7 Natural Remedies to Help With Depression

Living with depression can take a toll on your energy level from day to day and leave you feeling in a slump. You may no longer have the energy to do the things you used to enjoy and this can quickly turn into a vicious cycle of feeling tired and then forgetting to do simple tasks each day to ensure you feel at your best. While living with depression can make it tempting to stay in bed all day sleeping the day away, avoiding movement and activity will make you even more exhausted. Here are a few simple natural remedies that can help you with kicking depression.

St John’s Wort

A natural supplement, St. John’s Wort has been known to help fight feelings of depression. This natural supplement can be taken every day and has been taken for centuries to help people struggling with depression. It is plant-derived and grows in the wild, so it doesn’t get much more natural than that.

Vitamin D

Many people are lacking vitamin D and don’t realize it. The sun helps your body to produce vitamin D, so getting outside and getting fresh air every day while soaking in vitamin D can help boost your mood. At least fifteen minutes of direct sunlight is needed to help your body produce optimum vitamin D levels. A vitamin D supplement can also be helpful. You may need to have your vitamin D levels tested by a healthcare professional. UpWell is a great place to start.

Healthy Fats

Many people don’t have enough fat in their diet. Lacking healthy fats in your diet can affect your overall sense of well being. Coconut oil and fatty fish are two great sources of healthy fats.

Avoid Caffeine

Kicking caffeine to the curb may seem impossible, especially if you rely on coffee every morning to perk you up. It’s important to understand that caffeine is highly addictive and while it makes you alert and picks you up, once the effects of caffeine wear off, you may come crashing down and feel depressed.

Take up Meditation

In the fast paced world we live in, it’s difficult to get your head clear. It can leave you feeling overwhelmed, tired, and depressed. Meditation will help clear your mind and has been proven to help peoples’ overall sense of wellness improve. Some may find it helpful to meditate with a group while other may prefer going it alone. Find what works for you and make it a part of your life.

Stock Up on B Vitamins

B vitamins are crucial for a good mood and an overall feeling of health and wellness. B vitamins greatly impact the chemicals in the brain, including seratonin, which is necessary for that “feel good” sensation. Seratonin is a chemical products in the brain and people who struggle with depression often don’t produce enough seratonin in their brain. Some foods high in B vitamins include fish, cheese, spinach, bell peppers, and turkey.

Exercise

Exercise helps your brain produce seratonin. Exercise helps the brain release endorphins, which are crucial when it comes to feeling good. While getting out of the house and taking the first step to go for a walk may feel difficult at first, once you start moving, the endorphins will be released and you will feel better. A short walk around the neighborhood can do wonders for improving your mood. It only takes the first step and then you’re on your way.

There are many online communities as well where depression can be openly discussed. A personal favorite is UpWell, an online community can help you by allowing you to talk to others in a similar situation but also makes prescription management much simpler. Talking to others about remedies that they are using can be incredibly beneficial to your mental state, and you can learn some great stuff in the process.