What are natural or alternative ways to beat depression?

Question

I have servere depression (I believe it's called clinical depression). I am completely fed up with feeling this way, and have been this way for the last 6 years. I kept thinking that it would get better, but it's obviouse that it's not.

I'm going to be 25 yrs old in November and I realize that there are so many things that I would have wanted to accomplish by now, but my depression has prevented this.

I keep reading about how depression is caused by 'chemical imbalances' in the brain, and it feels like I don't stand a chance at beating it without going on Anti-depressants, but I don't want to go down this route cause I'm worried about the side-effects.

Can anyone suggest natural ways to beat depression that don't involve medication?

Answer 1

Over the last five years I had begun to have increasingly withdraw into a downward spiral of depression..

But now with the method I can fully focus my energy and thoughts into a decisive line on how to make my life better constantly. And it works like magic! I'm beginning to attract people to me once again and things have just been looking up since then.

Helping you eliminate depression?

Answer 2

Ill give you a great big list. Make sure you follow it everyday. You won't see changes instantly but definitely after a week or a few though....
Some of the things are natural but they also cross into the medication category but i put them anyways as i have used all of these with great success and I'm so so so so so glad i didnt take up the offer of Effexor and SSRIS and Klonopin/Xanax when my corrupt doctor offered them to me...

- Excersise - Everyday for at least half an hour . Watch your energy levels surge ! Both aerobic and muscle workouts.

- Good diet - Cut out sugar . Eat a salad each day. Make sure you have at least 90grams of protein per day ( add a protein shake maybe). I lacked protein in my diet but when i added it in my body looked more lean with working out. and i generally have more energy with a protein based diet vs a carbohydrate based diet (pasta , bread, chips , potato) . HOWEVER, carbs are still important . Dont cut them out completely but limit it . Its good to get a balance of all.

- Marijuana - When things are blue as hell and none of the other things in my list work smoke a joint and relax. Even better vaporize the weed. This involves no smoking or combustion and therefore there is no damage being done to your lungs .Smoking occasionally doesnt really do anything anyways to your lungs but best to be safe :) Marijuana is the safest medication out there to combat depression and anxiety .
its no where near as addictive as SSRIS , doesnt do nearly as much brain , body and organ damage and works instantly . Just dont use it as a crutch though . You have been warned. Never good to use anything as a crutch.

- meditation - Mindfullness meditation look into it. Great for anxiety, concentration and more.

- Make sure you socialize - See one person or talk to one person per day. I live in canada and its bloody freezing out and it can get depressing here in winter. But i force myself to walk to a friends house at least once a day to socialize. Not seeing people everyday and keeping to yourself can worsen depression.

- Good sleep schedule - Quality sleep happens when you go to bed before midnight. And have 8-9 hours of sleep. Dont use sleeping pills as they decrease your quality of sleep greatly. If you must use something use Valerian or marijuana.

- St Johns Wort - A natural SSRI if things get super bad. I have found it to give me a sense of calm day to day. Especially when i sleep i no longer wake up with serious anxiety and unable to go back to sleep again.

- Dont be a porn addict. Have actual sex. Or refrain from masturbating to porn. Use your imagination instead. Porn can actually be bad for the brain look it up if used everyday. Its not natural. Many men and women are unaware of this as these studies are relatively new and so is porn culture.

- Volunteer - Doing stuff for other people seems to make me feel better. For people who seriously need help . I dont mean be a pushover. I mean help people who need help . Like i used to help a dude with autism . I learnt alot and it makes you feel grateful for your own life, the world around you and more.