In these modern times, depression and feelings of hopelessness are more common than ever. What with uncertain economic times, the rise of divorce, and life’s stressors, feeling discouraged is almost part of the day-to-day. In fact, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America reports that over 15.7 million adults had experienced at least one major depressive episode in 2014.
Depression impacts the lives of many including parents, children, friends, and family.
The statistics are as alarming with smaller groups of the population, such as teens, college students, and even the elderly. The National Institute of Mental Health reported that 3 million adolescents (12-17 year-olds) in the U.S. had at least one major depressive episode in 2015.
Ways to Help with the Effects of Depression Naturally
In Western Medicine, the common way to treat symptoms of depression is through therapy and anti-depressants such as Prozac and Zoloft. Prescribed medications may relieve some of the symptoms such as lack of concentration, mood swings, insomnia, and fatigue. But, medication also means side effects such as dizziness, nervousness, weight gain, decreased sex drive, and nausea, just to name a few. So if you’re looking for more of a natural approach to dealing with depression, try the following four tips below:
Exercise Daily to Reduce Depression:
Aside from helping you control your weight which can also help increase your self-esteem, exercising regularly also improves your mood. A quick 30-minute gym session or even a simple walk in your neighborhood stimulates various brain chemicals that’ll leave you feeling happier and more relaxed. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins that interact with your brain receptors in order to reduce your perception of pain.
Ibogaine Treatment For Depression:
Speaking of brain receptors, that’s also the magic behind the more holistic approach of ibogaine treatment. This natural substance, from the Tabernanthe Iboga plant in West Africa, allows your brain to reset itself, by firing up your central nervous system to balance your dopamine and serotonin levels. These neurotransmitters are mainly responsible for your mood, and pleasure centers of the brain. So when depression takes hold of you, your emotional responses are off. With a medically-supervised, ibogaine treatment for depression, you can get back to yourself again.
Additional Steps to Fight Depression:
Set Small Goals:
When you’re depressed, you’re not motivated. Not accomplishing things or being unproductive throughout your day can make things even worse, heightening feelings of helplessness. To feel better about yourself, try setting small goals that you can attain on a daily basis. It can be as simple as exercising reaching out to a friend for support or even doing the laundry. Start small and build upon your successes. Before you know it, you’ll feel better about yourself.
Reach Out To A Close Friend:
You may not feel like talking, or even sharing private thoughts with your loved ones, but calling a friend can help you feel less isolated. With depression, it’s easy to feel like shutting the world out is best, however, this makes sadness and discouragement even worse. Confide in someone you feel won’t judge you, someone, who you’ve known for a long time and knows you inside and out. They may be able to not only lend an ear but maybe a different perspective too.
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