Natural Antidepressants

NATURAL ANTIDEPRESSANTS CONTRIBUTED BY SITE VISITORS

Although they may seem simplistic, these strategies actually do work and in fact are working in people's lives right now. Many have found that these kinds of practical ideas are an unexpectedly good alternative to the depression medications route.

Remember that depression is all about feeling overwhelmed, so simplifying is good. Just pick just one area and begin there.

20 NATURAL ANTIDEPRESSANTS THAT REALLY WORK

1. Immediately seek help from a medical professional if thoughts of suicide seem like a solution. Ask lots of questions about depression medications, side effects, short term and long term alternatives etc.

2. Learn stress management as quickly as possible. Learn the difference between signs of stress and signs of depression. Learn how to deal with stress quickly with intervention methods such as deep breathing, using positive mental affirmation, taking a mental imagery vacation, learning how to mini-meditate, or simply take a 10 minute hot shower with calming aromatherapy soap.

3. Learn how to FORGIVE yourself and others. Forgiving is fo giving not for holding in. If you don't know how check with your neighborhood church for instruction.

4. While your there join some church groups for emotional and practical support. Depression flourishes in isolation and reclusion.

5. Accept that the opposite of depression is expansion. Expanding your life is a powerful antidote for depression.

6. Walk everyday. Or do some sort of exercise that will raise your heart rate and breathing slightly. Even mild exercise, as long as it is done daily, causes the release of endorphins (the "feel good" neurochemicals) in your brain. Numerous research studies have shown walking/exercising to have as great a positive effect on the brain, or greater, than prescription antidepressants.

7. Negotiate a peace agreement, or at least a compromise, with your critical "Inner Judge" who constantly persecutes you unfairly. No one can make you feel inferior without your permission (that's a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt).

8. Lose your pride and graciously welcome and accept ALL the help you can get -- if people offer, accept; if you need help, learn to ask for it!

9. Get organized and/or ask for help in doing so. It's especially important to do so around daily routines such as morning rituals, errands, chores, mealtimes, baths, bedtimes and family fun time.

10. Commit to a non-clutter policy in your home and work area. Research has shown that living/working with clutter is a serious mental despondent. Starting today, only looking at mail once. Delete email too. Recycle household items continually -- if you're out of space, it's time to recycle. Get your kids involved.

11. If you are a single mom, or a work from home parent, create a parent co-op, where you can switch on and off with transporting kids, doing house or apartment projects, babysitting for each other. Give yourself a break.

12. Ask yourself, are you doing for your children, or someone else, what they can do for themselves? Encourage their sense of mastery and independence while you take back your life.

13. Laugh every day. Keep a sense of humor. How often have you heard people say, "If I didn't laugh I don't know what I'd do." Laughter acts on the same pleasure centers in the brain as dope does; it is a natural antidepressant that release "good brain chemicals".

14. Singles parents, get your children out of the house more. Involve them in camps, church, Sunday Bible School, Big Brother/Big Sister Programs etc. Let others offer what you don't have the time or energy to offer.

15. Seek financial advice and follow it. Having direction and a plan beats constant anxious worrying every time!

16. Keep a family calendar. Look at it like an overview of family activities that are well spaced out, neither too far in between, nor too crowded together.

17. Make a list of your stressors. Decide what you have direct control over and focus there. Start with things you can do. With the others, learn to let go.

18. Take mini timeouts just for you! I once knew a mom who had a flamboyant red hat that she called her "timeout hat". The rule was when mom had that hat on no one was allowed to ask her for anything unless the house was on fire.

19. Intentionally shift your brainwave activity with music. Music has a powerful effect on our brain function. Download music tracks one by one from Amazon for $.99 each, so compile yourself a collection of "mood management music", everything that shifts you -- from marching bands, to big bands to lullabies to dancing and singing music.

20. When it's ALL overwhelming, simply BREATHE. When we are depressed we do not breathe deeply and the lack of oxygen can seriously depress our brain function. Just breathe in natural antidepressants in every oxygen molecule. Breathing also helps our stress response 'reset'. Breathe, and then start where you're at.

Learn more about if antidepressants are for you