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6 Natural Home Remedies to Treat Depression

By Diane Hanson

Many people feel that medication is the way to treat depression. In fact, antidepressant is not a favorable remedy and emerging research suggests that certain natural home remedies may be just as effective in treating depression. Let’s take a closer look at a few of these natural depression treatments.

What Is Good for Depression?

There are many herbal supplements that many people use to cure depression naturally. Saint John’s Wort and gingko biloba are the most popular herbal remedies for mild to moderate depression treatment.

St. John's wort has been used for centuries to improve mood while ginkgo biloba is thought to improve memory and other intellectual functions. However, be aware that there are also drug interactions with St. John’s Wort and can render certain medications less effective. Always consult your physician before taking any herbal supplements to treat depression.

Mounting evidence suggests that an increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet may help relieve depression naturally. According to David Mischoulon, MD, a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, omega-3 fatty acids affect the brain through a different mechanism than antidepressants, so adding them to an antidepressant regimen is “attacking the illness from a different front”.

Omega-3 fatty acids are found in many foods including cold water fish such as salmon and tuna, various nuts like almonds and walnuts as well as sunflower seeds. You can also take supplements, if you don’t consume these foods regularly. Besides, taking a daily omega-3 supplement may have other benefits to cardiovascular health too.

If you love sugary foods, listen up. Refined sugar and refined carbs is linked with depression because they are nutrient-poor and use up the mood enhancing B Vitamins.

When you eat refined sugar or carbs, blood sugars tend to rise and fall quickly, leading to low blood sugar. And, low blood sugar can trigger a variety of unpleasant side effects which may include anxiety, fatigue, irritability, headaches and depression. Therefore, simply by giving up white bread, rice, pasta, and sugared drinks, for example, you can reduce your vulnerability to depression.

Yoga is another excellent natural depression cure home remedy. Yoga promotes deep breathing and muscle relaxation. If you practiced yoga regularly, it can help reduce stress and keep you calm.

Also, many studies also have shown that meditation has numerous health benefits including the ability to improve mood, reduce anxiety and stress. Find a quiet corner, close your eyes and concentrate on your breath. Slowly let go of all negative thoughts and when you find yourself no longer focusing on your breath, gently bring your focus back to your breathing.

Exercise has a number of beneficial effects that may ease depression, including balancing blood sugar levels and relieving stress. Many people feel a lot better after exercising since exercise actually decreases stress hormones in the body. Even light exercise such as walking helps to lift a depressive mood.

On top of that, sunlight increases serotonin and therefore reduce depression. Sunlight also enhances the production of Vitamin D which helps in the maintenance of good health.

Music therapy also works wonders as a natural antidepressant. Soothing music can improve the mood of a person who is feeling depressed and music relaxes the mind as well as the body.

If you know someone who is battling with depression, or maybe you are that person, use these natural cures to treat depression. While natural home remedies cannot help major depression, they can help you cope with the many depressive symptoms.

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