Major depressive disorder, commonly referred to as clinical depression, is one of the most severe mood disorders. Although it’s often confused with stress and anxiety, it’s a lot more than that in reality.
As a matter of fact, treating depression is not a piece of cake. It requires a lot of effort, willpower, and consistency. However, you need to make sure that you know all the tiny bitsy details of depression. It will make your journey towards recovery simpler and easier.
Common Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 264 million people suffer from clinical depression from around the world. Sadly, not even half of them receive treatment.
It happens because most of the people with depression are diagnosed late, while others fail to take it seriously. The following are a few common symptoms of major depressive disorder:
- Loss of interest in everyday life activities
- Persistent low mood and hopelessness
- Body aches and fatigue
- Insomnia or hypersomnia
- Binge eating or loss of appetite
- Irritability or crankiness
- Suicidal thoughts or attempts
Effective Treatment Options for Major Depressive Disorder
There are a number of ways to treat major depressive disorder, both allopathic and natural. Since allopathic medicines bring along a massive number of side effects, it is safe to go the natural route.
Thus, here I have a list of natural remedies to treat clinical depression. Have a look:
Herbs and Plants
First and foremost, just because you cannot take allopathic medicines, it does not mean you cannot take herbal medicines either. Certain herbs and plants come with medicinal properties to treat depression and anxiety naturally.
Saffron, ashwagandha, passionflower, wonder bar chocolate, and lavender are a few examples of such herbs and plants. The best part of the story is that they’re 100% for everyday use and unlike allopathic medicines, they won’t affect your liver or digestive system.
Regular Exercise
Lifestyle changes are mandatory if you want to counter depression naturally. Speaking of lifestyle rehabilitation, the primary thing that you need to add to your everyday routine is exercise.
Please ensure to exercise at least half an hour a day. There is no particular exercise or workout routine for this. The idea is to increase physical activity. You can either join a gym or go for swimming classes.
If both the options are not feasible, you can simply go for a 30-minute walk. It will reduce your stress levels and boost energy.
Body Massage
Body massage has plenty of health benefits and one of them happens to be stress relief. The gentle strokes of massage release a considerable amount of oxytocin in the brain.
As a result, it elevates your mood and boosts your energy. The results are somewhat similar to those of exercise and meditation. Not to mention, having a body massage is the most effortless way to curb depression.
However, you must ensure to be regular in it. A body massage, once or twice a week, is more than enough to keep anxiety and stress at bay.
Meditation
When talking about natural ways to eliminate depression, one cannot forget about meditation. It’s a renowned healing practice that alters your perception of stress while promoting physical and mental wellbeing.
Apart from that, it is said that medication also works well for your spiritual health. Oh, and the great thing is that you don’t need to join a meditation class to practice meditation regularly.
There are a dozen tutorials available online. You can search for one, follow, and practice meditation. It has never been easier. Isn’t it?
The Final Word…
Lastly, if nothing else works, I suggest you consult a physician. Sometimes depression is a result of an underlying health condition; therefore, getting yourself medically examined is a wise idea.
Furthermore, when treating depression, try to surround yourself with as much positive energy as possible. The more positive you’ll think and feel, the quicker you’ll be able to get rid of depression. It’s as simple as that. Also, take care of your sleep and diet as well. They are exceptionally important when it comes to your mental wellbeing. I hope it helps you out, my friends. I hope you get well soon!