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Winter blues, difficulty in projecting, daily moral fatigue, reduced desire, you would like to get rid of this depression that sticks to you in the basques?
No question of throwing himself on traditional drugs, reserved for true depressive states and including many deleterious side effects.
To overcome these periods when everything seems dark, I have recourse to gentle alternatives that allow you to get back on track at your own pace, while respecting your body.
Without risk of addiction, derived from plant or mineral products, with much lower side effects than their synthetic counterparts, discover these 6 natural antidepressants perfect to perk you up before summer.
St. John’s Wort, a natural solution for depression and anxiety
In a placebo-controlled study, St. John’s Wort shows overall superior results in the treatment of depressive disorders, and sometimes equivalent to the results obtained with conventional antidepressants.
This pretty yellow plant is not to be taken lightly because if it shows effects noticed in some cases, it can also interact with other drugs. (1)
You will easily find it in capsule form, alone or here in combination with Griffonia to overcome temporary psychological discomfort and calm anxieties of medium intensity.
A powerful natural antidepressant: turmeric
Who doesn’t have a pot in their kitchen?
Turmeric, the flagship spice of anti-aging cures, combines astonishing and numerous properties. Ayurvedic medicine has incorporated it for millennia in the form of a cure and distilled in Indian meals including the famous curry. (2)
Turmeric, in addition to acting on the inflammation and oxidation of cells, strongly stimulates the immune system.
The latter, mistreated by the various ailments of the cold season, by allergies and overeating, is often found in first place in cases of severe fatigue.
Convenient to use, you can use turmeric to sprinkle your cooked meals, or test it in the delicious Indian Golden Milk recipe, made with stimulating Ayurvedic spices.
Be careful, its dark yellow hue stains everything it touches!
To read: The 12 symptoms of depression
Rhodiola Rosea overcomes appetite and sleep disorders
Known in the sports world, Rhodiola Rosea acts both as a stimulant and anxiolytic. Its root endowed with anti-fatigue properties allows increased recovery after exercise.
It is particularly suitable if you are physically and mentally exhausted, during the change of seasons or after a period of intense work.
Its inhibitory action on the production of adrenaline reduces the manifestations of anxiety directly related to this hormone. (3)
Its anxiolytic capacity is only the tip of the iceberg: Rhodiola would identify no less than 9 virtuous properties beneficial to our body.
Why deprive yourself of it?
Light therapy against lack of sun
The best natural antidepressants aren’t all herbal.
Do you also dream of going to the Seychelles for a month to soak up the sun?
This is completely normal.
Indeed, the light of the star plays a preponderant role in our mood. This is especially noticeable if you are chronically depressed every winter, when the days are getting shorter and the sun is scarcer.
Developed in the early 1980s, light therapy aims to compensate for the lack of exposure for victims of SAD (winter depression). Its undeniably proven efficacy may even prove to be superior to that of drugs. (4)
In practice, you will find yourself lying underneath or sitting in front of a lamp that filters out bad rays (UV and IR) and diffuses regenerating light for about 30 minutes, depending on the lamp wattage.
The session usually takes place at a professional but you can also invest in equipment for sessions without constraints at home.
However, be careful with contraindications, especially if you are taking drugs that induce photosensitization (antiepileptics, antibiotics, eye drops, etc.).
To read: Treating depression naturally
Acupuncture to regain energy
From traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is the nightmare of needle phobias.
For those who are not afraid of bites, on the other hand, this gentle alternative would rebalance the passage of Qi, the vital energy that drives us and can block or fail us in great periods of stress.
On its own, acupuncture does not cure depression.
However, it has a wide field of action on the side effects of drugs (often causing difficulties for patients to follow the treatment). Associated with psychotherapy, it increases the benefits. (5)
I don’t know about you, but when I sleep badly I’m sure I’m having a bad day.
Finding sleep, appetite, regaining energy, every little effort in terms of comfort of life gained by acupuncture improves the patient’s overall condition.
The famous Bach flowers as a natural antidepressant
Of total safety, Bach flowers have the advantage of having no contraindications or side effects.
Moms, infants, pregnant women and the elderly, the whole family can enjoy its benefits, even your teenager in full stress after the end of year exams.
Their benefits are praised by homeopaths who recommend them for all kinds of psychological attacks.
Indeed, Bach flowers act on very specific negative points such as sadness, discouragement, loneliness or hypersensitivity.
Even in terms of depression, the quintessences used will not be the same in the event of bereavement, deep depression, bipolar-type states or seasonal depression.
Ready-made mixtures are available in pharmacies and specialty stores, however it may be useful to seek advice from a specialist in the field to prescribe the flower best suited to your symptoms. (6)
Conclusion
You now have all the keys in hand to overcome sluggishness and drop in energy without harming your body.
In more severe cases, natural antidepressants are always more effective in combination with psychotherapy.
In any case, if you are undergoing treatment, take the advice of your doctor before purchasing any supplements. Even natural, they contain active ingredients that can interact with other drugs.
If your condition worsens or does not improve after a few weeks of treatment, see your doctor promptly: you may be suffering from more severe depression which should be managed as soon as possible with therapy and / or associated traditional medicines.