Natural Remedies for Depression

Although there is an ongoing debate about what the most accurate description of depression is and also about whether it is a disease or a response to a set of circumstances, it is clear that the accompanying dejection will inevitably interfere with normal social functioning. Depression may be a symptom of other conditions that should be diagnosed and assessed by a physician. However, there are other factors that may trigger depression including, insomnia, hormonal imbalance, nutrition deficiencies, stress, drug and alcohol use and genetic factors / heredity. There are things you can do to battle depression and make it easier to cope with, on a day to day basis. It is not abnormal for most individuals to experience some amount of depression in a lifetime and it is often considered an evolutionary adaptation that evolved as a response to lowered abilities during times of crisis. The main theory proposed is that humans adapted to less than ideal life changing events by withdrawing from normal social activities that would be carried out less effectively when faced with such harsh circumstances. However, this theory while edifying in some sense does not negate the fact that depression is still a problem if it begins to affect a person’s abilities for a prolonged period. It is therefore important for you to seek medical intervention if you feel that your depression has become unbearable. You could also employ on eof the following natural remedies to help you overcome these trying times.

Natural Remedies to Counter Depression

The following natural remedies may be used to help you overcome the consequences of depression.

St John’s Wort: You may take the herb, St John’s Wort. In studies it has been found to alleviate mild to moderate depression. However, for more severe cases you may wish to seek the advice of a trained professional.
Omega-3 fatty acids: Consuming omega-3 fatty acids are a good way to help overcome any symptoms of depression. Studies have found that countries which have diets rich in fish have ten times lower rates of depression than countries where meat is preferred over fish. Omega 3 may be found in sardines, salmon and anchovies. Having said that, because of the possibly high levels of mercury that may be found in fish it is perhaps better to take a fish oil supplement. Additionally, using omega-3 fatty acids in combination with a prescribed anti-depressant may have a much greater effect.
Folic Acid: Too little folic acid may be a indirect cause of your depression. Studies have shown that there is often a folic acid deficiency in people who suffer from depression. You may derive folic acid from green leafy vegetables, nuts, beans and safflower seeds. You may also take it in the form of a supplement if you do not readily consume foods high in folic acid. Like Omega-3 fatty acids, this will work best in conjunction with an anti-depressant.
Dietary changes: You should also consider making small changes to your diet. Avoiding alcohol, caffeine and sweets will be of great benefit to you. All these substances have the ability to give you the transient feeling of relief but, in reality, they only worsen your mood, once their effect wears off.
Exercise routine: You should consider doing more exercise. It has been theorized that exercise increases certain mood-elevating neurotransmitters within the brain which will often help alleviate the symptoms of depression. It is best to do aerobic exercises which will have the most desired effect.
Yoga: Try yoga which has been proven to be a great technique that can naturally better your mood. Because yoga incorporates breathing techniques it is likely to help you relax and give you a greater sense of well-being.