Baby Boomers U. S. (The Blog) |
| Natural Remedies for Depression Posted: 11 Dec 2011 02:40 AM PST This is a Guest Post by Amanda Tradwick of CollegeGrants.org. If you would like to Guest Post for Baby Boomers US, check out our Guest Post for Us page. Depression can be a problem for anyone at any time in life. Feelings of isolation, changing identity, the loss of loved ones and everyday stresses can all lead to depression, whether brief and minor episodes or more serious, clinical cases. However, expensive drugs such as anti-depressants do not have to be the only option for finding relief from depression. Though a qualified therapist should always be consulted to diagnose and treat depression; there are many steps that you can take to help relieve depression naturally: Get More Exercise Regular exercise is a natural mood booster and it helps to improve overall fitness and well-being. Exercise releases feel-good chemicals in the brain, such as endorphins and serotonin. It also helps to regulate a wide variety of hormones, many of which can influence mood. Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of exercise five times a week to see benefits. A simple walk or other moderate activity is sufficient — you don’t have to pump iron everyday in the Change Your Diet What you eat has a significant impact on how you feel. Excess sugar and other stimulants such as caffeine can lead to dramatic mood swings and can alter your hormonal balance. Adopting a healthy diet will also lead to overall health and wellness, which can reduce pain, improve feelings of well-being, and improve confidence, all of which can help reduce the symptoms of depression. Get More Sleep Not getting enough sleep can lead to significant health problems, including chronic stress, fatigue, anxiety, and more. All of these can cause or exacerbate symptoms of depression. Get at least eight hours of quality, uninterrupted sleep each night to ensure proper health and well-being. Pay attention to your body: If you need more sleep, make time for it. Not everyone has the same sleep needs, so some people will need to sleep more. Reduce Stress Chronic stress has been shown to lead to depression. Find ways to reduce or eliminate stress and other tension in your daily life. Prioritize your commitments, end toxic relationships, and make time to do more things that make you happy. Some stress can be good for us — helping to motivate and inspire us — but too much can lead to long-term health consequences, including depression. Take Supplements There are many herbal and dietary supplements that are said to help reduce the symptoms of depression and to promote wellness by stabilizing mood and balancing hormones. Some of these include St. John’s Wort, Vitamin B, SAM-e, and Omega-3 fatty acids. Talk to your doctor to see if any of these supplements are appropriate for your symptoms, then experiment to see what works. Though you should always talk to a qualified professional about any symptoms of depression you may be experiencing, many of these natural remedies can provide some relief. If your case is severe, you may have to take medication to improve. About the Author: Amanda Tradwick is a grant researcher and writer for CollegeGrants.org. She has a bachelor’s degrees from the University of Delaware, and has recently finished research on grants for adults and grants in mississippi. You may also want to join the Baby Boomers US Forum for conversations by Baby Boomers about topics important to Baby Boomers! 
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