How to Fight Depression Naturally!

By brownidegrl, eHow Member
Step 1

Exercise. This is probably the number one natural recommendation to help fight depression. It is also most likely the number one thing that you don't feel like doing! Exercise helps depression and anxiety by releasing our "happy" hormones and brain chemicals. You might want to try an exercise class, a nice run outside (or inside on a treadmill), a long walk, or yoga. Try to exercise for at least 30 minutes.

Step 2

Get outside. Sunlight is a great spirit booster. Combine fresh air and sunlight along with a nice long walk or run, you are on your way to feeling much better.

Step 3

Avoid negative or depressed people. It is true that misery loves company. When you are around negative or depressed people, they tend to bring you down too. Next thing you know, you are feeling depressed too! If you are already blue, don't depend on these types of friends to pick you up. Hang around happy, positive people. They will be a great boost for you.

Step 4

Talk to someone. I know, I know, I know. When we are depressed, we just want to be left alone. However, we have to find the strength and convince ourselves that we NEED to talk to someone. MAKE YOURSELF seek out a friend (not an unhappy one!) and talk to them. Sometimes you feel better just getting your thoughts off of your chest. Sometimes, you put your thoughts out there and you realize just how foolish they really are!

Step 5

St. John's Wort. This is an herbal remedy that works for many people. It's definitely worth a try. I have known people to go completely off of anti-depressants and do just fine on St. John's Wort.

Step 6

If you decide to go off of your anti-depressant, speak to your doctor about this. If and when you do decide to stop it, you should wean yourself off of it. Going off of it cold turkey can cause your depression to worsen. You can reduce your pill to a half for period of time, working your way off of them. If you can't cut them, try going to every other day. However, I would consult my doctor and be firm--let him or her know that you plan to go off of them. Please make sure that you have an alternate plan in place.

Step 7

Rest. Make sure that you are getting enough sleep at night. If you are suffering from insomnia, you should know that this could greatly contribute to your depression. Do something about the insomnia and then work on the depression. There are lots of suggestions on the internet to help improve your sleep habits.

Step 8

Read the Bible. The Bible has many prayers and positive messages to help to get us through hard times. Psalms is full of prayers of great people who sought God's help in troubled times and believed that He would help. Proverbs is full of great lessons.

Step 9

Don't let others get you down. I have often heard of depression as being "anger turned inwards." Which means that when we become angry or upset with someone or something, we turn that anger on ourselves. What we should do is get our feelings out in the open and not let those things destroy us personally. Talk to others about how their actions make you feel, talk to a therapist, pray for others, or write them a letter expressing your true feelings (but you may not want to mail it). Sometimes just writing down our feelings helps us to feel much better.

Step 10

Journal. As an extension to the last sentence in the previous paragraph, it really does help to write our feelings down. I have often sat at the computer for an hour, typing away, just getting my thoughts off of my chest. Be totally open and honest. It is quite liberating as it transfers those feelings from you to the document. If you don't want anyone to read your journal entries, there is a way to save it so that you need a password to open it. However, just typing it or writing it and then deleting it will help too!

Step 11

Learn about herbal supplements. They have been found to work for many people.

Step 12

Music. Turn on the music, crank it up, and dance if you feel like it!!! Try some upbeat music, inspirational music, or oldies--anything that will lift your spirits! And we all know that it is always good to move around so let your body move to the beat!!!

Step 13

Love yourself. Love yourself so much that you won't allow yourself to turn your anger inward. You are good and valuable and you deserve love. If you love yourself and you know that God loves you, you can then be capable of receiving love! In turn, you become more lovable!

Step 14

Pray. The best person that you can talk to is God. He listens. Talk to Him as if you were talking to a friend (He IS our friend). Tell Him what is on your heart and ask for His help. If you trust and believe, He will help you. Maybe it won't be in the form that you want or expect, but He will answer.

Remember no matter what God loves you as you are. Everyone has troubles, but the secret is how you respond to those troubles. Take one step at the time and smell the roses out there. So don't give up on yourself and start living with a joyful heart! :)