How to Beat Depression Naturally

Before knowing how to get out of a depression, it is important to mention that there are two types of depression: reactive depression, responding to a painful fact such as a bereavement, divorce, job layoff or other emotional trauma, and endogenous depression which is due to biological and hormonal disorders, and which can even be hereditary.

Some of the symptoms of depression include alteration of sleep, frequently crying and negative thinking.

You may have heard that exercise is as powerful as an antidepressant, so it is an excellent tool to beat depression. When we exercise, our body activates the production of endorphins and serotonin, also known as happiness hormones, which help to decrease anxiety and increase self-esteem. You can go swimming, run marathons, practice yoga, Pilates, zumba... the options are endless and they all work.

Addressing depression alone is very difficult. Call a friend, spit it all out, tell them what is happening and, above all, how you feel. You are not alone in this, millions of people worldwide suffer from depression and have managed to succeed, however, you do need support. When we unburden and openly talk about what happens to us, our body releases oxytocin, a hormone produced by the pituitary gland in the brain that is related to trust and personal relationships. Avoid confinement, venting and sharing is part of the solution.

Chocolate is a food that helps beat depression because it is rich in tryptophan, an amino acid that the body does not produce and is involved in the production of serotonin. It is not recommended that you eat a chocolate bar every time you feel depressed, but you can choose to eat a little during a crisis.

However, choose dark chocolate as it is healthier and contains less fats than milk chocolate.

Find a hobby is a great way to beat depression naturally. Surely there is some activity you've always wanted to do and no doubt this is the best time to start. Gardening, sewing, Spanish classes and even crafts can be very useful to lift your mood. Moreover, these activities are ideal for meeting new people, making friends, occupy your mind and stop negative thoughts resulting from depression.

When we help others we help ourselves, so doing social work is always a good way to feel good about yourself. Furthermore, doing social work can serve to remind yourself that you are not the only person going through difficult times. Understanding that everyone needs help, including us, is necessary to lift depression. You can join a foundation or any social project in your community. Soon, you'll see that the concept you have of yourself improves and feel doubly grateful.

Meditation is an excellent way to connect with ourselves, with our emotions, and helps us to face ourselves and interact in a better way with the world around us. If you start meditating you'll instantly feel better, as you will connect more with your body and with everything that surrounds you.

If you feel that none of these tips can help lift depression, it is recommended that you get help because you could be suffering from endogenous depression. In theory reactive depression should not last more than six months. When this period is passed psychological or psychiatric counselling is needed because it gives us customized tools for overcoming depression.

This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to How to Beat Depression Naturally, we recommend you visit our Mental health category.