Alternative Treatment For Depression

Alternative Treatment For Depression

There are many reasons why one might not want to take traditional medication for the treatment of depression. They may have other health concerns that do not make it possible. They may not like the way that the medication makes them feel, or they may just prefer natural treatments when possible. Regardless of the reason, there is alternative treatment for depression available. It all comes down to what you do, what you eat, and what you smell.

First, science has proven that exercise works very well in the treatment of depression. When we exercise, the brain releases endorphins that give us our sense of well-being. You've probably been told to "get some fresh air." This actually works, but it isn't necessarily the fresh air that you are breathing that is making you feel better -- it is the act of breathing. You may also feel better while or after being outdoors, because sunshine increases the amount of serotonin being released in the brain.

Eating right is important for numerous reasons, but you can eat certain foods that make you feel better. Chocolate is a favorite. If you go with this choice, however, choose dark chocolate, as it has many health benefits. Mainly what you need, however, is fresh fruits and vegetables. For these, you can think of it as "eating sunshine."

Herbs play a vital role in the natural treatment of depression as well. St. John's Wort is highly effective in treating depression, and is said to work just as well as popular chemical medications on the market today, such as Paxil and Zoloft.

Of course, aside from ingesting herbs that help with depression, smelling them is also effective. Suggested scents are clary sage, basil, rose, ylang-ylang, sandalwood, lavender, jasmine, and rosemary. When you purchase herbs for aromatherapy, make sure that you purchase the essential oil of the herb.

As you can see, there really are alternatives to chemical medications; however, if you are suffering from depression, it is still vital that you visit your doctor. Many doctors believe in natural healing as much as they believe in chemical healing, and will work with you for alternative treatment.