6 Natural Remedies to Help With Depression

1. Getting Outside

The natural remedy that has helped me the most during my entire time with depression is getting outside. Getting outside does wonders for our mental health and can boost dopamine levels. Rather than staying locked up in your home, get out and feel the sun on your face. Even if you don't feel like it, it is important to challenge yourself. If we wait until we “feel like” doing something when we struggle with depression, we will never end up doing it.

This is because with depression, we struggle with motivation. Motivation doesn't come naturally to us, which is why we need to go ahead and do the action and see if the motivation comes later. In other words, don't wait for the motivation to come. Instead, go outside and see the beauty of the world. Pick a pretty path to walk on and take note of God’s creation around you.

If you don't want to walk or can't walk, try sitting under a beautiful tree or spending time in a local community garden. Make some time in your schedule to get outdoors, and you will reap the benefits of improved mental health. In truth, there are endless things you can do outside, ranging from hiking to planting a vibrant garden. Get outside today and take in all of the happiness, joy, and hope in God’s creation. 

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2. Eating Less Sugar and Processed Foods

Most people struggle with overeating sugar and processed foods. This is due to many reasons: some of us don't have enough income to afford the nicer things in life, and others simply don't have time to make every meal from scratch. When we struggle with depression, we need to try to avoid sugar and processed foods, as they can wreak havoc on our minds. It can cause us to feel more depressed, as well as make us feel more anxious or overwhelmed. This is why we need to be careful about how much sugar we eat and avoid processed foods.

This doesn't mean we can never have a cookie or a bag of chips again, but it does mean we need to have these items in moderation. What we eat does affect our overall mental health. If we choose to eat only high-sugar, highly processed foods, we won't feel our best. We will feel more depressed and unable to do the things that we want to do or the things we need to do. However, if we opt for low-sugar and fresh, healthy foods, we will begin to see our depression not feel as heavy.

Each time I cook a meal rather than just getting something from the freezer, I feel much more positive about the day to come. By taking the extra time to cook a healthy meal or to grab a fresh fruit rather than a processed treat, I feel less depressed and frustrated. By fueling my body properly and avoiding high sugar and processed foods, I am helping my depression not become as severe throughout the day. Try this natural remedy in your own life and see if it helps your depression feel a bit lighter.

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3. Spending Time with Loved Ones

I understand it can be extremely challenging to spend time with loved ones when you are in the depths of depression, but it is something that you need to do. I tend to push people away when I'm struggling with my depression; however, it never helps the depression get any better. Instead, it just makes it worse. Rather than self-isolating and pushing others away, we need to try to spend time with the loved ones in our lives. Think about those who support you and have seen you at your lowest.

Reach out to this person or these individuals and ask if they can meet up this week. Yet again, even if you don't feel like it, it is important to spend time with others. Spending time with loved ones will help you to feel happier and more content with life. Your friends and family members want to spend time with you, see how you are doing, and support you. Sadly, depression can often make us feel like they don't, but we have to remind ourselves that our loved ones do care.

Our loved ones will be able to help us when the days grow dark and point us back to Jesus. They can pray for us and be a source of encouragement. Never underestimate how much your family and friends can help you as you navigate the road of depression. Depression doesn't have to leave you alone and lonely.

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4. Taking Time to Read, Craft, and Listen to Music

Something that has helped me cope with my depression is to do the things that I truly enjoy. For me, this is reading, doing crafts, and listening to music. When I'm in the trenches of depression, it can be hard to have the motivation to even do the things that I enjoy. This is why I have to make it a discipline and set times to do the things I enjoy—and you need to do the same. Even if you don't like reading, crafts, or music, choose to do the things you do enjoy.

This could be painting, going shopping, or journaling. Take some time to do the things that give you joy and see your depression levels decrease. While your depression won't be healed by doing these activities, it will make you feel happier and more productive. Journaling can especially help you get some heavy emotions off your chest and keep them somewhere safe. Try to do the activities you enjoy each day; even just 10-15 minutes can benefit your overall mental well-being.

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5. Listening to Podcasts that Talk About Similar Experiences

Throughout my struggles with my mental health, I have found many podcasts that help me immensely. While I don't listen to these podcasts each week, I tend to migrate to them when I'm not doing my best. The stories that other individuals share surrounding their own mental health struggles can help you feel less alone in your own struggles. Sometimes, what they say is not a resource or something we can do to help ourselves, but it does help us know that we are not alone. For me personally, this helps in unspeakable ways.

Try to find a few mental health-oriented podcasts to fill your weekly podcast lineup. While I don't have any specific recommendations, sometimes it can be helpful to search for “depression” in the search bar on your streaming service to see which episodes come up. You might find great support and solace in these podcasts. Personal stories are much more helpful and relatable than medical professionals simply talking about the illness. Pick which podcasts you want to listen to and see if they help you feel less alone in your struggles.

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6. Getting Enough Sleep Each Night

It is also important to ensure we are getting enough sleep every night. If we are not getting enough sleep, our entire mental health will begin to deteriorate. We will feel more down, more anxious, and more worried about the upcoming day. Therefore, make sure you get 8-9 hours of sleep each night. There are no exceptions. Even if you are busy or you are going through life changes, you still need your sleep.

By getting 8-9 hours of quality sleep each night, you will support your overall health in many ways. In addition to the benefits of improved energy and increased concentration, you will also feel more at peace, at ease, and comfortable with what the day will bring. Talk with God before you go to sleep at night and allow Him to give you a good night’s sleep (Psalm 4:8).

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