Why you may be feeling down and how to overcome it
Use natural treatments to avoid all the horrible side effects from prescribed antidepressants and stay in control of your own recovery.
You may also want to find out about natural antidepressants: nutritional supplements, natural and homeopathic remedies, and other therapies..
Every morning decide on, and commit to, actions that are most likely to make you feel good. Plan your day.
Overcoming depression without drugs
Taking antidepressants may contribute to your feeling out of control, when you perhaps already feel out of control of circumstances that lead to you feeling down. Your own body is very capable of producing the very best and safest natural antidepressants, with a bit of encouragement, . Use all the advice available here to help create your own supply on tap.
Separate the depression from you (give it a name and shape/colour/texture in your imagination, then change it). You are ok, the depression is the problem. Would you allow that 'thing' to affect your relationships and your normally enjoyable activities? Once you take back that control you are much less likely to suffer a relapse. Start sorting it today!
Top tips for treating depression without medication Natural remedies Light therapy Aerobic exercise!!! Self development Counselling Relationship counselling Acupuncture Music therapy Aromatherapy Religious practices Meditation Emotional Freedom Technique
10 Tips for lowering your stress hormones
Buy a guided relaxation track/cd; listen to it at least once a day, or read. Go for a massage or reflexology. Do a course in massage yourself! Go for a brisk walk or a cycle ride (at least 30 min. 3 x a week). Aerobic exercise increases feel-good substances (endorphins) in your body. Join a gym or aerobic exercise class. Goswimming, take swimming lessons, learning any new skill helps. Join a tai chi, yoga or meditation class. Get a pet. Get an aquarium with tropical fish--watching is relaxing. Do something creative, dig out your long-forgotten projects, find a course. Inform yourself on the link between mental health and nutrition.
Keep a diary to note down during the day when you feel ok. You might be pleasantly surprised! Notice and challenge 'black and white'/'all or nothing' thinking and listen out for it in other people, without judging it in either yourself or others. Allow yourself time to worry (if you really need to!) - half an hour a day. Write your worries down to 'separate' yourself from them at that time. Make a list of six things to distract yourself when you find yourself worrying, so that you can focus your attention outwards, rather than inwards.
7 Tips to raise your self-esteem/increase your confidence
Stretch yourself -- physically, intellectually, emotionally; self-esteem comes from being competent in several areas of your life. Frequently remind yourself of your achievements: passing an exam, promotion, bringing up children, organising a party, managing a move, sorting finances, finishing a project, or simply going out. Write them down. Find and get involved in a new interest, perhaps something you have always wanted to do; contact your Adult Education Centre/local college. Do some voluntary work to help you meet your emotional needs. Remind yourself that there is no failure, only feedback. Look after yourself: create a super healthy menu for the week, then shop. Forget about following a diet to loose weight, other than prescribed by a professional for health reasons - 9 out of 10 diets fail.
Don't let anxiety add another layer of suffering to your depression.
Anxiety and panic attacks have such a huge negative impact on your life. At its worst they stop you completely doing anything you might have otherwise enjoyed. You too may have stopped even doing to most basic things in life. Everything is a daily struggle. No wonder you have become depressed!
Thank goodness you are looking for alternative solutions. If you are really motivated to do something about it, have a look at The Linden Method.
Deal with sleep problems
First and foremost follow the advice on changing negative introspection. Follow the advice on exercise. Visit my page on natural sleep remedies.
Solve problems you have a measure of control over
Often a former fellow sufferer has the best advice. They have been where you are right now and know how to help you out of that pit.
Visitproblem solving stages and techniques Set realistic, achievable goals, so that you can measure your success Reward yourself after any activity that is not rewarding in itself. Grade your mood 0-10 before and after an activity - 0: suicidal, 10: 'deliriously' happy. Call meto let me help you feel better sooner. Once on the mend, going down a few point does not mean that you are suffering from depression again. You might just be having a lousy day!
