Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Natural Ways To Treat Depression, Are You Sure?

Depression is a medical ailment that distresses the mind, often leaving the person experiencing hopeless feelings, without goal and unable to focus. When not treated, this disorder can adversely hurt academic achievement, family life, friendships and careers. Folks tend to look for help from a mental health doctor who may dispense mood balancing drugs. But most use an alternative form of medication which is a more natural treatment in conjunction with drug therapy. Milder cases of depression can be cured solely with natural remedies without the need for prescription drugs.

Therapy is a great way to restore balance in your life. Asking help from others who have similar problems can offer a support group to discuss issues, understand signs, and improve techniques to feel better. Often talking is very therapeutic and can help stop stress and loneliness, which may cause feelings of depression.

Therapy that includes personal expression has been found to provide an outlet for suppressed feelings and can be a positive way to express deep feelings and emotion. This can take many forms. Dance is a great outlet for this and other movement therapies like  martial arts. Martial arts teach focus, self awareness, and control which can greatly benefit someone agonizing from depression. Using art as a form of therapy is another expressive form of therapy. Even sculpting or painting or any other variation of art, it’s a way to express feelings in a tangible way.

Relaxation techniques help a person focus and gain a sense of serenity. Yoga is an ideal exercise that soothe the body, mind, and spirit. It promotes good health, a positive self image and teaches relaxation. Meditation is also an excellent technique to relax and unwind. It reduces the heart rate and clears the mind, allowing more focused thought. Acupuncture is now very popular option for treating depression. By using various pressure points, it is believed to enable a calming effect and promote a healthier emotional balance. Hypnosis is also getting in popularity as a new form of getting to the root issues of why someone is depressed and transforming them with a sense of well being.

Certain dietary changes and supplements are reported to be helpful in the treatment of depression. Adding fish oil, Zinc and B vitamins are found to help the body regulate chemicals that may trigger depression. Exercise is also very crucial. Being active will re-vitalize the body and keep it fit, promoting a healthier lifestyle and improved self image and self-esteem.  Exercising several times per week can calm the senses and strengthen the body.

Depression does not need to be crippling. Making a few changes to your daily routine will help to give you a sense of well-being and help stop symptoms of depression. If you continue to have feelings of depression or have severe symptoms like suicidal thoughts, immediately consult a health care professional.