At some point we have all had a bad day, the kind that before getting out of bed you already feel that they will go wrong. The reasons: not wanting to get up, feeling down or tired or being irritable and in no mood for anything. However, if you have not only had the occasional bad day, but often feel this way, you could be suffering from depression.
Stress, anxiety, work, problems at home and even emotional conflicts can cause our spirits to drop and we get caught in a depressive picture. In fact, according to scientific studies, depression is the third leading cause of disability in the world.
Medications and depression can sound like an unchanging couple. However, many people are looking for natural alternatives to the commonly prescribed medications for depression , as these can mostly be addictive and have side effects.
Discover 7 natural remedies against depression , which will help you not only to overcome it, but also to avoid it.
7 natural remedies for depression
1. Cannabidiol (CBD)
Do you want to enjoy all the benefits that medical marijuana offers but without getting high? Cannabidiol CBD could be the answer you’ve been looking for.
When we talk about medical marijuana we are referring to strains enriched in CBD, which is the compound responsible for its medicinal activity and with very low levels of tetrahydrocannabidiol. (THC) which is the psychoactive compound that provides that euphoric state that is responsible for elevating you. For its part, CBD is considered a non-psychoactive cannabinoid with sedative properties , which are the cause of the relief of many diseases such as anxiety and depression.
Recent studies found that CBD is not only beneficial in cases of depression and anxiety, but also has medicinal properties that help in cases of joint pain, inflammation, seizures and in slowing the aging of the brain.
2. St. John’s Wort
St. John’s wort or St. John ‘s wort is perhaps the best known natural remedies for depression thanks to its antidepressant action and to treat melancholy.
Herbal medicine has been used for hundreds of years to treat a variety of ailments and disorders. Today science has proven that it is indeed effective. In the case of St. John’s wort, it is even more so than a placebo, which is why in places like Europe it is openly prescribed for depression.
Different studies have proven that this herb even has fewer side effects than prescribed medications when taken by people with moderate depression. However, it has also been proven that it can have negative effects when interacting with medications prescribed for depression and anxiety, so it should be taken into account when consuming it.
3. Ashwagandha
Also known as Indian Cherry or Indian Ginseng , Ashwagandha is an herb that has been used for centuries by practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine as a tonic to deal with a wide variety of conditions.
This herb provides the body with important antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-stress actions, therefore, it is considered effective in reducing anxiety and depression, helping to stimulate mental activity and calm the central nervous system. However, although it is considered a mild sedative, it should not be mixed with benzodiazepines, as they can increase its effects.
4. SAM-e
Our body naturally produces a chemical called SAM-e (S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine) that has been shown to be an effective treatment for depression without the side effects of popularly prescribed depression medications.
SAM-e An amino acid that is found in every cell of our body is produced through methionine , and for several years it has been used as a dietary supplement. However, in Europe it is a prescription drug to combat depression and other psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. On the other hand, in cases of bipolar disorder it should be avoided as it can increase manic episodes.
5. Physical exercise
When we exercise regularly, our levels of endorphins, dopamine and serotonin increase (the same neurochemicals that stimulate antidepressant drugs like Prozac) that give us that pleasant feeling of well-being and joy that all of us look for.
Exercise not only helps our body, but it also keeps our mind positive . Research shows that moderate physical activity reduces symptoms caused by depression and boosts mood, especially when done outdoors.
6. Yoga
The practice of yoga has been shown to have innumerable benefits for our body and our health, including reducing stress, anxiety, hostility, depression and increasing feelings of peace and well-being.
Through its postures and breathing techniques, yoga provides an increase in the connection between mind and body, thus allowing us to feel more control of our thoughts through breathing.
7. Mindfulness
Mindfulness or mindfulness is a state that we achieve through meditation techniques and that means being aware of our thoughts and emotions without judging them.
Mindfulness focuses on awareness of the present moment, thus allowing us to visualize our emotions of anxiety and depression instead of experiencing them. Practicing it daily can help us to make this observation practice a habit, thus allowing us to realize that our depressive thoughts are temporary, and thus achieve calm our mind and move from them effortlessly.
Conclution
Depression is a problem that requires continuous control to prevent it from getting worse and taking over our lives. Natural remedies as well as prescribed medications treat the symptoms of depression, but not its causes; However, natural medicine offers us more and more benefits without the risks that prescribed medicines usually have.
You should also know that depression will not go away just because you take natural or prescribed medications: it is necessary to work on the feelings that keep us in that state of sadness and depression.
References
- Bridget Baker. 9 Natural Treatments for Depression. For Livestrong. [Revised December 2016]
