If you're considering herbal supplements for depression, the most important thing to find out is whether they are effective and how they compare to prescription drugs. In this article, you will learn how taking a natural, well-rounded approach may be just what you need to get your life back.
In our culture, we have been trained through advertising and media that when something is wrong, we need to take a drug to fix it. What most people do not realize is that drugs do not cure anything, instead, they only suppress the symptoms. If you have ever taken a prescription depression medication, then you know that once you get off it, the symptoms will return.
Worse yet, drugs can worsen the symptoms of depression with side effects like weight gain, a sense of impending doom and suicidal thoughts. When a drug worsens the symptoms that it is designed to correct, you have to be concerned about both its short term and long term effectiveness and safety.
This is why more and more people realize that treating depression involves more than just taking synthetic drugs. Treating depression in such a way that you emerge from it and free yourself from the symptoms often involves taking a multifaceted approach and making small changes in lifestyle over time.
Problem is it is almost impossible to change when you're feeling depressed. This is where herbal supplements for depression are extremely helpful. Instead of taking a drug (which has side effects that can make your symptoms worse), you are taking a natural medication made from medicinal herbs that have stood the test of time. Many of these herbs have been used since the dawn of man to elevate mood by producing feel-good neurotransmitters in the brain.
When compared with drugs, these remedies have few side effects. Most people can tolerate them well and will see an improvement in symptoms fairly quickly. Unlike drugs, these remedies do not have long term side effects and will not cause interactions with other medications that you might be taking. In fact in countries that are more progressive in terms of natural health, herbal supplements for depression that contain proven ingredients like St. John's Wort and Passion Flower are the preferred treatment.
Once you're taking the supplements and start to feel a shift in mood, you'll want to add some other elements to your feel-good program. First, start to add more natural foods to your diet. Chemicals in processed foods can adversely affect your moods and do not give your body the nutrients needed to create good health. So eat more fresh green vegetables, fruit, lean meats, nuts and beans. Slowly substitute healthy foods for junk food and soon, you will stop craving the junk food altogether. Also make sure to drink lots of water. In fact, make it your primary beverage.
Next, support your use of herbal supplements for depression with regular exercise. Moderation is the key here. Start small and always begin with an activity that you enjoy. Just going out for a walk in the sunshine has benefits that will lift your mood, release endorphins in your brain and help you feel better about your life. Take time to breathe deeply as you walk and take in the beauty of the natural world around you.
In addition to taking herbal supplements for depression, you may also want to add behavioral therapy to the mix, but start taking the supplements first, so you will be more receptive to treatment. Behavioral therapy teaches coping mechanisms that will teach you how to prevent negative thinking from spiraling your life out of control.
So there you have it: putting aside the prescription drugs and taking a natural, well-rounded approach to depression may be exactly what you need to regain control of your life.
No comments:
Post a Comment