The Best Natural Cures For Depression
In this article, when I talk about natural cures for depression, I’m referring to lifelong changes in the way you think and act–not herbal supplements or other so called “natural depression cures.”
I’m not trying to convince you that prescription drugs are not effective for short-term fixes.
Prescription Depression Medication Is Only A Partial Solution
Usually this will solve only a part of your problem. It’s your long-term dedication to your new way of living that will be your “cure.” Depression is a signal that your life has gotten out of balance; it’s a wake-up call. Therefore curing your depression involves doing whatever it takes to get your life back in balance.
Those adjustments include daily cardiovascular exercise, eating right, quitting smoking, no heavy drinking, and NO ‘recreational’ drugs whatsover. Most likely doing (or stopping) just these things by themselves will “cure” depression in most cases. Only after these adjustments would be things like counseling or other cognitive therapies.
But when some people think of natural cures for depression, they think of herbal ‘meds’ such as St. John’s Wort. The expectation is it’s a “natural” alternative to “Prozac” (for example). But this isn’t surprising. Because we live in an age of ‘instant gratification.’ We’ve been conditioned to expect a quick and easy solution for almost everything that troubles us:
Quick Fix For Everything
No time to cook? Fast food drive throughs are open all night. Need cash at 9 pm? The ATM. Need your oil changed? Jiffy Lube. Need information on stem cell research for a paper due soon? The internet…Need this paper done for you? Have you credit card handy.
…Same for our medical needs: Are you tired? Drink a Rock Star or Red Bull or similar energy drink for a quick burst of energy…heck, even the remotest service station stocks them. Feeling stressed out? Just pop a Valium…You can get a steady supply if you really want to. Don’t want to get pregnant? You guessed it, a pill. Think you may have RLS–”Restless Leg Syndrome?” You sure do, and the big pharmaceutical companies are more than happy to help prove you do–so they can “help” you get rid of it.
So we expect the pharmaceutical companies to have a cure for depression for us, too. And, of course, they do have different drugs for us. Oh, but if it were only that easy, though.
Don’t Expect The Pharmaceutical Industry To Help With A Cure
But while it may be necessary to take a pill in order to get your brain’s chemicals ‘evened out,’ it’s only part of the solution–and by far the easiest part. The hard part–which has been proven more effective (overall) than drugs in curing depression–is daily cardiovascular exercise and eating healthy, amongst other “free” things. (I know you may be thinking that buying & preparing healthy food can be expensive–which can be true.) But this is also the part that gets little or no press…the “grunt work.” This is the part of curing depression that no one want to talk about or admit.
Because there’s no profit in the cure for depression–only the treatment–for pharmaceutical companies, they have limited promotion of things like eating right and exercise.
Your Dedication Will Pay Off Big-Time
Nope, it’s up to the depressed person to motivate him or herself to do these things daily and to NOT abuse drugs or alcohol. And it can’t be a temporary thing like a diet; it must be a habit like bathing.
Accomplishing some of these natural cures for depression is easier said than done. Because if it were easy, not many people would be depressed and need prescription medication in the first place. Somehow, however, you are going to have to take action on an improvement plan for yourself.
Natural Cures For Depression Don’t Come Easy, But Are Worth It!
Natural cures for depression are not easy, but they’re free and sustainable with some effort. Just remember that you can do just about anything you put your mind to. And they’re the only way to a life of fulfillment and happiness. But one thing you MUST do: You must want to get better MORE than stay the same!