Pharmaceutical companies frequently advertise on television, magazines and the Internet to promote their anxiety and depression medicines. But not everyone wants to take prescription drugs for their depression. Whether the depression is situational or an ongoing chemical depletion in the brain, there are some natural cures that have proven to diminish and even eliminate depression and anxiety in sufferers.
One way to fight depression naturally is to get enough sleep at night. When people get too few hours of sleep for too many days in a row, they are putting themselves at risk for fatigue, which can trigger depression and anxiety. It may not always be easy to get a decent amount of rest with the schedules people have, but trying to get a minimum of eight hours on average during the night can greatly reduce feelings of stress and helplessness.
Another natural way to help with easing the symptoms of depression is to eat enough of the right nutrients during the day. Many people are depleted of essential vitamins and minerals and don’t even know it. The food we put into our bodies has the capacity to elevate or lower our emotional states. People who eat diets rich in starches and sugars my find they are sluggish and do not feel motivated to get out as much as people who eat a high volume of protein, vegetables and fruits.
Exercise is an excellent combatant of anxiety and depression. People have a great amount of choices of what they can do to get active. For instance, they can visit the gym, ride their bikes, skate in the park, do yard work, swim or walk, to name a few. People who exercise at least once every other day for 30 minutes or more will find they become happier than they’ve been in a long time. Not only will they have more energy, they’ll be headed toward a healthy weight and will most likely sleep better at night, too.
St. John’s Wort is an old folk remedy that is said to cure depression. Containing the chemical hypericin, it has worked as well as some antidepressant drugs for many people. Being a natural product, it also doesn’t put anyone at risk for the many side effects that anti-depressant prescriptions can unfortunately have. It is also non-addictive; people can take it or not take it and they won’t have to worry about the withdrawal symptoms associated with other drugs.
People who consume high doses of B vitamins may soon watch their depression subside or vanish. Vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid in particular are the strongest when it comes to battling anxiety. They support the central nervous system, which affects the entire body. People can take 50 milligrams of B-complex one or two times daily for the best results.
The amino acid 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) works with the brain’s production of serotonin. People who suffer depression and anxiety often have lower-than-normal amounts of serotonin, which greatly contributes to their mental and emotional state. The recommended dose is 100 milligrams three times daily, taken with B-complex vitamins.
Before heading to the doctor to ask for a prescription of expensive anti-depressant drugs with potentially serious side effects, people should turn to nature. Sufferers of anxiety and depression can make adjustments in their lifestyle, such as getting more sleep and exercise. They can also take certain vitamins and other natural substances. By trying to treat depression the natural way, people just might find the cure is easier than they ever thought possible.