All-Natural Alternatives to Anti-Depressants That Deserve A Try by The Green Ace

By: The Green Ace

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A man somberly holding his forehead rests in a brown, leather chair
Photo courtesy of The Green Ace

Source: The Green Ace

The Green Ace shares natural, alternative remedies to help treat depression.

Depression is one of the most serious yet misunderstood issues in the world.

The Green Ace

The condition can affect anyone regardless of their age or any other attribute. Major depressive disorder can make life very difficult for the people affected by it. Sometimes, it’s difficult for depressed patients to even get out of bed.

For most people, the only effective way to counter depression is by taking pharmaceutical anti-depressants. These anti-depressants may be useful in altering your mood for a while, but once their effect wears down, the impending feeling of doom returns.

Your body can also develop a dependency on pharmaceutical anti-depressants, so when you finally try to get off them, you can have to face some severe withdrawal symptoms.

There are many natural ways to cure depression and improve your mood. Today, I’m going to share some of these natural alternatives to anti-depressants with you.

Make An Appointment with a Therapist

Depression is a mental disorder that causes an immense feeling of sadness. It can make the patients stay in a terrible mood and may make you feel like staying alone all the time. But if you want to get better, you will need to get some help.

Conversational therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy can be very effective in curing depression. Unlike pharmaceutical anti-depressants, these forms of therapy won’t just provide you with temporary relief.

Instead, it will help you fix the problem and move towards curing your depression. So, look for a qualified therapist near you and make an appointment now to start your journey towards countering depression.

Exercise Regularly

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Adults running and biking up a street
Photo courtesy of The Green Ace

Source: The Green Ace

Regular exercise is another effective way to counter depression. Now, you don’t have to start training for a complete marathon, but taking out an hour or a half to work out every day can be very useful in countering depression.

Low-intensity workouts are more effective in increasing your energy levels and decreasing stress.

For a better effect, take your workout outside in nature. Depression can make people want to stay indoors at home all the time, but if you try and go out, you may feel a lot better.

Go for a light jog in the park, or maybe play an outdoor sport. Get your body active and following a schedule for your mental and physical health.

There is extensive research that shows how exercise and physical activity are very effective methods for combating depression. But the issue is that the lack of energy and motivation can make it very hard for depression patients to start exercising. So here are some tips that may help you stick to a healthy and active schedule:

1. Start small and work up gradually
2. Get a friend to go to the gym or the park with you so that you have someone to motivate you on the days that you’re feeling a little low
3. Keep reminding yourself about the amazing benefits of exercising and staying active.

Try Using Cannabis

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Cannabis flower stored in jars
Photo courtesy of The Green Ace

Source: The Green Ace

Even though anti-depressants aren’t a permanent solution, they can provide very effective temporary relief – but is there a natural alternative that can do the same job?

The answer is yes: cannabis is an entirely natural alternative to anti-depressants that can have quite a positive impact on depression patients.

Cannabis can affect the chemical nervous system of the body to trigger the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which can improve your mood and make you feel happier.

However, you need to have the right kind of cannabis strain to get the proper effects. When it comes to Indica vs sativa, you may be wondering which one is better for depressed patients.

The best kind of strain for depressed patients is high energy sativa strains with higher THC content. Such strains can make you feel energetic, instead of making you lazier, and they can knock out any depression that you may be feeling.

Build a Support System

When you’re trying to fight depression, you can’t afford to stay alone all the time. You need to have an adequate support system if you are going to beat it successfully. Look for depression support groups and attend their meetings.

There, you’ll be able to meet other people who are going through the same struggle as you are, and you will meet a lot of recovered patients as well, which will motivate you even further.

Discussing your problems and talking to others can also help you get a load off your shoulders. Additionally, you can interact with your friends and loved ones to get the emotional support you need.

If you don’t feel like going to a support group right now, you can also adopt an emotional support pet, like a dog.

Decrease Your Stress Levels

Stress is one of the main instigators of depression. You can even say that when stress is left unchecked, it can turn into depression. So, if you want to avoid or prevent depression, you need to decrease your stress levels.

There are many different ways to counter stress. You can listen to music, get a massage, go for a vacation, or try some cannabis.

You should also maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle, as it can make you less susceptible to episodes of extreme stress. Controlling your stress levels is essential for the prevention and cure of depression.

Improve Your Sleep Schedule

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A young girl lays face down on a white sheet
Photo courtesy of The Green Ace

Source: The Green Ace

Following a healthy sleep cycle is very important when you are trying to combat stress and depression. Insufficient and improper sleep can make your mood even worse.

Most depression patients also make the mistake of sleeping too much during the day and staying awake at night; this is not right either. According to experts, you should get no more or less than around six to eight hours of sleep daily.

About the Author

Jack is a psychotherapist and neurodegenerative disorders’ expert. He has been practicing in New York for 25 years now, and since then he has been fighting to make marijuana legal in the United States for it comes with numerous health benefits. You can read his blogs at The Green Ace.

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