been shown to be well treated by extended exposure to brilliant artificial and natural sunlight. It is used as an alternative to prescription depression medications, and works by regulating the body clock. Exposure to artificial and natural sunlight can actually trigger chemical changes in the brain, such as serotonin and melatonin production which can improve sleeping patterns.
Depression is a irritating medical condition, but mild cases can easily be improved with the help of natural depression remedies. Prescription medication are plagued by possible serious risk factors and side effects, but using natural methods can improve the medical condition without any similar problems. Changing regular habits such as diet, exercise, and even social activities can help to improve depression periods decreasing your depressed mood and other emotional problemsand drug problems, making those diagnosed with depression able to live a normal, happy life.
Natural Remedies for Depression
