6 Proven Ways To Relieve Symptoms Of Depression

One in three people will suffer from depression at least once in their life. Many people suffer from it permanently.

Leaving depression untreated can lead to a range of other issues in your life – including an increased likelihood of developing insomnia, dependence on drugs or alcohol, putting on weight, developing anxiety, and in the worst cases suicide.

Researchers have spent years trying to work out what causes depression and how it can be cured. In many cases, it cannot be cured but it can be managed.

Many of us know the things that can improve our mental health, but don’t take the time to do them – this is often a side effect of depression.

Here are six ways you can naturally fight depression.

#1 – CBT Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an amazing tool that has come into the spotlight in the last few years.

CBT focuses on rewriting your brain so that you are not so affected by your thoughts. It tried to give practitioners the tools to cope when they are sad, exhausted, or full of anxiety.

There are many different ways to practice CBT – you can go see someone in person, download a CBT app (try Bloom), or find a CBT workbook at your local bookstore.

Power is a great place to look for state-of-the-art medical treatments and forms of therapy.

#2 – Daily Exercise

Most people roll their eyes when we tell them that one of the most effective ways to fight depression is to exercise daily. The tip sounds too simple to work. And sometimes the idea of exercising when you’re depressed can seem like too much.

However, the data shows that exercise is effective in both the short and long term when it comes to relieving depression.

Start small. Don’t push yourself too hard.

Put your headphones on and go for a 5-minute walk. Do 10 pushups when you first get out of bed. Walk to work.

Lots of people think journaling is embarrassing and they don’t want to write down what happened to them that day.

#3 – Journalling

The good news for us is that there are nearly as many types of journaling as there are people in the world.

Some people benefit from journaling about their feelings. Some people benefit from writing down what they’re grateful for. Some people benefit from strategy journaling.

Think about the type of person you are and what makes you happiest. If you like ranting to your friends when you have a bad day, journal about your emotions. If you like seeing the progress you are making in life make a strategy journal.

If you don’t know where to start, write down 5 things you are grateful for every day.

#4 – Meditation

Meditation is an ancient practice. It is literally thousands of years old.

However, neuroscientists in the last 20 years have discovered that meditation literally changes our brains for the better.

Regular meditation can change the way you think, make you more impervious to stress, and make it easier for you to feel happiness.

Just 10 minutes a day is enough to make a difference according to the studies. The key is consistency.

When you are depressed, medication is a great tool because you can do it anywhere and feel instant benefits.

#5 – Drop Alcohol And Cigarettes

Both alcohol and cigarettes can make the symptoms of depression worse. And they affect some people much more intensely than others.

The nicotine in tobacco is not only incredibly bad for your health, but it also suppresses your appetite making you more likely to binge eat, and it stops you from sleeping. Recent studies show that tobacco is worse for our nerves than coffee.

Ever woken up after a night of drinking and being full of anxiety – this happens to more people than they realize. Drinking could be making your depression much worse.

#6 – A Healthy Diet

Our final tip is another one that sounds too easy to be impactful. But trust us it is life-changing.

The more research that is done, the more it is discovered that our gut and the food we eat are closely linked to our minds. Our emotions can affect our health and our health can affect our emotions back.

Most people with depression cannot produce or absorb enough serotonin. There are foods that will help us to do this more effectively. For example, omega-3 (found in oily fish) makes it easier for our brains to absorb and process serotonin.

How To Fight Depression Without Medication