Depression is on rise everywhere in the world due to modern stressful lifestyle, but there are a number of home remedies that can take you out of depression. You may also require some dietary and lifestyle changes for quicker results.
If you are constantly feeling sad and empty, losing interest in pleasures of life and sleep and appetite is disrupted, then it may be the onset of depression.
It is normal to have such feelings when chips are down, but if these feelings lingers on for longer and extends into days and weeks, then it certainly is depression. However, if it has been going on for months then it is clinical depression which requires medical attention through drugs and counseling.
Normal depression which has extended into days can be managed easily by natural products and lifestyle changes.
Both nutritional intake and lack of exercise have significant impact on the moods, therefore you may require some adjustments in food and physical activities to get rid of depression.
The long term impact of exercise is multiple, a little bit of sunlight exposure daily in the morning can brighten up your moods to stop chronic depression.
At the same time, there are some quick fixes that can give you immediate relief from depression.
Home Remedies for Getting Immediate Relief from Depression
1. Magnet
There are now many scientific evidences proving the remedial capabilities of this Chinese method to get relief from depression.
Magnet has been used for curing many conditioned and diseases for centuries. An ancient Chinese remedy of acupressure used with magnets can help you get out of depression faster.
You can wear the magnet for 4-8 hours on selected pressure points or tap the magnet on those pressure points.
You should learn from an expert before you do it yourself or help someone else. Understanding of pressure points is very important as well as tapping techniques.
There are two major pressure points in our body which help us relieve depression. One is in the hands and the other is in feet.
2. Chamomile Tea
Chamomile Tea provides better sleep. Sleeping better improves general well being and helps reduce depression. Make one cup of chamomile tea, add some honey and if you prefer add some milk, though adding milk is not necessary.
3. Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Different types of fishes have the highest concentration of Omega 3 fatty acids. Sea foods such as salmon, halibut, tuna and scallops.
If you are not a fish eater, then you can take fish oil capsules. Depending on the potency of the capsules you can consume a number of capsules as instructed. Eat omega 3 fatty acids daily to remain cheerful.
Include Flax Seeds in your breakfast. Flax seeds are available everywhere and are vegetarian way of consuming Omega 3.
So, depending on your eating preferences, you can choose from different food products containing Omega 3 for managing your depression.
4. St John Wort
Both mild and moderate depression patients get significant benefits from St John Wort. It won't give immediate results but within a week of regular intake you will start seeing results.
Within the next 6 weeks you will feel the full benefits. Many people may get benefits faster.
First signs of improvements will come from better sleep. You will gradually begin to feel the soundness and quality of improved sleep. Then you will see appetite improvements.
Finally your energy levels will begin to improve and you will feel general well being. That is the time depression is taking leave from you.
You can take St John's wort 3 times a day with a meal. You can begin with lower doses first and then increase gradually. 300 milligrams a day is a good starting point. You can consume it for months
In addition to the above remedies, you can keep a diary logging every time you have felt depressed. Read this diary when you feel depressed again.
Reading will help you to realize that you had got out of those depressive states. This awareness that the depression is not going to last forever will immediately help you to shift your focus to other important aspects of your life that require attention.
Once you get involved in the other things, your mind will stop playing games and you will not feel depressed.
Lifestyle Changes to relieve Depression
What your body does or doesn't do has a significant impact on your overall well being. Sedentary lifestyle of today has ruined many health benefits that an active lifestyle gives.
Make the following changes in your lifestyle not only for getting rid of the depressive moods but also to live a better quality of life. Being depressed most of the time, is certainly not you and your loved ones around you want.
Here are those simple changes that you can make to your lifestyle and stop feeling depressed
5. Sunlight
Begin your day with some sun exposure.
People leaving home early for work and remaining locked up in the air conditioned office environment throughout the day don't see the sunlight at all.
Your lifestyle, job retirements of working in shifts or the general weather conditions may just deprive you of the required sunlight.Lack of sunlight exposure can sap away all your good feelings.
Your body requires sunlight to function well and produce certain brain chemicals that make you feel good. If there is no sunlight exposure to the body, there is no production of those chemicals. Result is feeling sad and empty. In other words depressed.
You need at least 30 minutes of exposure to the sunlight to live both mentally and physically healthy. Best time to get the right quality of sun exposure is in the morning when the sun is not very bright and hot.
If you can't get the 30 minute exposure at a time then divide it into 2-3 parts of exposure of 15 or 10 minutes each.
All depressions may not be caused by the lack of sun exposure but every depression can be reduced or cured with proper daily sun exposure.
6. Exercise
Most of us live a sedentary lifestyle. Our bodies don't get enough exercise because of the technological advancements and the nature of work in the corporate work or businesses. Once again, like the sunlight exposure, the exercise also changes chemical balance in the brain. Exercise releases brain chemical which makes you feel good.
The mechanism in the exercise that relieves depression is altering the mood-regulating brain chemicals norepinephrine and serotonin.Endorphins release during exercise is also responsible for the feeling good factor.
Don't underestimate the power of exercise. Some doctors believe that one hour of exercise a day can be more powerful than any powerful antidepressant.
This is profound. Simply begin exercise and be happy. The best exercise is a brisk walk of 45 minutes daily to remain mentally and physically healthy. But to get rid of depression you need to release more of those chemicals. Make it a habit to walk for 60 minutes everyday, 7 days a week.
7. Music
If you don't listen to music, then start listening. Whenever you feel depressed or just bored, listen to your favorite music.
Dance with music. It will give you double benefits from both physical activity of the dance and mental engagement of the music.
Just get involved. Music of your choice will get you engaged in the brain activities that will shift your attention from the depressive thoughts that clog your mind during those bouts of depression.
It will do magic by lifting your spirits. Your focus will shift to enjoying the music. Listen to whatever you like. Whatever keeps you engaged and makes you happy. It is your life.