The normal ups and downs of life mean that
everyone feels sad or has "the blues" from time to time. But if
emptiness and despair have taken hold of your life and won't go away, you may
have depression. Depression makes it tough to function and enjoy life like you
once did. Just getting through the day can be overwhelming. But no matter how
hopeless you feel, you can get better. Understanding the signs, symptoms,
causes, and treatment of depression is the first step to overcoming the
problem. If you struggling with depression you can learn about depression symptoms,
warning signs, and causes, plus what you can do to feel better. HERE
Remedies
for Depression
16.
Laughter
Laughter aids in offsetting the symptoms of
depression by improving the mood and impacting social relationships favorably.
After all, “Laughter is the best medicine.”
17.
Exercise
To improve your mood, relax your mind, uplift
your self-esteem, and keep your mental health, it’s very important to indulge
yourself in some sort of moderate physical activities. Muscle relaxation and
breathing exercises are considered to be great for the depressed
people. Jogging and walking are equally effective.
18. Yoga
and Meditation
Meditation and yoga efficiently
alters the brain’s biochemistry. You send a message to the brain via spinal
cord when you stretch during yoga. It stimulates the sensation of ‘feel good’.
Daily practice of pranayamas and asanas keeps
you from melancholy.
19.
Sunbathe
The level of natural antidepressant in the
brain increases in the sunlight. A research has revealed that our brain
produces more serotonin, a mood-lifting chemical, on sunny days than it does on
darker or cloudy days. So, sunbathe for a minimum of 30 minutes whenever
you require warmth.
20. Bathe
Since sunbathing is not possible at night or
on an extremely hot day, have a shower, if you feel dejected. Surprised?
Researchers discovered that bathing or a neutral immersion bath relaxes mind
and uplifts mood.
21. Soak
Feet in Hot Water
If bathing is not possible due to any reason,
you can try this remedy. Fill a tub with hot water and add some soap, chlorine
and rosemary leaves to it. Dip your feet in this tub for 15-20 minutes. It will
calm down your dejected mind.
22.
Massage
Massage the soles of your feet with sunflower
or coconut oil before going to bed. It will revitalize your nerves
making you feel unperturbed.
23.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is considered to be a natural way
to do away with depression as it elevates one’s mood and calms the mind.
Studies revealed the fact that acupuncture changes the release of neurohormones
and neurotransmitters, thereby altering the chemistry of the brain favorably.
24.
Guided Imagery
It is a
method in which your mind and body communicates with each other via touch,
taste, smell and vision. It involves imagination of things that bring positive
thoughts to your mind like mountains, waterfall, sunrise and sunset on the
beach etc. You endeavor to feel the breeze, smell the flowers and hear the
sounds in nature. You can practice it during touch therapy and massage. The
skills of visualization can’t be learnt overnight. One needs continuous
practice, patience and time to master it.
25. Music
Therapy
Music
therapy is a non-medical way to overcome grief, anxiety, fear and stress. It
tranquilizes your spirit naturally and is good for people of all ages. Put on
your headphones and listen to classic old melodies or hit rocks depending on
your taste and mood.
26. Light
Therapy
In this
therapy, depressed person is seated close to an intensely lit box. This box
imitates light from outside. Initially, the patient is exposed to this box for
15 minutes, but depending upon the of severity of symptoms, the time limit may
extend up to 2 hours each day. The intensity of the light is also determined
according to the level of depression. This therapy only relieves the signs
associated with melancholy; it does not completely cure depression.
27.
Writing Therapy
Maintain a
mood diary and pen down all the positive things that occur around you. Don’t
write about any negative event. If you find it difficult to maintain it on a
daily basis, write at least once-a-week. Whenever you feel dejected, come back
to your dairy and read it. It will remind you of your good days and bring a
smile on your face.
In general,
pouring your heart out by the means of writing is considered to be healing,
according to the researchers. So, we suggest you to write more often, it has no
side effects.
28.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
This therapy
focuses on your thoughts. Depression can easily be resisted by developing an
optimistic outlook and altering the way of your thinking. Pessimistic thoughts
elicit the feeling of solitude and triviality, but you can overcome this
condition by staying focused solely on positive side of everything that happens
to you. It is a short-term therapy that lasts for 10-20 sessions and
effectively treats mild to moderate depression.
Herbal
Remedies for Depression
Here are
some of the herbal remedies which really work wonders in fending off the
depression.
29. Lemon
Herb
Put 25 grams
of lemon herb in cold water. Leave it for 12-15 hours. Use this ointment twice
or thrice a day.
30.
Asparagus (Shatavari)
Grind the
dried roots of asparagus into the powdered form. Ingest 1-2 grams of this
powder at least once a day.
31.
Nardostachys or Spikenard (Jatamansi)
The extracts
of rhizome and roots of this herb are said to have tranquilizing effect on the
brain. It is a mild sedative that reduces aggression.
32.
Indian Ginseng (Ashwagandha)
This herb
has antidepressant properties. Have 2 tablespoons of powdered Indian ginseng
with a glass of water to overcome melancholy.
33.
Nutmeg
Extract
juice of fresh Indian gooseberries. Add 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg powder to it. Drink
it three times a day.
34.
Licorice
1-3 cups of
licorice tea a day alleviate depression. You can also take licorice powder with
milk.
Note- Breast-feeding
and pregnant women should not consume licorice in any form. Besides, people
with renal, heart and liver diseases, high blood pressure and those take
aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin) must abstain from having licorice.
35. Sage
and Basil Leaves
Prepare a
tea by adding ½ teaspoon of sage and ¼ teaspoon of basil leaves to a
cup of hot water. Drink it twice a day to reduce depression.
36.
Lavender Leaves
Boil 1 cup
of water, then steep 1 teaspoon of lavender leaves. Strain the liquid and
consume the resultant solution when it’s hot, thrice a day.
37.
Sandalwood Powder
Apply
sandalwood powder on the forehead on the daily basis. It calms and soothes the
mind of depressed person.
38.
Commiphora mukul (Guggul)
This herb
strengthens the nervous system, apart from reducing weight. It is available in
the form of various supplements and herbal capsules in medical stores.
Alternatively, dry some guggul resins and spread it on burning coal. Inhale the
smoke for a few minutes. Its smoke is said to be good for rejuvenating the
mind.
REMEMBER
Just as the
symptoms and causes of depression are different in different people, so are the
ways to feel better. What works for one person might not work for another, and
no one treatment is appropriate in all cases. If you recognize the signs of
depression in yourself or a loved one, take some time to explore the many
treatment options. In most cases, the best approach involves a combination of
social support, lifestyle changes, emotional skills building, and professional
help.