How to Treat Depression Without Drugs

When learning how to treat depression without drugs, you need to also make simple lifestyle changes in order to have the fullest benefits. Anyone who is suffering from being depressed knows that the disease can cause mental, emotional and physical pain. Whether you are using aromatherapies, herbs, supplements or other natural treatments, learning what you need to do in order to take care of yourself all of the time is as important as the "cures."

Things You'll Need

• Exercise plan
• Support group and/or journal

Instructions

1. Exercise regularly. Working out releases "feel good" endorphins that help stimulate your brain. This can make you feel better emotionally as well as to help get rid of aches and muscle tenderness. Being in better shape also boosts your self-confidence, as well as faith in yourself. Set a goal to exercise at least three days a week for 30 minutes at a time. Even if you do not feel like exercising a certain day, tell yourself that you will only do it for five minutes and can then quit if you feel like it. More often than not, once you start, you'll energize yourself enough to finish.

2. Rest frequently. Though this may seem like a contradiction to step one for how to treat your depression without drugs, sleep is a good healer. It is also how your brain recharges itself. If you are forgetting things that you used to remember or just feeling scatterbrained in general, lack of sleep will not help the situation. Make sure to get at least eight hours of solid rest a night. Any less and your brain is not able to work at its fullest capacity. This is the best thing you can do if you are suffering mentally.

3. Join a club that interests you. It will help your mind if you can concentrate on something that you enjoy. Better yet, if it's a sports team you can get your exercise in as well. Volunteering for a cause that you believe in can also help to end the loneliness that you feel. Helping others oftentimes takes your mind off of your own problems, if even for a little while. It will also curb that feeling of helplessness that a lot of clinically depressed people struggle with. It gives you an active role in your own treatment, instead of a passive one.

4. Find a support group for those that are clinically depressed. Sharing your experiences with others allows you to not feel so alone and may also offer you other suggestions on natural treatments that you can do yourself. If you feel that you are not ready to open up to other people about your disease, buy a journal to record your thoughts and feelings in. This may also help you find out about some of your trigger points. You'll be able to identify situations that make you feel worse instead of helping you. It may give you some enlightenment on what and who to avoid while treating your symptoms.

5. Say no. One of the best ways to learn how to treat depression without drugs is too begin treating yourself well. When you need time to yourself, take it. As long as you do not withdraw from life all of the time, everyone needs some alone time. Read a book, take a long bath or even just play solitaire. Take some time to relax and be alone doing an activity that you enjoy.

Tips & Warnings

• Being clinically depressed is a serious disease. This article in no way substitutes for the advice of a medical professional.

• If you, at anytime, have thoughts of harming yourself or others seek immediate medical attention.