Depression is a serious and common mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide, whether you are experiencing severe depression or moderate depression. While there are many medications available to treat depression, some people prefer natural remedies to help alleviate their symptoms. That’s why, I will explain some natural treatments and herbal remedies for depression, including tips that can help manage depression symptoms in a safe and effective manner. Whether you are looking for ways to enhance your overall well-being or you’re seeking relief from the depressive symptoms that come with depression, this post will hopefully provide you with helpful tips and insights to guide you on holistically healing yourself.
The Efficacy of Natural Treatments for Depression
The road to managing depression can be a difficult one, but there are many effective natural remedies available that can be incorporated into a holistic treatment plan. There are many things to try and explore to help you manage your symptoms if antidepressant medications aren’t helping, whether it’s getting on an exercise plan that makes you and your body feel good, learning some relaxation techniques like deep breathing and meditation or taking herbal and dietary supplements.
The benefits of natural remedies can far outweigh those of prescription medication, as you are making changes that benefit you as a whole. Lifestyle changes such as incorporating a healthy diet, getting adequate sleep, and regular exercise can play a significant role in the treatment of depression. With the right combination of natural remedies, lifestyle changes, and natural supplements, people with depression can lead a happier and healthier life. If you haven’t already considered it, a holistic approach may be the best route to help you.
Herbal and Dietary Supplements for Treating Depression
Herbal supplements should be used in conjunction with other natural remedies, such as NET, exercise, and stress-management techniques, to achieve the best results and health benefits. Make sure to consult with your healthcare provider before starting any supplement, as some may interact negatively with prescription medications or prescription antidepressants that you may be taking. A health care provider can also provide guidance on dosage and individualized treatment plans.
St. John’s Wort, SAM-e, and omega-3 supplements are just a few of the commonly used supplements for treating depressive symptoms. Compared to prescription medication, natural remedies, like St. John’s Wort, SAM-e, and Omega-3 supplements, come with fewer side effects and are less likely to interact negatively with other medications. Natural remedies offer a holistic approach to treating mental health disorders by targeting multiple facets of a condition, including mood, energy levels, and cognitive function.
St. John’s Wort Supplements
St. John’s Wort is a herbal supplement that has been shown to have similar effects as traditional antidepressant medications when it comes to boosting mood and reducing symptoms of depression. St. John’s Wort, a yellow-flowered plant native to Europe, increases the levels of serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline in the brain, which are all neurotransmitters that play a role in improving mood.
Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplements
Omega3 fatty acids, found naturally in certain species of fish such as salmon and tuna, are a powerful remedy for depression. These essential fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties which can help to balance mood and improve mental health. Research has shown that those with higher levels of Omega3s in their diets exhibit improved cognitive function, better concentration, and fewer symptoms of depression. Omega-3 fats can also benefit brain health and regulate mood.
SAM-e Supplements
SAM-e, or S-adenosyl-L-methionine, is a natural compound that boosts the production of serotonin and dopamine, similar to St. John’s Wort. SAM-e is a naturally occurring substance in the body that can be taken in supplement form and it has also been found to have potential benefits for depression. SAM-e may even have fewer side effects than traditional antidepressants.
Neuro-Emotional Technique Treatment for Depression
Neuro Emotional Technique (NET) is by far the most scientifically proven technique for changing the brain and subconscious patterning, as well as the farthest-reaching process in its scope of transforming the body and mind. Its basis is to find and remove emotional physio-pathological patterns.
Emotions have traditionally been thought of as normal functions of human beings, and often they do not present a problem. However, emotional trauma and/or long-term conditioning can cause a Neuro Emotional Complex that can be at the base of physical, mental, or emotional disturbances or imbalances. NET seeks to normalize these patterns by an actual physiological change.
NET is a mind-body methodology of finding and removing neurological imbalances related to the physiology of unresolved stress. This technique allows access to the neurology of repetitive patterns, which deliver repeated negative results thereby profoundly impacting our perceptions, actions and health. It helps clients unhook the mechanisms of these patterns and gain the ability to control their lives. Ultimately, NET assists in clients’ re-connection to their true self.
Neuro Emotional Technique (NET) can be a natural treatment for depression that aims to release emotional stresses that may be causing or contributing to the symptoms of depression. NET practitioners use a combination of techniques, including muscle testing and touching on specific points on the body, to identify and release the emotional blocks that may be causing the depression. This technique is helpful for patients with depression who aren’t responding to other treatments or prefer to try a more natural depression treatment. Many people have reported positive results from NET treatment.
