Fight Depression Naturally

Feeling a little blue?  Have you been diagnosed with depression?  Are you concerned about going on medication?  You are not alone!  Learn some simple ways to help prevent depression before it overwhelms you.  Approximately 20 million people suffer from depression every year and with the state of the economy, that number seems to climb more and more each day.  Depression is defined as a disorder that prevents someone from functioning normally day to day. 

Therapy can help resolve some problems before they lead to depression and it is important to learn how to prevent future episodes.  You will find out if you are just feeling 'blue' or clinically depressed.  Here are some ways to beat the blues naturally:

1.  Eat fish - at least twice a week or take an Omega 3 (fish oil) supplement every single day.  This will help improve your mood as essential fatty acids can actually change the chemistry in your brain and put you in a good mood.

2.  B-complex - supports the nervous system and helps to de-stress the body by supporting the adrenal glands. 

3.  Eat foods for a good mood - they include sunflower seeds, oranges, beets, and leafy green vegetables.  All of these foods can help prevent mood swings. 

4.  Take Vitamin D3 - this is the sunshine vitamin and probably the most underated vitamin of all, yet it can relieve symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) that typically occurs during the winter months, when there are fewer hours of sunshine.

5.  Share your feelings with a trusted friend or your spouse - the pain of depression is very real and what can make a huge difference in your health is what you do with those feelings.  Acknowledge those feelings of depression instead of shoving them under the rug.  Eventually, they do resurface if they are not dealt with in an approach that will work for you.

6.  Aromatherapy is a great way to improve your mood almost immediately.  Keep a vial of lavender essential oil at your desk so you can breathe in deeply when you are feeling a little blue.  Other good choices are lemon, rose or sage.

7.  Avoid alcohol - which actually depresses the nervous system and can make you feel worse.  Go to the parties and get-togethers, however, make a point to drink water in between drinks and eat some food.   My favorite thing to do after drinking some wine is drink alkaline water which really helps to dilute the effects of alcohol. 

8.  Prioritize your life - sometimes our schedules get so hectic, it just adds to an overwhelming feeling that seems hopeless.  Decide which activities will fit into your schedule to prevent work overload and depression. 

hoodia