Besides excercise, steady sleep, and a good diet, what more can be done to fight depression?

Question

I take a multivitamin daily, two grams of Omega-3 fish oil, and Brahmi.... I'm not interested in taking an antidepressant (like Prozac, Zoloft, etc.) or doing therapy.

Which books have people found helpful?

Answer 1

Sounds like you are doing many things to help. However I am a firm believer that the right antidepressant will work hand in hand with what you already do. I am not too keen on therapy either, had my share,but group sessions are much more helpful in my opinion.
If nothing else the social contact is great.

Answer 2

are you occasionally getting very vigorous exercise? you should push yourself maybe once a week if you can muster the drive.

get sunlight on your face and hands, especially if your depression gets worse in the winter. it's possible that tanning salons help. also, i'm sure you've seen the lamps that you stare at for an hour every morning.

is that multivitamin of high enough quality? i go with twinlab brand and i recommend them. i also recommend a calcium-magnesium. otherwise i don't know how one would get enough calcium without overconsuming dairy. make sure you're getting 100% of zinc. take your multivitamins before an active part of your day. do some research on absorption of vitamins. it's quite complex.

beyond simple exercise, there is posture modification... i don't know what you're doing for exercise now, but ultimately one should try to learn yoga, t'ai chi and kung fu, and bodybuilding basics from knowledgeable persons, and then throw in some cardio and endurance training. i think improving your posture directly makes you feel happier (and more comfortable), and looking better doesn't hurt anything either.

consider whether your ability to sleep is compromised. there is a condition (sleep apnoea) where a person stops breathing in their sleep sometimes dozens of times a night. apparently this can lead to depression.

I found this stuff, MRI brand "NO2" which is time-released capsules of arginine alpha-ketoglutarate (A-AKG)... it makes me much more energetic, and I think that helps my depression quite a bit. Not sure if it helps a large percentage of people.

that's all i can think of... what is this Brahmi? ( i suppose I can look it up)

Answer 3

How do you know you have depression? Did a doctor make a diagnosis or you think so?
If it was a doctor, do what he says, no one else here could give you better advice because we are not certified proffesionals and we do not know the facts of your case.
The thinks you mention and the advice of the other fellow answerers could make some possitive change (make you feel better) but it will not treat the illness itself. That means that one day you might wake up and have really bad thoughts in your mind, despite dieting, exersizing, etc.
I do not want to scare you. Perhaps it is a mild case or even just a mood swing. But my personal expereince says go to the doctor (the best you can afford) and do exactly what he says.

Answer 4

That's about it then. There is only so much you can do. If you're depression is situational or environmental, you may need talk therapy to help. If you're depressed over things that are going on in your life (that is not due to a chemical imbalance), then eating right, exercising and sleeping are going to help only so much.

Although, if you can pinpoint what is causing your depression, then you might can fight it yourself....by getting out with friends more and having fun, getting a job, volunteering, meeting new people, etc. Depends on the cause of your depression.

Answer 5

Fantastic that you choose not to use prescription therapy, todays medicine cannot promise you that it won't harm you in the future. If you are following a good diet, thats awesome, Exercise I believe is the key. But try adding meditation as well. Watch artificial sweetners they are one the key factors they have found in some depression disorders. But another key factor is how you feel about yourself. Every day say one good thing about yourself, don't reflect on what you do not like reflect on the things you do like. Best of Luck and Happy Holidays!

Answer 6

I found that cognative therapy helped me it is where you change your thought patterns, when I was feeling low and not wanting to get out of bed, I would say that I have to get out of bed and I would make myself, then get to what I have to do, I find a routine helps as well, but do get out to the sunshine.

Keeping a diary helps for me too, I can write down if I am having a bad day and look back at it later and I can usually see what triggers it. I know therapy is not something you seem to want to consider but I found it to be very helpful......it is worth the time to tell a stranger your thoughts and feelings they do help and can offer soloutions to you...my therapist said if I wanted to go the natural way with my treatment I could....unfortunatley it didn't work for me the way I hoped and ended up taking an antidepressent sometime you have too to get better.

Answer 7

Regular interaction with people (friends, soon-to-be friends, family, soon-to-be-family ;)

..also helping out other people (volunteering) can really give you a good, lasting, satisfied feeling.

Keep up with the struggle, it's a damn good thing you're avoiding the drugs (and all their nasty side effects)!

Oh, one more thing.. some good quality time spent in the bedroom - not sleeping - can also boost the spirit (if a suitable partner is available)..

Wishing you the best of luck, and much positivity your way!!

Answer 8

I am COMPLETELY non-religious, but taking from the 'twelve-steppers', The Prayer of Serenity helps me when I use it like a mantra, over and over and over, and ponder it's meaning:

Grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Ponder it, repeat it, live it. It helps keep a perspective on things.

Answer 9

Open the windows and let the sun shine in. Get outside if you can or weather permits. Also St. Johns Wort can be used to help also. It's some kind of herb/pill (non-persrciption). You can get it about anywhere.

Answer 10

confident, exercising can actual help. It will enhance the tiers of endorphins on your physique which will elevate your temper. you additionally can try St. John's Wort, that's a organic temper enhancer, or diet B6. seems such as you have been by using plenty - you may additionally evaluate counseling to artwork by using a number of your stress and learn some rest recommendations. Antidepressants artwork as properly, purely evaluate in case you opt to be on them for something of your existence or in case you opt to apply them for a quick quantity of time jointly as gaining knowledge of to administration issues on your individual.