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Acupuncture & Natural Health Solutions Newsletter
Providing Natural Health Care for the Entire Family
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Issue #2015-10a
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Overcoming Depression
One of the most common frustrations for those suffering from depression is the lack of motivation to do regular daily activities, an inability to find enjoyment and an overwhelming amount of negative thoughts. Depression cannot be simply cured by "mind over matter", but that does not mean it can't be treated and improved significantly. Depression is not an illness that one should have to suffer through alone, treatment and therapy can be crucial to the healing process back to better health.
Along with treatment options you may be considering, small additions to your daily routine can prove to have significant effects on lowering depression symptoms over time.
Put yourself and your mental health first
It is easy to put your health on the back burner when life gets busy and stressful. Maybe you are hating the office job you have, or you're fighting with a spouse. When life gets tough, it is easy to neglect our bodies physically and mentally. Look at life in the larger terms and understand how you take care of your health now, will affect you for years down the road. If you are suffering from depression, seeking treatment is the first step back to better quality of life and can truly make all the difference.
Get a routine going
It may be hard to keep and be motivated about a routine. However, by setting goals and habits on a daily or weekly basis, you are continuing to improve upon your condition. Just stick with it. Try to set goals for exercise, if you can go on a jog just three days a week, you'll be boosting your serotonin, your mood and your physical health. Take time to go outside in nature and get some fresh air. Depression is hard, but getting out of your normal environment can help you get out of your head for a bit. Practicing mindfulness is something everyone should do on a daily basis. Mindfulness involves focusing on the present moment and not the past or future. By doing so, we let go of anxieties we feel about the future or negative thoughts we have about the past, eliminating feelings of worry.
Reach out
Don't go through this alone. Chances are there are people in your life that love and care about you very much. Although it may seem hard to reach out or socialize, being around people can help you feel more connected. It is easy to isolate yourself when depression is consuming your mind and thoughts, but talking to friends and family can have profound benefits on beginning the process to better health.
Depression is not easy, but also doesn't mean it can't get better. Contact a medical professional about the best treatment options for you and consider alternative treatments such as acupuncture.
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7 Steps to Eliminate Depression Naturally
Suffering from depression can make you feel hopeless, frustrated and like your quality of life will never get better. Many feel that prescription medications don't help, and simply mask the problem instead of helping solve it. If you are dealing with depression, it is easy to get discouraged about your treatment options. Below are ways that you can naturally reduce your depression and get you back on a road to a healthier mind and body.
Acupuncture
It is believed that acupuncture can be just as effective as antidepressants in helping depression. Acupuncture works by focusing on different points of the body to bring the body back to its natural energy flow and balance. Acupuncture points can help stimulate the body's production of endorphins and aid the release of serotonin and dopamine, which can increase one's mood.
Omega-3s
Taking a daily fish oil supplement can do more good than you think. It is believed that being deficient in omega-3s can cause mood swings and depression. Omega-3s are found in fish like salmon, tuna and herring and are not only good for your overall physical health but your mental health as well.
Meditation
Meditation has been proven to have many benefits. Not only does it bring the heart rate down, calm the mind and reduce stress, but it can also bring the mind to a healthier place. Two studies have found that those who practice meditation have a lower rate of relapsing than those who take medication alone.
Get outside
Spending time outdoors and in the sun can have great effects on your mood. When one doesn't get enough sunlight, it can strongly affect how you feel and is one of the main causes of seasonal effective disorder. Try spending even just 15 to 30 minutes outside every day whether it is walking, gardening or just simply sitting outside.
Exercise
There is nothing better than the natural high you get after a good workout. Exercise, whether it is running, swimming or yoga, releases endorphins that can give you a mood boost. Try spending 30 minutes a day doing some sort of exercise. One study found that patients who worked out regularly saw a decrease in their symptoms of depression by half in 12 weeks. Not only does exercise improve your body physically, but mentally as well.
