10 Natural Ways to Ease Depression

If you are suffering from depression or seasonal depression, there are many natural options that can help. Of course, you should always see a doctor as well.

1. Supplement with Vitamin D

This vitamin, which is more accurately termed a hormone, has been recently found to play a role in the number of depressive symptoms experienced. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts studied a group of post-menopausal women for a possible correlation between vitamin D and the symptoms of depression. They found that the lower the levels of vitamin D the women had, the more likely they were to experience symptoms of depression.

2. Eat Complex Carbs

If you’re eating a high protein diet or if your diet lacks whole grains, you may be deficient in the building blocks to make important the important neurotransmitter serotonin in your brain—a natural chemical that helps regulate mood. Add fruits and vegetables, beans, and whole grains to your diet.

3. Skip the Caffeine

Research links caffeinated beverages with suppression of serotonin. By skipping the coffee or tea, you’ll give your brain a better chance to make sufficient serotonin to maintain balanced moods.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Tiffany M.

10:46AM PDT on May 11, 2012

Running is definitely a great way to help with depression. Between the feel-good hormones and the sense of achievement, it really is a fantastic mood-lifter.

http://www.understanding-depression-symptoms.com/how-to-overcome-depression.html

send a green star

Dale O.

1:39AM PDT on May 8, 2012

Interesting ideas for mild depression. Some of the tips such as exercise works well as it helps to lower some depression releasing endorphins. It is difficult if extremely depressed to do this as everything becomes an effort. Other tips such as whole grains is fine except for those with allergies. Then elsewhere on Care2 there are those stating that wheat is to blame for depression which is controversial in itself.

An occasional glass of wine is not going to hurt anyone with a meal if it is not done often. Stating that a person with depression cannot have the occasional drink is ridiculous. Alcohol is a depressant yes but like coffee, chocolate and other things these do not have to be a total "give it up forever!" Not everyone with depression is going to knock back tons of alcohol or drink endless cups of coffee or tea. Yes, there are herbal ones but not every one drinks it.

Past Member is not helpful with the disparaging comments about people becoming a bit depressed every now and then, stating they should not sink into it but roll up those sleeves and other pejorative descriptions. Others believe that depression equals laziness and one must pull up those bootstraps and get busy! Depression is not the blues or feeling a bit down every now and then.

Keeping distracted does help but it will not necessarily ease depression.

Danuta W.

12:47AM PDT on May 8, 2012

thanks for sharing this article

Donna H.

5:16PM PDT on May 7, 2012

Thanks for the info.

Janine H.

5:33AM PST on Dec 11, 2011

This is so terrible. Always when i hear about terrible things it makes med sad, and i cannot understand how someone could do something terrible - hurt, rape or kill a person or animal. When i was a child this also happened to me... and surviving this is more terrible than not (parents and other may think different, but a victim?), living with all this pain... living with guilty feelings... full with hate for the own self
No one can understand, because most people cannot imagine this, cannot imagine how much it change. Some of them think, that this would not be so terrible, because all would make some sexual experiences, and so it would not matter if there were some without own interest or wish. This cruel and superficial society makes me sick.

"We have learned to fly the air like birds and swim the sea like fish, but we have not yet learned the simple art of living together as brothers." (Martin Luther King)

Paula G.

9:31PM PST on Dec 2, 2011

Lots of mixed reviews about St. John's Wort effectiveness. As well, if you are on dr prescribed you need to let them know what else you are trying.

Melinda offline K.

8:06PM PST on Nov 27, 2011

actually one of the most important things you can do is maintain healthy gut bacteria since the majority of our happy brain chemicals are manufactured there.

Sarah M.

5:41PM PST on Nov 25, 2011

thanks

5:40PM PST on Nov 25, 2011

Lynn H.

7:41PM PST on Nov 20, 2011

That's a lot of supplements! Should a person take them all? Or is there a way to figure out if something specific is lacking in their diet? Would a doctor be able to give a blood test and tell the person if they're lacking one or more of those vitamins?