Depression is a common mental illness experienced by adults. In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that approximately 280 million people around the world currently struggle with this mental health disorder. But while depression is experienced by many, the degree to which each affected person experiences depression can vary greatly. Some people may find themselves completely debilitated by the disorder, while others may be able to manage it with some outside help. If you fall into the latter category and are hesitant to try medication for your symptoms, here are a few tips on how to fight depression without medication.
Reach out to a mental health professional to get the support you need.
Whether you’re dealing with a seasonal affective disorder or dysthymia (low-grade depression), reaching out to a mental health professional who’s trained to help you better understand your depression and arm you with the tools to battle it is crucial to your healing journey. If you’re looking for a medication-free experience, you can always head over to intensivetherapyretreat.com. They offer those dealing with trauma and mental health disorders like anxiety and depression full- and half-day retreats for significant results in the healing process. If you feel like you’ve hit a wall in your treatment or simply don’t know what to do about your depression symptoms, a retreat may be just what you need to get back on track without having to rely on medication.
Uplift your mood with various self-care strategies.
When you think of self-care, what do you envision? For some, self-care is a trend in which you throw a bath bomb in your bathtub or burn some aromatherapy oils and experience instant relief. The reality? Self-care is designed to help you focus on your physical and emotional well-being using various tools or practices so that you can improve your quality of life. For those with depression, mental health self-care may look like exercising more, eating nourishing foods, getting more sleep at night, and saying no to things that no longer serve you. You may also add new exercises to your routine like yoga or mindfulness meditation.
Of course, the act of self-care can also refer to doing something that makes you feel better. For example, let’s imagine that you’re feeling depressed because your child has gone off to college and you’re having trouble adjusting to your new environment. Doing something solely for you that allows you to reinvent yourself and feel more comfortable in your space may be helpful. You can start simple with one room like your bathroom. Given that this is the place where most self-care happens, looking for decor like new kitchen sinks, mirrors, and faucets can help you create a space that feels distinctly like you. Then, you can look for bathroom accessories like towels, bath mats, and wall decor that enhance your interior design and overall comfort in your space. Starting your new journey begins with a quick online search (like bathroom accessories online in Australia, for example).
Look for natural remedies that may offer mood support.
When it comes to mood support, there are ample supplements out there leveraging vitamins and herbs to improve your outlook on life. Speak with your doctor to see which, if any, may be the right fit for you. With a combination of therapy, lifestyle changes, and supplements, you may be able to work through your symptoms of depression and get to a place where you feel like your normal self again. That being said, it’s always important to get advice from a doctor and do your research, as some supplements may provide no results or contain ingredients that can do more harm than good.
Some people have serious cases of depression, and medication is sometimes necessary as a tool to help you stabilize your mood. However, if you feel as though your depression isn’t severely debilitating and that you may be successful in working on it without medication, reach out to a mental health professional and consider some of the tips above.