Five Natural Ways to Beat Depression

By John DeProspo

While there are many different ways to treat depression without antidepressant medications, some are more popular than others. Why are people looking for natural remedies for treating this problem? Because it has been proven that the drugs that supposedly treat this disease are not only ineffective in over fifty percent of patients using them, they are highly addictive, have many adverse side-effects, and can actually cause more mental pain and anguish than help.
Many people are turning to meditation as a natural way to help them overcome the effects of depression. Meditation has been used for thousands of years, in a variety of healing applications. You do not need to spend hundreds of dollars learning these methods, many are available for free. It has been said that most diseases and problems are simply mind over matter, and using these methods are quite effective, but they do take time to work. You should not expect miracles over night.
Another alternative to antidepressants are herbal remedies. These can be herbs like St. John's Wort, Green Tea, and fish oil supplements. There are also herbal remedies that can actually clean your body of toxic buildups, like eliminating free radicals. In a lot of cases, by simply flushing your system of toxins, you will find that your symptoms of depression can be alleviated. There are also other herbal supplements that can stimulate your brain into making natural endorphins and serotonin, which can make you feel better.
Some people often turn to counseling as a form of natural relief. Sometimes people are depressed because of traumatic experiences that have happened in their lives. Whether it is abuse, or a death in the family, or a wide range of others, not addressing these issues, burying them in your subconscious, can be more harmful than not confronting them right away. Therapy does not have to be expensive, there are mental health clinics around the country that are free, or on a sliding fee schedule.
Another natural way to beat depression without antidepressants is through a change of diet. There are many different ways to do this. One is to cut out refined sugars, and processed foods. This also means eating more healthy like fresh vegetables, lean meats and lots of fruit. All of these can improve your mood, by reintroducing vitamins and minerals that help make up the chemicals in the brain responsible for elevating your mood. It also means cutting back or completely eliminating foods and drinks that are fueling your symptoms as well, like caffeine, alcohol, and to many fattening snacks.
Exercising is another natural way to beat depression without antidepressants. Getting out and going for a walk, riding a bicycle or hiking in the woods, all of these release natural serotonin and endorphins that help elevate your mood. It is also a cardiovascular exercise, which helps to pump oxygen to your cells, making them healthier. It does not need to feel like exercise, and you do not have to go to the gym, or lift a bunch of weights, just walking around your neighborhood at least once a day can be a great help. It also gets you out of the house, and soak up some vitamin D from the sun.