NET Therapy: Recover and Heal Today
As an integrative health expert with a Ph.D. in nutrition and certification in Neuro Emotional Technique, I have worked with countless patients in healing their limiting beliefs and inner pains for over the last 30 years. If you are looking for NET Therapy you can trust, schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation with me today.
Exercise for Treating Depression
The use of exercise can be used as an effective way to reduce depression symptoms. Engaging in sports and aerobic exercises such as running or swimming can help alleviate symptoms of depression by helping your body produce endorphins. Especially if you’re in the sun, you’ll be able to raise your vitamin D levels as well. Being in a sport engages your focus and allows you to be a part of something bigger, which can help with the feelings of loneliness that often comes with depression. It can also help with leaving negative thoughts that you can experience behind when you’re in the zone of exercising.
Studies suggest that doing at least 30 minutes of exercise 3-5 days a week can lead to positive results. Any common type of exercise helps, like going for a walk, run, bike ride, or even vigorous cleaning can be exercise. As long as your body is moving and your heart is pumping. By incorporating exercise into your life, you can experience positive benefits in both your physical and mental health.
Meditation for Treating Depression
Meditation can be a powerful tool for relieving anxiety and depression. Research has revealed that incorporating mindfulness meditation into your daily life can help alleviate feelings of depression. By focusing the mind on the present moment, meditation can help individuals become more aware of their thoughts and feelings, and thereby better able to control their reactions to stress and anxiety. Other studies have found that meditation may help increase the amount of grey matter in the brain, leading to improvements in emotional regulation. You can find guided meditation videos anywhere. Search Youtube for beginner meditation videos if you need guidance. With practice, meditation can be a holistic approach to restoring calmness within yourself, improving mental health, and living a happier life.
Other Alternative Treatments for Mild Depression
There are also a plethora of other alternative treatments to consider. By incorporating some of these natural treatments into a holistic treatment plan, individuals can manage their depression in a sustainable and effective way.
Nature therapy
Nature therapy, also known as ecotherapy, is an alternative treatment that involves spending time in nature to improve mental and physical health. Research has shown that walking in nature and exposure to natural sunlight can boost serotonin levels in the brain. If you happen to have a vitamin D deficiency, then it would help alleviate those symptoms as well, which in turn can aid in bettering depressive symptoms you may be experiencing. Incorporating nature therapy can provide a refreshing change of pace and a calming atmosphere to help alleviate symptoms. By embracing the therapeutic power of nature, individuals can feel more centered, present, and hopeful on their journey towards overall wellness.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient form of Chinese medicine that has been used for thousands of years to treat a variety of health conditions. It involves the insertion of very thin needles into specific points on the body, known as acupoints. These points are believed to lie along pathways, or meridians, which carry energy throughout the body. A recent clinical study showed the effectiveness of acupuncture in decreasing depression at the three-month mark.
Other Lifestyle Changes to Help Manage Depression
Poor sleep, a lack of energy, and unhealthy dietary sources can definitely exacerbate your risk of depression and depressive symptoms. The key to managing depression and depressive symptoms naturally is making lifestyle changes that improve your overall well-being holistically. This can mean adopting a healthy diet, regular exercise routine, and quality sleep. These lifestyle changes have been shown to have a positive impact on mental health by reducing stress, improving mood, and increasing feelings of self-worth.
Free One-On-One Consultation With A Certified Holistic Practitioner
No one deserves to live a life without wellness. My goal is to provide holistic care and help people achieve whole-body healing with a care plan that includes natural treatments, alternative medicine, and alternative therapies. You deserve compassion, holistic health & wellness, and freedom. You deserve to have an absence of illness and harmful health effects that lessen your quality of life.
If you are struggling with major depression and not receiving the help you deserve, I encourage you to reach out for a free one-on-one consultation. I will assist you in achieving your health, emotional and spiritual goals through an effective treatment plan that works for you.
I have a global client base and have the ability to create an online program tailored just to you. I welcome you to visit my Westwood office or to contact me by phone, FaceTime, or Skype.
Call me at (310) 277-0241 or contact me here for a free 15-minute phone or video consultation.
