12 Non-Medicinal Ways to Fight Depression (#2 Seems Weird but It Works!)

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If you or someone you love is suffering from depression, then you know what a deep, dark tunnel it can be. You might think that you will never come out of it or that you will never get off the prescription-drug-roller-coaster. You know the one: You try a drug, it seems to work okay, you try taking less of it, you fall back into depression, you try going back to your old dosage, it doesn’t work, you increase the dose, it doesn’t work, your doctor weans you off, tries another drug, it doesn’t work, tries another drug, it takes six weeks to get results, it seems to work … on and on and on.

When most people say they are depressed what they really mean is that they are having a bad day or week. That “depression” is normal and temporary. When we talk about depression in this article, we are talking about a mental illness that goes far beyond feeling depressed because your boss is mad that you showed up late three days in a row.

If you are taking medication, you should never stop taking it without talking to your doctor first as this can result in serious side effects. Before trying any herbal product or lifestyle change, discuss it with your doctor to be certain you are doing the right thing and taking the right dose for you.

Keep reading and let’s look at some of the non-medicinal ways people have been using to win the fight against depression.

1. Knowledge is Power

Sometimes, knowing the root cause of your depression is the key to unlocking the depression cage in which you find yourself. In the Internet age, it is easier than ever to learn about the sources of mental anguish and depression. Learning what might be at the root of this problem can make you feel empowered, and it is extremely liberating!

For example, you might find that your depression is caused by something other than the typical lack of serotonin. Perhaps you suffered from substance abuse in the recent past, or you might have post-traumatic stress disorder from being in the military or having an abusive home life. Learning about the situational causes of depression, and then seeking the appropriate treatment, might be all you need to free yourself from this condition.

2. Eat a “Cheerful” Diet

Okay, so this sounds like something you would tell your five-year-old, but the truth is, eating foods that help improve our output of serotonin can have a dramatic effect. Some foods that are natural serotonin enhancers are:

Fish (cold water fish rich in Ometa-3s such as salmon or sardines)
Eggs (include the yolk!)
Sour cherries
Coconut oil
Avocados
Flaxseed oil or flaxseeds

You can make your life a whole lot easier by not reading food labels and worrying about toxic or unhealthy ingredients, and enjoy a natural diet of fresh vegetables, fruit, and nuts, seeds, organic grass fed chicken and wild-caught fish. These foods nourish both body and mind.

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