Depression affects around 5% of the world’s adult population and is arguably one of the leading causes of disability.
As you can appreciate, depression can be severe in some people more than others, and it’s not something that can simply “go away” without intervention.
The trouble is that many doctors will typically prescribe medication to alleviate the symptoms of depression instead of tackling the source of the depression.
If you’re reading this page because you suffer from depression, or feel you might be depressed, the good news is you have plenty of ways to help you deal with depression (and the cause) without always having to resort to prescription medication.
*Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor and these tips are simply an opinion formed from my experience with depression.
Take a look at the following examples:
1. Improve Your Quality Of Sleep
You might know it, but sleep can profoundly impact your mental health. If you don’t get at least six-eight hours of uninterrupted sleep every night, it can exacerbate the symptoms of depression.
Start by ensuring your sleeping environment is comfortable, dark, and free of any interruptions like noises and lights. If you sleep on an old bed, consider upgrading to a new one with a comfortable mattress.
2. Consider Herbal Alternatives
Another thing you should do is check out some herbal alternatives to prescription medicine. For example, White Borneo Kratom can offer some relief against the symptoms of depression, as can drinking a cup of chamomile or ashwagandha tea.
Spend some time online researching the best herbal alternatives to prescription medication, and you may surprise yourself with what’s available to you!
3. See A Counselor
It should be no surprise that seeing a counselor is one of the most effective tools you can consider to help overcome depression.
A professional counselor will help you safely discover the underlying reasons for your depression and show you the best methods for tackling them.
Counselors have specialized areas ranging from abuse to trauma to simpler causes, so you can be sure that you’ll find one that can help you.
4. Make Some Lifestyle Changes
Sometimes the things you eat and drink or the things you do in your leisure time can impact the severity of your depression symptoms. That’s why it makes sense to explore what positive lifestyle changes you can make to improve how you feel.
Examples of foods you should avoid or severely restrict include white bread, soda, energy drinks, caffeine, and alcohol.
5. Avoid Hanging Out With Toxic People
Finally, the people you associate with in your spare time or at work could negatively impact your mental health. Toxic people, as they’re known, will always bring your mood down and make you feel like you’re not good enough.
The simple solution is to cut out those people from your life. Instead, try to hang out with people that have positive attitudes and generally make you feel good about yourself.
Final Thoughts
The above isn’t a complete list of medication alternatives, but it does highlight the best options at your disposal. Keep in mind that you should not immediately cease taking any existing prescription medication; talk to your doctor first. Trust me, the withdrawals are terrible! (& dangerous).
Thank you for reading!