Avoid alcohol and drugs
People suffering with depression often consume damaging substances like alcohol and drugs to help mask their symptoms. It is recommended that those with depression should not have more than a drink on occasion. Alcohol and drugs affect brain chemistry and can later intensify your mood for the worse.
Take a break
Depression can often worsen when you are feeling stressed and overworked. Try to take some time off to relax. If it isn't possible to take vacation time, try to fit in at least an hour a day of relaxation time. Whether it's meditating, reading or closing your eyes for a bit, take some time for deep breaths and a way to shut off from the rest of the world.
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Recipe Corner
Aromatherapy for the Liver
According to Chinese medicine, depression is an indication of blocked Liver energy. Smells have a profound effect on both body and mind. Roman and German chamomile are two effective scents that help to sedate and calm the Liver. In contrast, scents such as Rose, Geranium and Lemon help to strengthen and support the Liver.
The chamomile scents can be used for symptoms of anger, resentment, frustration, tension and mood-swings. The other scents may be helpful with depression, guilt and lack of motivation. Overall, these scents can help restore balance and harmony for those who are experiencing a Liver that is out of balance.
Here are three ways to use aromatherapy oils:
- Massage - Add 40-60 drops to 3 oz. of almond oil.
- Inhale - Place a few drops on a napkin, handkerchief, or cotton ball and inhale periodically.
- Diffusion - Place a few drops in an aromatherapy air diffuser. This heats up and adds sweet smells to the air.
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Alternative Treatments for Depression
About 19 million American adults suffer from depression and most find their current treatment options ineffective along with a slew of unwanted side effects. Many who are prescribed antidepressants find that the medication only masks the problem, and does not cure it. However there are alternative treatments that have been proven effective without harmful side effects.
Massage Therapy:
Massage therapy is not just beneficial for your body physically, but mentally as well. Massage is a safe technique that has been used for thousands of years that can help calm and relax the mind. By relieving muscle tension and increasing blood flow, the body's heart rate can lower and promote stress relief. When one is less stressed, depression can be improved. For those suffering with depression, seeing a massage therapist regularly can help increase mood and decrease feelings of sadness and anxiety.
Acupuncture:
Acupuncture has been proven to be extremely beneficial for those dealing with depression. By targeting different points on the body, acupuncture works to release any blockages in the body's energy flow and return the body and state of mind back to balance. When the body is in balance, we tend to feel physically, as well as mentally, healthy.
Yoga & Meditation:
When practiced regularly, yoga and meditation have a profound effect on decreasing stress and boosting mood. Through deep breathing and poses, these practices help focus and clear the head and lower heart rate, which in turn can decrease stress levels and put thoughts and mood in a better place.
Depression is not something that is easy to deal with, nor is it something you have to go through alone. Know your alternative treatment options and begin the road to better health, for the mind and body.
Sources articles, click the following links:
1. Beating Depression Naturally
2. 31 Ways to Boost Your Mood Naturally
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Meridian exercise for Depression
1. Stand with your feet spread shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent. Keep your arms hanging at your sides and shoulders relaxed.
2. With an inhalation, raise your arms out to the side and up over your head with palms facing each other. Keep arms shoulder width apart. Exhale and relax your shoulders, but keep your arms raised. On your next exhalation, bend your body at the waist, as far to the right as possible. Do not bend forward. Keep your arms straight and knees slightly bent.
3. Exhale and extend the left arm, stretching the left side of your body. Inhale into the left side. Hold this pose for a few deep breaths. Exhale and gently return to an upright position.
4. Keeping your arms up, inhale and stretch your arms upward. With a strong exhale, bend your knees and squat like you are sitting in a chair. Inhale and stand up straight. Repeat for the opposite side.
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The information contained within the
newsletter is only used to educate
and inform. This newsletter is
not a substitute for the advice of a licensed
and registered health
care provider. Seek prompt attention for emergencies. Consult
a health care provider for specific health concerns, and before
starting a diet, cleanse or exercise routine.
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