How to Decrease Depression Symptoms without Drugs
Major depression and dysthemia (chronic depression) are disorders caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. Many people don’t take depression drugs for depression treatment. There are many self-help ideas to be used for depression treatment, which are exercise, being in the company of friends and family, prayer, power of suggestion, spend more time with your pet (if you have one), laughing (make yourself do belly-laughs -watch funny comedies if that’s what it takes to make you laugh), have a good cry (put on music or movies that will make you cry – crying helps to wash out the “sad” chemicals), and others.
If you have major depression or dysthemia, and you don’t want to take depression drugs, there are many things you can do to help. Get outdoors and walk for 15 -20 minutes each day or longer. Walking is great exercise, and it also generates the brain to produce endorphins, which are the chemicals that give you a sense of well being. In a very short time, within hours you should see a marked improvement in the way you feel.
Get out of the house and go see someone you always loved to spend time with. Spending quality time with someone you love to be with gets those good biochemicals circulating in your brain. You should notice right away that you feel better with your friend or relative. If you can talk about what is bothering you, it may help you to put a voice to your pain. Once you have talked about what is bothering you, you might want to move away from the subject of pain, and move on to more fun topics. You may also want to do something fun with your friend.
If you believe in God or a higher power, you may want to pray or meditate. Many people are able to lessen their depression symptoms by praying to God to take the depression away. Once you pray, give thanks for the healing right away. Now behave as if you are already well. Many people believe in prayer, and they pray as many times a day that they feel they need to. If you believe that God heals, this is a good tool to use to relieve emotional pain.
The power of suggestion is a great tool to lessen the symptoms of major depression and chronic depression. With the power of suggestion you can use your imagination to put yourself into your “happy place” or the place in your mind that is in your memory that makes you feel happy every time you visit. This is an escape from the sadness, anxiety, or whatever negative feeling or emotion you have. You can also use the power of suggestion to tell your mind that you are better. You believe you are better, therefore you do feel better.
If you have place for a flower garden, even if it is just a little patch of ground, you can plant some flowers. Coming outside day by day to watch your flowers grow can give lots of happiness. Once your flowers are grown, you might want to cut some and bring them inside. You might also want to purchase a potted plant for your home. A green plant is beautiful to look at and it is alive. Many people talk to their plants, and care for them. Plants will get dusty, so by gently wiping them down with a moist cloth gives you something to do that helps another living thing.
Doing something that takes your mind off yourself is always a good thing to do to lessen the symptoms of depression. There are individuals that volunteer their time at hospitals and nursing homes. There is always something to do for someone as a volunteer. If you want to treat your depression without drugs, any one of these activities will surely help. It is helpful if you can combine some of these activities with some ideas of your own.
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