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* EFT (see Brad Yates, YouTube) - you can do EFT on any issue and you will feel relief
* 4/7/8 breathing - Inhale for 4, hold for 7, exhale for 8 (very effective for sleep)
* edibles (if legal in your state)
* Homeopathy - find a good therapist online - amazing results are possible
* Vitamins: B, C, D, Zinc, etc. - research those good for depression
* Make a list of fun stuff and start doing stuff on the list
* Dogs. Dogs are anti-depressants
* Massage
* Healthy, organic diet
* Hydrate - drink lots of filtered water
* Exercise - walk every day, if you can
* Volunteer - do good for others, no matter how small (smile at people, help people)
That is excellent advice! If someone were to write down everything on that list and attempt them all, and at least stick with half of them, your depression would either be cut in half, or disappear completely.
Speaking strictly for myself, when I was depressed and a doctor prescribed Lexapro, for the year and a half I was on it, I was more depressed than ever. Like an idiot I never thought the medication could be making me feel worse, I attributed it to my environment, and the things that caused me to be depressed. Once I finally realized Lexapro was not helping, I stopped using it, and it felt like a fog lifted. I've never taken another prescription for depression since then.
What worked wonders for years was running, I did it for the mental benefits, it seriously lifted my mood, for an entire day after a run. I ran at least every other day. An injury in 2011 put an end to running, and I notice it. I've not found anything to replace that, but a combination of things can help. Your list is a great start.
I struggled with this also in the past. I tried so many things and what works for me is:
- a very clean diet, very very low carbs, no sugar, no processed food, no alcohol, no coffee, no gluten. The most important for me is very low carbs. It's key for my mental health. I read about it extensively. There is new data about it.
- working out at least 3 times a week. I like lifting weights, doing Yoga and Pilates and a form of Callanetics. I tried QiGong and walking in nature. I do that some times also but most of the time I do Pilates/Yoga and squats.
- no screens first thing in the morning and before I go to sleep. For about one hour each. No internet, no phone, no tv, nothing. I knit, play with my cat, do the dishes, read etc.
- using positive affirmations and meditation. Daily, twice a day sometimes for meditation. In the morning and the afternoon, for about 15-25 min per session. In silence.
- aromatherapy, lavender, mint, perfumes etc. I smell herbs and lotions and use perfumes every day. My husband creates perfumes as a hobby and I test them all the time. it sounds silly but the smell helps my brain to relax.
- having and growing a garden on the balcony. It's a flower and herb garden, small but it relaxes me. I'm an introvert, artist that creates daily and prefer silence and quiet time. I need alone time and the Covid thing made everyone work from home. I need to spend alone time in my garden on the balcony to recover and stay in silence.
- no excitants like coffee, alcohol, sodas with caffeine, drugs or other things.
- supplements daily, Magnesium and fish oil. Also Kali Phos. It's a Ayurvedic salt for sleep. Natural. I use it daily, 4 times a day 4-5 pills. They are very small.
- not spending time with/around negative people. I'm super empathic and like a sponge for vibrations. I know it sounds weird but it's true. I have a very open and friendly nature and many people/friends and relatives take advantage of it. I'm a good listener. They use me as their personal psychotherapist in many instances. It might be nice for them but it's not for me. They feel great after talking to me but I have to come home and recover for hours and hours. So ... limited time with negative people is very important.
I struggled with this also in the past. I tried so many things and what works for me is:
- a very clean diet, very very low carbs, no sugar, no processed food, no alcohol, no coffee, no gluten. The most important for me is very low carbs. It's key for my mental health. I read about it extensively. There is new data about it.
- working out at least 3 times a week. I like lifting weights, doing Yoga and Pilates and a form of Callanetics. I tried QiGong and walking in nature. I do that some times also but most of the time I do Pilates/Yoga and squats.
- no screens first thing in the morning and before I go to sleep. For about one hour each. No internet, no phone, no tv, nothing. I knit, play with my cat, do the dishes, read etc.
- using positive affirmations and meditation. Daily, twice a day sometimes for meditation. In the morning and the afternoon, for about 15-25 min per session. In silence.
- aromatherapy, lavender, mint, perfumes etc. I smell herbs and lotions and use perfumes every day. My husband creates perfumes as a hobby and I test them all the time. it sounds silly but the smell helps my brain to relax.
- having and growing a garden on the balcony. It's a flower and herb garden, small but it relaxes me. I'm an introvert, artist that creates daily and prefer silence and quiet time. I need alone time and the Covid thing made everyone work from home. I need to spend alone time in my garden on the balcony to recover and stay in silence.
- no excitants like coffee, alcohol, sodas with caffeine, drugs or other things.
- supplements daily, Magnesium and fish oil. Also Kali Phos. It's a Ayurvedic salt for sleep. Natural. I use it daily, 4 times a day 4-5 pills. They are very small.
- not spending time with/around negative people. I'm super empathic and like a sponge for vibrations. I know it sounds weird but it's true. I have a very open and friendly nature and many people/friends and relatives take advantage of it. I'm a good listener. They use me as their personal psychotherapist in many instances. It might be nice for them but it's not for me. They feel great after talking to me but I have to come home and recover for hours and hours. So ... limited time with negative people is very important.
Take care!
I do not do ALL of these things, but I think this is a great post!
Yes, definitely. It makes me jumpy now when I drink it. And I can't sleep at night. That's why I do not drink it. Rarely.
Sometimes I would drink decaf but only in the morning and it's a latte. I call it that. I make the decaf coffee, let it to cool and then put ice in it, plus cacao, plus vanilla extract, blend all and then add some whipped cream on top and some cinnamon.
seratonin is what gives us an upbeat feeling,ever notice after exercise,we feel great /
hypothyroid,lack of sunshine (D),anemia,nagging spouse,inlaw,stock market crash,not enough money.been treated badly and unfairly,too much rain and no sunshine,long list.loneliness.
They feel great after talking to me but I have to come home and recover for hours and hours. So ... limited time with negative people is very important.
Take care!
-----------------
see those are vampires,suck up your good spirt and dump theirs on you.
That is excellent advice! If someone were to write down everything on that list and attempt them all, and at least stick with half of them, your depression would either be cut in half, or disappear completely.
Speaking strictly for myself, when I was depressed and a doctor prescribed Lexapro, for the year and a half I was on it, I was more depressed than ever. Like an idiot I never thought the medication could be making me feel worse, I attributed it to my environment, and the things that caused me to be depressed. Once I finally realized Lexapro was not helping, I stopped using it, and it felt like a fog lifted. I've never taken another prescription for depression since then.
What worked wonders for years was running, I did it for the mental benefits, it seriously lifted my mood, for an entire day after a run. I ran at least every other day. An injury in 2011 put an end to running, and I notice it. I've not found anything to replace that, but a combination of things can help. Your list is a great start.
Thank you. I'm glad you find it useful!
Peace
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