Never Be Afraid to Get the Psychological Help You Need

3 Ways To Treat Mild Depression Without Medication

17 December 2017 by Wayne Owens

While antidepressant medication can be extremely useful for treating the symptoms of moderate or severe depression, medication can also involve serious side effects including weight gain and libido problems. If your depression is on the mild side, it may be possible to alleviate your symptoms and begin feeling content and energetic again without medication. Here are a few ideas for natural treatment of your depression:

Seek Counseling

Talk therapy can be incredibly helpful when facing depression. An experienced therapist will help you learn new tools for managing your emotions in healthy ways so you don't spiral downward into negativity and self-blame. Therapy is also useful for understanding, processing, and healing from traumatic or painful moments from your past that may be contributing to your depression.

Be sure to choose a therapist who you feel comfortable with. Finding the right fit is a very personal choice, and you want someone who makes you feel understood and emotionally safe. Most therapists offer free or discounted initial consultations so you can be sure to find someone who feels like a good match.

Add More Nutrients to Your Diet

Without a well-balanced diet full of vitamins and nutrients, your brain may not have the tools it needs to fight off mild depression. In particular, foods like dark leafy greens, foods containing lots of healthy fats and omega-3s like salmon and walnuts, and berries seem to provide natural mood-boosting benefits.  Challenging yourself to add at least a few depression-busting foods a day to your diet can be a fun challenge that helps you feel your best emotionally and physically.

Get More Vitamin D

Studies have also shown a link between insufficient Vitamin D and depression. Vitamin D is produced naturally by your body when you get regular exposure to sunlight. If you avoid the sun because you are worried about skin cancer, or live in a cloudy climate, you may be Vitamin D deficient.

Luckily, you can supplement your body's natural supply of Vitamin D in a couple of ways. One option is to purchase Vitamin D supplements and take them every day. Alternatively, you may want to purchase a UV therapy light box. This device is used for a short time each day to promote feelings of well-being, especially if you experience seasonal depression.

When experiencing depression symptoms, it is always important to talk to your doctor. They can help you decide if medication will be beneficial in addition to these natural depression remedies. Contact a clinic, like Dr Kuris Counseling Centers , for more help.

Share

Search