Natural remedies for depressionMost people feel down once in a while. Depression, as a medical condition, manifests itself through persistent sadness, pessimism, feelings of anxiety and despair. It has both physical and behavioral effects. While the serious cases need medical care, natural treatments can help those suffering from mild depressions and can complement possible medical treatments.It is normal to suffer from a bad mood due to stressful events, unresolved matters or arguments. A feeling of a deeper depression can occur after a significant loss: the failure in marriage, mourning or a professional failure. There are people that, due to such a loss, are unable to recover because they suffer from an imbalance of the cerebral neurotransmitters that can cause a depression even in the absence of a painful event. For these cases, the treatments that have the best results are those recommended by specialists that address both emotional and physical matters. Among those diagnosed with depression, women are in a higher number, largely because they opt for specialist help faster, but also because they can suffer from depressions of a hormonal origin. Did you know?Scientists use selective multiplication and genetic modifications to produce food products richer in tryptophan. This amino acid helps the brain to produce serotonin, a substance that can induce a more optimistic mood. These food products can be used, in the future to fight mild depressions.Reasons:Depressions may have multiple causes.- A general and/or biochemical predisposition to fluctuant moods or depression. - Premenstrual depression, possibly due to a change in hormonal levels. - Postpartum depression, as a result in hormonal changes, but also due to other problems: the lack of a partner or of some other understanding person, isolation, the interruption of professional activity. - Traumatic experiences during childhood, like losing a parent. - Food sensitivity. Those suffering from it can also have other symptoms. - Sensitivity to insufficiency of solar light during winter or the seasonal affective syndrome. Those suffering from it feel the need for sweet and floury food products, gain weight and feel tired. Are you suffering from a serious case of depression?Below you can find possible symptoms of types of depression that need specialized care:- The inability to work or fulfill daily activities. - Lack of interest towards once pleasant activities. - Difficulties in communicating with close persons. - Lack of sexual appetite. - Insomnia and early awakening. - Permanent fatigue. - Cold sensation. - Anxiety, agitation, irascibility. - Excessive ingestion of food products, alcohol or medication. - Low appetite. - Lack of self confidence. - Lack of interest towards your personal appearance. - Inability to make decisions. - Lack of memory and difficulties in focusing. - Vague feeling of guilt. Ways of preventionBecause stressful situations make you vulnerable to depression, reduce their impact through stress control strategies. Here are some examples:- Ask and accept help. - Follow a healthy diet, rich in nutrients that would optimize the functioning of the brain. - Limit the amount of alcohol to 1-2 glasses and that of caffeine to 1-2 cups a day. The increased consumption can have, in time, a depressive action. - Be tolerant with yourself. Enjoy life and avoid setting too high goals. - Get enough sleep every night (usually at least six hours). - Practice yoga, meditation or any other relaxation technique on a regular basis. TreatmentIt is not of much use to tell a depressed person that he/she is lucky or that is high time for him/her to come to his/her senses. But you can do a lot to brighten a depressive mood or to support the therapy prescribed by specialists, for more serious cases of depression.Help from others: Share your concerns, fears and discontents to a person close to your soul. Physical exercises: Exercising makes you concentrate on your body, putting away concerns and cares. Intense exercises cause the production of endorphins in the brain, substances that favor optimism. If you haven't exercised so far, start with a half an hour brisk walk, at least 3 times a week. After transforming exercising into a habit, move on to aerobic dance, which is more demanding. Collective actions, like tennis or team sports are preferable to individual sports, like swimming, that allow the mind to roam freely towards negative thoughts. Diversify the types of exercises and choose only the ones you enjoy. Do not exaggerate in exercising, because you will only feel exhausted instead of energetic and happy with yourself. Diet- Instead of three main meals, try eating less and more often.- Control your appetite for sweets or cheese by consuming light, often and balanced meals. An appetite for various food products can occur due to a low level of the neurotransmitter called serotonin. In order to increase its level, eat food products rich in proteins, in the amino acid called tryptophane. - Pamper yourself once in a while with a chocolate fudge or a helping of French fries. Chocolate contains a compound which is believed to have a positive effect on the consumer's mood. Still, do not consume sugary or fatty food products too often and avoid them completely if you have a sensitivity towards them. - Do not turn to alcohol to "drink away" your misery. This can relax you on the short term, but it depresses the central nervous system, worsening your depression and reducing your ability to face problems. - Limit the consumption of caffeine - If you suspect that your depression is caused by the allergy to a food product, try to trace it and then avoid consuming it. Stress reduction: use strategies to reduce stress to a minimum. For example:- Ensure that those around you understand that your powers are limited when you are not feeling well.- If possible, transfer to others the responsibilities that seem to difficult for you. - Break the more complex and difficult tasks in shorter, more easily accomplished stages. - Make time to reflect on your personal problems and for activities that could help you handle them. Light TherapyThe exposure to bright lights can diminish the winter depression, lowering the level of melatonin and increasing the level of serotonin. You can increase the exposure to light in the following ways:- Get out in open spaces in the middle of the day, for at least a half an hour. - If the doctors allow you, stay in front of a high intensity lamp, between 1/2 hours and 2 hours a day. - Install a powerful fluorescent tube, with a full spectrum, in the room where you spend most of your time during the day. - Use daylight at its maximum. Phytotherapy- The tutsan is the most well known plant as a remedy against mild to moderate depressions.- The tea prepared from a combination of wild oat, verbena and ginseng may have a beneficial effect. Aromatherapy- Daily, take a warm bath in which you have previously placed some drops of lavender, chamomile, bergamot, rose or clary sage oil.- Ask a friend to massage you. Use 2 drops of lavender oil and one drop of chamomile oil for 1 teaspoon sweet almond oil or oil prepared from grape seeds. Floral essences- Wild barley: for a deeper pessimism, in which you think that nothing can help you.- Larch: for a feeling of failure and lack of self confidence. - Mustard: for depression without an apparent reason. Other therapiesA counselor or psychotherapist can help you discover the causes for depression and ways of surpassing it. Laughter therapy can also be efficient for some people.When to refer to a doctor?- You feel unable to help yourself- Your depression has been present for more than 2 weeks
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