Struggling with depression?
Here is a complete guide on how to deal with depression in a natural way without pharmaceuticals or taking anything unhealthy.
Get A Diagnosis
Before you go out and do anything, the first step in this process is that you must clearly identify that you actually have depression. Very often, people who are going through difficult times or are just sad may mislabel themselves as being depressed when in reality they may feel down, frustrated, upset, or lethargic.
True depression is something that stems from some form of mental or hormonal imbalance where your emotional psychology is truly out of harmony. The feeling of numbness, emptiness, or indifference that so many depressed patients report is real and is completely separate from regular life emotional ups and downs.
It is highly recommended that you speak with an experienced therapist or counselor who can help you identify what is actually going on so that you are not wasting time and money on solutions that will not serve you.
However, if you cannot afford one you can also try and self diagnose. In this article you will be provided a step-by-step process on how you can try and determine on your own what is causing your depression and what to do about it.
Identify Your Symptoms
One of the best ways to begin the process of diagnosing your depression is to create a list of all of the symptoms you are dealing with. In fact, it would be in your best interest to keep a journal of how you feel throughout the day and keep record of this for at least seven days so that you and your therapist can truly understand what is going on in a broader sense.
Are you feeling bored and apathetic?
Do you feel empty inside and are not sure why?
Have you lost interest in things you normally would be interested in?
Do you find yourself moody and irritable?
Different symptoms can mean different things so its important that you identify what is actually going on.
Isolate The Root Cause
After you have compiled a list of the symptoms you are experiencing, now you can begin to determine what is actually causing them. Listed below are some of the reasons why people become depressed and what you can do about it:
A. Emotional
Cause: One of the many reasons why people become depressed is that they have unresolved emotions that have been piling up in their psyche. Over time when these issues are not dealt with, the person’s well-being can diminish over time.
Solution: You can not avoid your problems in life. They can not be swept under the rug where you hope these things go away. They must be faced head on and ideally you get some help through therapy or counseling.
B. Hormonal
Cause: Either you are not getting enough fat which is causing your brain (which is comprised of 60% fat) to not function properly. Or, your thyroid is out of balance.
Solution: Eat more saturated fat from eggs, steak, coconut oil, butter, and raw milk. Make sure you get high quality sources of these foods from grass fed organic animals that have not been processed with hormones or antibiotics. If it is your thyroid, then you need to find a good iodine supplement. Most of the foods we eat lack this nutrient which is critical for your thyroid.
C. Nutritional
Cause: Eating too much unhealthy foods with sugar. Or drinking alcohol. Both have a major effect on how your brain functions and releases serotonin.
Solution: Stop eating foods with sugar. Stop drinking alcohol. Work with a nutritionist or heath coach who can help you put together a healthy way of eating.
D. Chemical Imbalance & Stress
Cause: When you stress too much, your brains hippocampus shrinks which directly effects your ability to release serotonin. If you have been living a stressful life for more than ten years, the compounding situations have probably shrunk your hippocampus so much that you are not releasing enough serotonin.
Solution: Release stress. Find peace in your life. Learn skills to deal with tough situations in a healthier way. You can also try taking 5HTP to help with the serotonin. Although if you continue to stress the 5HTP will not be very effective.
E. Trauma
Cause: Any time of physical or emotional abuse, violent surroundings, being in an accident, or anything considered extreme that would lead to some form of post traumatic stress disorder. When a person is unable to deal with this type of situation in a healthy way, it can lead to depression.
Solution: Get outside help and find a way to release this trauma so the pain is no longer stored in your mind or body.
F. Lack of Purpose
Cause: Having no sense of direction or meaning to your life. Not having any reason to exist or move forward and progress. When a person is not evolving or participating in life in a meaningful way, you can become stagnant which leads to depression.
Solution: Take the time to find out the meaning of your life and identifying your purpose. Be specific. And if you need help, find a life coach who can guide you.
G. Lack of Sunlight
Cause: Not getting enough sun.
Solution: Spend an hour a day in the sun.
H. Lack of Love
Cause: Not having any meaningful relationships in life especially one with the opposite sex.
Solution: Learn how to find and create meaningful relationships where you can love openly and honestly. Feeling connected to others is critical for a sense of well-being.
I. Detachment
Cause: Spending too much time online and not in the real world. People who are playing too many video games, spending too much time on social media, or watching too many videos each day have become detached from the real world. This has led to a lot of people feeling numb and empty inside because they lack fulfillment from the real world.
Solution: Limit your social screen time to only two hours a day. Go outside and play and get involved with the real world.
J. Poor Sleep
Cause: Not getting enough sleep
Solutions:
1. Turn off all electronic devices one hour before you go to bed. The lights on devices are set up to keep you alert.
2. Read a book in a dimly lit room. By reading a book it will engage the part of your brain that dreams making it easier to fall asleep.
3. Write down all of your worries and concerns on a piece of paper. It will be there the next day so you don’t have to think about it.
4. Try natural sleeping supplements (stay away from pharmaceuticals).
5. Try listening to calming music for 45 minutes before bed time.
6. Take a hot bath with some epsom salt. The warm water will calm your nerves and make you sleepy.
7. Drink some sleepy time tea. The herbs will help you fall asleep.
K. Negative Thoughts
Cause: Thinking too negatively over many years can cause the brain to worry and feel anxious. Over time, the compounding effect can lead to a mood disorder.
Solution: Change your way of thinking. See situations in your life from a different perspective. Try reading our quotes on depression and depression affirmations to help kick start your positive thinking.
