Intro
Millions of being are diagnosed and live with depression in the U.S. every single year.
To help patients cope with their depression in a way that works with their life rather than against it, specialists of creating a number of treatment options to help individuals cope.
If you’re not a fan of antidepressants or simply desire an alternative, particularly a natural one, you’re in luck. There are plenty of options out there that can help you to manage your depression.
Below are just a few that can play a big role in the management of your diagnosis.
1. Living a Healthy Life
Depression is a mental illness, to be clear. It can manifest in a number of ways and can be caused for a number of reasons. There is no one-size-fits-all look for depression or solution that fits all, for that matter.
With this in mind, you’ll want to do your best to ward off depression by being preventative. That can include something as simple as eating healthy and remaining active. Your activity will help to release good-for-you hormones that can improve your overall well-being.
Additionally, the foods you choose to eat directly affect your health, even your mind. Good food helps you to feel your best, while heavy, non-nutritious foods, including high counts of red meat, butter, and highly processed foods, have all been linked with a higher risk of depression.
When you eat for good, you will feel good.
2. Therapy
Rather than turning to medicine, many people battling mental health will use therapy – particularly talk therapy.
Most professionals recommend therapy in conjunction with medication to battle depression most effectively. However, you may be able to receive talk therapy for treatment exclusively.
Talk therapy helps patients to work through feelings that may have brought on depression. For example, if someone is experiencing depression after the loss of a loved one, working through the associated grief by talking can help to alleviate that depression.
3. Upping Your Vitamin Intake
The proper dosing of vitamins is crucial for ensuring that you live a happy, healthy life.
One vitamin that plays an especially big role in depression is vitamin D. A vitamin D deficiency can cause feelings of sadness and even depression in the extreme, while proper dosing can keep you healthy.
If you’ve ever heard of Seasonal Depression and wondered why or how the weather could affect someone’s mental health – it’s largely related to vitamin D. Lack of vitamin D from the sun during cold months can cause higher rates of depression, as seen in places like Washington.
If you don’t have natural access to essential vitamins, consider taking supplaments that help to boost your levels.
Remember to always consult your doctor on whether supplements are right for you. Over-saturation of vitamin levels is just as bad as not having enough!
4. Finding a Support Group
A support group can help you to feel less alone when times are hard. Similar to talk therapy, support groups allow you to navigate your feelings among people who understand.
One of the best parts of support groups is that there are people from diverse backgrounds all experiencing the same thing. It’s a perfect place to feel less alone and like what you’re going through does not need to happen alone.
Support groups are easier than ever to find, with many options online or in-person. You might also find one according to your faith or on a college campus, further honing in on the kind of support you want.
5. Utilizing Natural Medicine
If you’re looking to ditch anti-depressants, why not look for a direct alternative in natural remedies? Sure this umbrella term can refer to treatment methods like acupuncture or massage, but it can also mean natural medications.
One example is cannabis. A notorious soother, cannabis can help to relax you, so you feel at ease and able to take on the day, even when in the face of depression.
Many states have adopted medical marijuana laws that are designed to help you navigate illnesses like depression. Need help navigating the medical marijuana card process? Visit Marijuana Doctors.
Conclusion
Living with depression can be difficult, but managing your illness is important. Luckily, there are more treatment options than ever before, meaning that you can choose the method that works best for you. Whether it be a combination approach by living a healthier life with a support group to guide you, or a series of talk therapy sessions and natural medicine, the choice is yours.
