Depression is a struggle, not just for the people that have it, but for their family and friends as well. There are numerous causes for depression, and numerous things that depression causes people to do. Not every person suffering from depression will reach the point to where suicide even crosses their mind, but it is always a possibility.
That is how serious this illness really is. No matter how serious it is, there is help out there for every person that is suffering from even the mildest depression. Even if the idea of being on a mind altering medication scares you, there is help for depression that doesn’t need to include prescription medications.
You don’t, however, want to begin self medicating with drugs or alcohol. While the side effects of properly prescribed medications may sometimes scare you, the effects of ODing on illegal drugs or abused prescription drugs, or the effects of alcohol poisoning from abusing drinks, can be far worse and could lead to death.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture can trigger different impulses in your body, which is why it is used for numerous things; from helping people quit smoking to fighting off migraines. Another thing acupuncture has been used for is fighting depression and anxiety.
The mood swings, the fatigue, and other symptoms of depression can often be relieved with acupuncture, or even acupressure. Acupuncture uses small needles, called filaments, that are about the thickness of a strand of hair. Acupressure uses pressure on these same points, often with fingers.
Ketamine Therapy
Ketamine therapy is a holistic therapy that is used mainly for both pain management for relieving depression. It has antidepressant effects on mood disorders, not just on depression itself. It is an infusion treatment, that rebalances the glutamate system in your body, helping rebalance your internal chemicals that help with brain function.
Meditation And Yoga
Both meditation and yoga are great ways to relax your mind and body. You breathe differently during both of these actions, which can help you relax and get a clearer focus on things. Meditation allows you some time away, in silence, from the hustle and bustle of it all.
Yoga can give you some exercise that isn’t too exhausting for you when you are deeply depressed. Depression not only causes fatigue, but it can also make it hard to do even the simplest daily activities. A few simple yoga poses can begin to turn your mood around quickly.
Talk Therapy
Psychotherapy is often the best place to start with issues with depression and people interested in using this form of therapy should look at this. Even if you’ve just gotten started on your meds, or haven’t started on them at all, talking about the problems can be a great start. Although, some people feel like simply talking is no help at all.
For some people, just having someone there as a sounding board is enough. There are different forms of talk therapy, and different people to talk to. Who you talk to will depend on your degree of depression.
Art And Music Therapy
If talking about your problems seems too scary or overwhelming, or just doesn’t work for you, there are other therapies you can try. Consider art therapy, where you can draw, color, or paint your feelings. You don’t have to be an artist to use art for relaxation.
Music therapy can come in a couple different forms. You can listen to music, and find relaxation in the songs. You can also learn to play an instrument, which can help you refocus your thoughts and energies.
Herbal Therapy
Herbal therapy is another treatment that can come in different forms. You can try something like Kava, which is mood lifting, or ebe St. John’s Wort. However, the later can have negative effects on other medications.
Diet And Exercise
Eating the right foods can help lift your mood. Make sure you are getting all of the vitamins that you need, especially vitamin D. The best form for that is to get 15 minutes of sun each and every day (even in the winter). Eat your fruits and vegetables, and plenty of things like fish, which contain healthy fats that are good for your brain.
Exercise, especially the aerobic kind, helps release endorphins, which are natural feel good hormones. They make you happy, even when you are sad. It’s just a matter of getting started.