According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), one in four adults suffer from a mental illness each year. Additionally, 14.8 million American adults suffer from some form of depression. Chronic or severe depression is typically treated with medications in conjunction with psychotherapy. However, because many people don't want to be dependent on a medication, they turn to holistic or alternative treatments. There are some things you can do on your own, but you should always make your doctor aware.
Step 1
Keep a journal. Make notes on your mood and feelings each day with details on what happened during the day, who you interacted with, places you went and other seemingly mundane items. Doing so can help you to identify positive influences in your life that can counteract your depressed mood.
Step 2
Exercise daily for 20 to 30 minutes. Exercise adjusts your brain chemicals, which ultimately affect your mood. Consider doing cardiovascular activity to promote cardiovascular health and stamina or an exercise such as yoga that contains a meditation or relaxation component.
Step 3
Take a complex vitamin B supplement that contains vitamin B6. Many patients who suffer from depression show a vitamin B deficiency. Vitamin B is essential to a healthy nervous system. A deficiency could cause a change in mood.
Step 4
Eat chocolate. Go for dark chocolate because it contains less fat and has antioxidants. Low seratonin levels can cause a change in mood. Chocolate increases seratonin levels.
Step 5
Get plenty of rest; try for six to eight hours per night. Fatigue or tiredness can cause a change in mood and exacerbate symptoms of depression.
