Bouncing Back from Back Surgery

If you struggle with depression, you may be looking for a treatment that can help. Medication is sometimes the answer, but other times natural depression treatments can work too. You may need to discuss your treatment options with your doctor to make sure you get the best care. Here are natural depression treatments to know about.

Regular Exercise

When you're depressed, you may slouch in a chair or on the sofa most of the time. It can be difficult to get up the energy or motivation to exercise. However, forcing yourself to get started could do you a world of good.

Regular exercise boosts feel-good neurotransmitters. Plus, exercise is good for your general health too, so it is worth adding to your daily routine, even if all you do is walk around the neighborhood.

Supplements

There are several supplements on the market that could boost your mood and fight depression. It's a good idea to get help from a doctor or other professional when choosing supplements. Just because supplements may be natural, it doesn't mean they can't interfere with the medications you take or that they are always right for your condition.

Improved Diet

Eating a clean diet might do wonders for improving your depression. You may feel worse if you live on sugar, junk food, and caffeine. By eating a healthy diet, you'll get the nutrients your brain and body need to function properly. Plus, you'll have more energy to exercise when your body is nourished well.

Improved Sleep

If you worry at night and your mind races, you may suffer the consequences the next day. Insomnia is tough to deal with and often requires that you keep a set schedule and avoid stimulation at bedtime. You may want natural ways to help you sleep if you want to avoid medications when possible.

Light Therapy

If your depression is worse in the winter, your symptoms may be triggered by short days with reduced daylight. You might benefit from a light box that emits full-spectrum light so your body thinks days are longer. You can buy a light therapy device over the counter, so it may be worth trying with the approval of your doctor.

Control Medical Conditions

You might talk to your doctor about testing for medical conditions that contribute to your depression. This lets you know if you need treatment that could also help your depression. For instance, if you have type 2 diabetes, you'll want to change your diet or even take medications so you can avoid swings in blood sugar that affect your emotions. 

For more info about depression, contact a local doctor.