Going through the ups and downs of life is typical. However, when you feel consistently hopeless and sad, there’s a good chance you are suffering from depression. Depression is classified as an illness that can negatively affect how you feel and function in everyday life. A person’s depression levels can range from mild to severe and from temporary, fleeting feelings to persistent depression. Besides going through therapy and medication, there are natural treatments for depression that can work just as well for some people.
If you are battling feelings of depression, and prefer using alternative treatment methods, read more about these natural treatments for depression methods.
Get a Good Night’s Rest- Running on little to no sleep is a sure way to aggravate your feelings of anxiety and depression. Not following healthy sleep patterns is a great way to feed your depression, so make sure you get a good night’s rest every night.
Be Around Positive People- It’s true, you are influenced by who you surround yourself with, so make sure you only have positive, uplifting people around you. Being around people who bring you down can feed into your depression more.
Limit Carbs and Refined Sugars- Your blood sugar levels can rise and fall quickly when you eat carbs and refined sugars, causing low blood sugar levels. Low blood sugar can cause symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, and depression, so limit your consumption.
Get Your Body Moving- Daily exercise is a great way to stay healthy, both physically and mentally. Working up a sweat can positively influence your mood and raise the feel-good chemicals in the brain. Plus, exercise is good for you, so what’s there to lose?
Increase Omega-3 Fatty Acids- Increasing your consumption of omega-3 fatty acids can help keep your neurotransmitters and nerves healthy. So make sure you eat plenty of flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, cod, salmon, and sardines.
Avoid Caffeine and Alcohol- While caffeine is a stimulant and alcohol is a depressant, both have been linked to depression. This risk can increase when combined with refined sugar, so remove or limit coffee and alcohol to your diet. It can make the world of difference in how you feel every day.
Get Into a Routine- When you are depressed, it can be easy to melt the day away and lose any form of structure from your life. However, if you set a gentle daily schedule for you to follow, it can help you get back on track.
If you live in the NY tri-state area and are looking to tackle your depression, contact us at The Salerno Center today. At The Salerno Center, we are here to help, no matter how hopeless your situation may seem. We can help by designing a comprehensive depression treatment program around your unique needs.
