Anyone who has experienced depression knows how intense it can be. It’s more than just a low mood, as it can also drain us of our motivation and hope. The effects of depression are often widespread, as sleep, eating, and social habits can all be negatively affected by it. Yet there is some real hope for those suffering from depression. Thanks to a better understanding of psychology and emotions, doctors and psychologists have found numerous ways that people can often beat depression naturally.
While medication is a popular means of treatment, it is not the only one. There are plenty of ways to beat depression naturally without the use of medication.
Sleep Well
Feeling and being depressed can make it very challenging to get enough quality sleep. Depending on which sort of depression is experienced, those suffering can end up getting not enough or far too much sleep.
For some, sleep is a time of reflection, which can turn into overthinking, dread and worry. For others, sleep can feel like the only refuge they have.
In order to get a healthy amount of sleep, we must develop healthy sleeping habits. These include getting at least 8 hours of sleep each night, having a regular sleeping schedule instead of sleeping at different times each night, and having a regular time to wake-up. If you have trouble sleeping, make sure you are getting enough exercise each day, as most people find that after a day of exercise, their body is naturally tired and wants to sleep.
Eat Properly
There’s a certain amount of truth to the saying, “you are what you eat.” We can’t expect to have healthy and positive feelings if we are depriving our bodies of the nutrients they need to function and to feel good. If we aren’t putting the right kinds of food in our bodies, it’s possible to increase feelings of depression. A healthy body regularly translates into a healthy mind and a healthy emotional state.
Make sure your diet includes a balanced mix of fruits, vegetables, complex carbohydrates, vitamins and unprocessed foods. It’s also important to drink an adequate amount of water each day, and to eat something for breakfast instead of skipping it. If you’re feeling depressed, it’s crucial to take your diet seriously and to eat as healthy as possible. Your body will thank you for taking care of it by giving you the wonderful feelings that come with good health.
Meditate
When depressed, many people report feeling like a prisoner of their own mind, thoughts and feelings. It’s natural to want to fight against uncomfortable feelings and thoughts, yet doing so is ultimately futile as they are simply a part of the expression of our minds and feelings.
The more we try to resist these thoughts, often the more powerful they become as we add further energy to their expression. Rather than resist, try warmly accepting these feelings, and feeling self-compassion for the part of you that is suffering. Feeling love for ourselves gives us an opportunity to practice and to slowly re-write our emotional expression to one of love and good feelings. The purpose is not to change the depressed feelings, but simply to lovingly accept them as struggling parts of yourself, and to feel unconditional love for them.
Mindfulness meditation can also be useful, as it involves observing thoughts without judgment, which can lessen the effects of resisting thoughts related to depression.
Go Outside
Many people want to hide from the world when they feel depressed. It can feel like everyone and everything around us is ready to judge us or to be unfriendly. The fears of the expectations of others can also further promote feelings of depression, as this is a time when self-care needs to take priority over living up to the imagined expectations of others. While the feelings of depression can direct us to stay in a cozy hole, being outside in sunlight and nature can have wonderful benefits.
Sunlight increases dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain, both of which help promote good feelings that alleviate depression. Being outside can also open our minds to the beauty of life, and if the depression is tied to a certain event, it an help us to remember that there are still beautiful things in life to appreciate and to live for.
Exercise
To get through depression, it’s important to do everything possible to create a healthy and positive emotional state in the body. Exercise is the natural way to keep the body healthy and to feel great doing so. The exercise doesn’t need to be anything too intense. Aerobics, yoga, biking, anything that gets your body moving and that feels good can be extremely useful is helping you get through depression naturally.
Therapy
Having a counselor is one of the most effective and common ways to beat depression naturally, and for good reason. Professionals who have been trained in the causes and effects of numerous types of depression, and can help you to understand and to unravel the reasons causing your feelings. Many people tend to write off depression as only a biological problem and not having any source from circumstances or events, yet high percentages of psychologists successfully help people get out of depression naturally every single year.
If you’re depressed, you should set up an appointment with a therapist. While they won’t be able to solve your problems themselves, they will work together with you to understand and to get you the tools you need to succeed. Hope and help is available.
Therapy is an empowering and can be a wonderfully freeing experience. Many people in the 21st century are seeking out psychologists while they are doing fine in life, to workout childhood experiences, issues, and to simply understand themselves better. Just about anyone can benefit from having regularly counseling for a period of time, and to beat depression naturally, it’s highly recommended.
It’s also important to remember when feeling depressed, that you are not alone. Millions of very lovable people just like you are going through depression at this very moment. Many resort to hiding it due to fear of being judged, but remember that you can help them beat depression, just as they can help you. There are millions upon millions of people who want to see you feel good again and to see your beautiful smile. Don’t give up.
You are loved.
See Also: The Link Between Verbal Abuse And Anxiety That No One Talks About.
