Depression is one of the most common mood disorders of the 21st century. Many different factors can contribute to the occurrence of depression, including the loss of a close one to the loss of a job, among other factors. What we are talking about here is an ongoing problem that can last several weeks, months, and even years.
Characteristic symptoms of depression include sadness and loss of interest. It is estimated that around 16.2 million adults in the United States have suffered through at least one major depressive episode throughout any given year. And while most cases of depression are handled by prescribing antidepressants, it seems that they do not work for everyone.
That leads to the question – Is there any other way that we could treat depression? Is the holistic approach a good idea as a part of the treatment? And can we expect any positive results? These are the questions that bring us to you today. In today’s article, we will discuss the potential use of more holistic methods as treatment methods for depression.
A holistic approach to treating mild to severe depression
From a holistic perspective, there are many things that a depression patient can do to improve his/her physical and mental health. In the following, we will share some of the best holistic methods that can be used as a part of the treatment of depression. You may be surprised to learn how many of them have been actually supported by science as well.
- Exercise
Regular physical activity of any kind has been shown effective in both preventing and eliminating various health issues – from high blood pressure and diabetes, to even arthritis. Well, add depression to that list as well, because exercise has been proven effective in treating depression as well.
Choose any type of exercise – from running or jogging to going to the gym or signing for a spin class. Any physical activity would do you good, really. Not only will it help you get stronger and more confident, but it will also improve your mood and sleep, reduce your anxiety and stress, and even give you the chance to meet new people. One physical activity that we would recommend is yoga, which seems to have a special place as a part of the depression and anxiety treatment plan.
- Mindfulness and meditation
Stress and anxiety are major triggers for depression, which is why it is good to have something as effective as a mindful meditation to lean on for support. Although sitting still for only 5 minutes a day may seem impossible when you are feeling depressed and anxious, it will do you a lot of good.
Meditation changes the way that the brain responds to stress and anxiety, guiding it to achieve focus and to return to focus whenever those negative feelings and thoughts come back. In a research published in 2014, meditation and practicing mindfulness has been found as an effective way to cope with stress and treat depressive symptoms as a part of the acute and subacute phases of the depression treatment.
- Sunlight
Getting more sunlight seems the perfect holistic approach to treating seasonal depression. Going out for some fresh air and getting some sunlight and with that, Vitamin D, of course, seems quite the effective holistic method that is bound to help you get rid of your depression symptoms.
- Dietary supplements
Dietary supplements help us replace the nutrients that we fail to introduce through our diet. While there are many dietary supplements to choose from, there are a few which are considered a must for anyone who is struggling with mood disorders. The list would include Omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin D-3, probiotics, Vitamin B6, and others.
- Healthy eating
The intake of added sugars and unhealthy fats has been linked to the occurrence of depression symptoms in multiple populations. If you want to get rid of the unwanted depression symptoms, you need to clean your diet and, with that, your body as well. Think about the foods that you are usually eating. Make an effort to replace any added sugars and sweetened beverages, fast foods, unhealthy fats, and sodium from your diet as much as possible.
Include more whole foods such as fruits and veggies, clean protein, fiber, and healthy fats and sugars instead, and you will notice a difference in your mood and well-being right away. This is a method that will help you to live a healthier life, free of not only depression but also the common health issues that threaten your health as well.
- Acupuncture
If you have wanted to experiment with acupuncture, now is a good time to do that. Acupuncture has multiple health benefits, one of which is the relief of any depression symptoms. In fact, in a 2013 study, it was shown that acupuncture is just as effective as Prozac in treating the symptoms of depression. And the side-effects of acupuncture, as compared to those of Prozac, are a lot less dangerous if you think about that.
Final Words
Treating depression does not have to be hard, and it certainly does not have to come with a long list of potential side-effects that the commonly used antidepressants can lead to. That is exactly why we chose to talk about depression treatment from a holistic point of view. Here at Rose Canyon Health & Wellness, we are offering to help you throughout your depression treatment by offering a wide range of holistic methods that you could try out.
