What can I use to help ease my depression?

Question

I've been in this "funk" for a few months now. I don't want to take any anti-depressants. Yoga has helped somewhat. Craniosacral release and aromatherapy -- not so much. Drinking only makes me cry.

Anything else I can try?

Answer 1

meditation and talking to friends. also outdoor activities

Answer 2

Physical excersice is your best bet. Yoga is alright but it isn't very vigerous and it also gives you time to think which might not be good right now. Try something like running, dirtbiking, boxing weight training. Something that is going to make you breath hard and fill your thinking time with breathing hard. You also might want to start a journal....Just start writing what ever you are thinking in your head do worry about it making sense or anything just write while you are writing you should feel all different kinds of emotions you may cry, push really hard with the pen in anger etc. Then when you feel kind of numb take a break then go back and read what you wrote. That helps so much. You kind of end up looking at what you wrote and put it in a different perspective or laughing at how silly you were for feeling that way etc. Good luck :)

Answer 3

Regular exercise, eating healthy, including a variety of foods, going to bed and getting up on a regular schedule, and getting enough rest are all a good way to start. It might just be that things are tough right now, and you are worn down dealing with them. It happens! Even moving forward (getting up in the morning, going to work, etc) can help. It might resolve itself if you stay active and don't dwell on the downside of things.

If think that you are truly depressed, try an online test like this one:

http://www.med.nyu.edu/psych/screens/depres.html

then take the results to your doctor. It might be a physical problem, or one that you can correct with a change in your daily routine or diet. Alcohol is a depressant, so drinking it might make you more tired and emotional, which probably doesn't help Try not to do it too much. Binge drinking is especially bad for this reason.

Your doctor can also advise you about herbal supplements. Remember that these supplements are not regulated, so you should tell your doctor if you are using them- and especially if you are using them with other medications or supplements (even vitamins). They can have side effects, and you should be sure that anything you take is safe for you.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Sunlight is a natural mood enhancer. The brighter the better. Try to spend about an hour a day in bright sunlight. 30 minutes should be directly in the sunlight. But the other 30 minutes could be sitting on a porch or shady area looking into the sunny area (NEVER look directly at the sun) The vitamin d your skin makes from it is not a vitamin, but a hormone. Many people do not get enough vitamin d from milk (it breaks down with age in the carton). The darker your skin, the more exposure you need to make the optimum amount of vitamin d. Also, the exposure of full specturm light on your retinas helps to release natural mood enhancing chemicals in your body and helps your body clock and your sleep.

Answer 5

A good quality essential fatty acid supplement, such as Carlsons or Nordic Naturals fish oil or cod liver oil at most orgainc food stores and co-ops. The ones at chain stores are often lower quality and have not been screened or filtered for mercury and other heavy metals. I believe the therapuetic doage is about 2 grams per day, or 2 Tbs. There is a great deal of correlation between low levels of EFA's and depression (esp post partum depression) as well as other brain and mood disorders. These nutrients are essentail to the function of neurological function, among other things. We evolved with them and are dependant on them (hence the word essential) most of us do not have nearly enough them in our modern diets.
Of course this is part of an overall plan including what you are already doing which sounds good! Also having an excellent diet, eating foods you love, regular exercise, and attending to those things that you do care about and love, that which inspires you. Journaling, therapy, communing with nature, having supportive friendships/relationships are all ways that can help people.
It is understandable to have periods of depression that take us through the journey of ourselves and we have the potential to confront our own shadows and become stronger and more self knowledgable. Seems like some of this is just a part of the cycles of life. But when it lasts a long time and feels hopeless, it is worth consciously shifting! Good luck to you

Answer 6

Yoga is a good start. Have you tried aerobic exercise. I bet the endorphins would help out a lot. Also, you could try some crafts or sewing or art, whatever, just something that is creative. A sense of accomplishment will go a long way toward helping you, I think. I've been there. Keep trying.

Answer 7

You're on the right track with yoga. Exercise releases a lot of endorphins in the brain that will make you feel better. If I've had a lousy day at work, I strap on my Ipod and go for a long walk. By the time I've hit half a mile, I feel terrific.

Answer 8

If you want to go with an Herbal Supplement, St. John's Wort is good, as well as Vitamin B. Both are known to help with depression.

Sometimes it helps just to talk with someone.

Avoid the alcohol though... alcohol is hardly an anti-depressant... if anything, it will make the problem worse.

Lastly... Music. My personal cure for just about any sort of blues. Grab an MP3 player... pop on some of your favourite tunes... and keep it with you wherever you go. I guarantee... 10 minutes of your favorite songs will pick you up... regardless.

Good luck...

Answer 9

You need more Omega 3s.
Try supplementing with Fish Oil softgels.
Maybe 1000-3000 mg a day to start.

You can also look for the eggs at the grocery store with the most Omega 3's in them to add to your diet. Vegetarian sources such as flax seed and walnuts aren't as potent.

Answer 10

Even though you don't want to use an anti depressant, you could try something to give you a little jump start such as Elavil. It doesn't mean that you have to take it for months and months, but it may help your brain chemistry adjust.
Walking will probably also help you.

Answer 11

Run, Walk, Swim, Jump rope, anything involving exercise. Exercising produces endorphins. What Hawk said about St Johns Wort is good, natures Prozac.