There are millions of people all over the world struggling with depression, anxiety and stress. Sometimes they are brief moments or day but for others it’s a daily situation. If you’re anything like me, you don’t want to take medications in fear it may make the symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress more severe. Some would rather take a more holistic approach to these issues to avoid harmful side effects from prescription medication. Here are a few easy helpful hints to help ease the depression, anxiety and stress naturally:
1) Eat a healthy diet including fresh fruits, vegetables, and omega three fatty acids. Avoid foods with lots of caffeine and sugar. One great way to chase the blues away is two ripe bananas a day . Bananas contain the chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine, which are believed to help prevent depression.
2) Acupressure away the pressure of the day by getting a firm grip on your ankle. Using your thumb and third finger, place one just below the inside of your anklebone, and the other finger on the indentation directly below your outer anklebone. Keep steady pressure on the spot as you count down from 100 to one, slowly. This is a great way to help relieve stress.
3) Regular exercise can be as effective at treating depression as medication. Not only does exercise boost serotonin, endorphins, and other feel-good brain chemicals, it triggers the growth of new brain cells and connections, just like antidepressants do.
4) Our daily environment and our relationships have a strong association with depression. One example is seasonal affective disorder (SAD) which can be treated with bright lights.
5) Get quality sleep: it may sound like trite advice, but this is essential… Getting the right amount of high quality sleep is a key step in managing anxiety disorder. One practice that helps is creating a tech free hour right before you go to bed. Turn off the TV, computer and your phone. Read, meditate, journal, have a cup of herbal tea. Relax. Set up a healthy routine and repeat it night after night until it is habit.
Anxiety, depression and stress are horrible conditions, but it is possible to win the battle without medication. Sometimes, overcoming worry and nervousness is simply a matter of modifying your behavior, thoughts, and lifestyle. You can start with a drug-free approach, and then speak with a doctor if your symptoms don’t improve or worsen. These drug-free, antianxiety tactics can even help you complement your medication regimen. Do what works for you, and know that these conditions do not control your life.
