Depression is an old familiar friend of the world. One out of every seven people is said to have suffered from the symptoms of depression at one time in their life. Depression is one of the leading causes of disability in every country of the world. In fact, there are an estimated 150 million people worldwide suffering from depression at any given time.
Luckily, there are plenty of natural ways to battle depression without the use of harsh chemicals. Take a moment to read through this short overview of a few of the best ways to fight depression without the use of prescription medications.
Understanding the cause is key to resolution.
It helps to understand some of the common causes of depression. When individuals are aware of the typical red flags for depression, it is easier to avoid some key agents of depression.
For example, excessive alcohol consumption is a well-known assistant of depression. Avoiding overconsumption of alcohol will ensure that one hurdle is conquered. Here are some examples of a few of the most common causes of depression.
- Stress
- Alcoholism
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Toxic mold
- Hormonal imbalances
- Neurotransmitter imbalances in the brain
- Lack of sun exposureREAD MORE ARTICLES :
Get up and go outside
Sunlight helps our bodies improve their vitamin D levels. Vitamin D levels are a key agent to fighting off depression. The best way to assure a person gets plenty of sunlight is to shoot for at least 20 minutes outside every day.
If individuals live in an area that does not get much sunlight during the day, there are several light therapy options. Some people suffer from seasonal affective disorder, which basically means that their mood is affected by cloudy days and long winters.
Light therapy works to improve the brain’s circadian pacemaker, which is the component of the brain responsible for regulating a person’s sleep cycle.
Healthy diet and exercise habits
Daily exercise releases mood-enhancing endorphins that will help regulate happiness. It is not that a person is incapable of being depressed when they exercise regularly, but physical activity is a great preventative measure against depression.
Most prescription medications that are prescribed for depression work by boosting a person’s serotonin levels. There are natural alternatives that are known to raise an individual’s serotonin levels. Here are a few examples of “happy foods.”
- Omega-3 fatty acids. Foods such as salmon, anchovies, and mackerel.
- Healthy fats like those found in olives, avocados, and coconut oils.
- Protein, specifically those containing tryptophan like turkey.