Natural Cures For Depression: The Body

Change your body and you will change your mind. Change your mind and you will change your life.

A few weeks ago I decided to post about my journey back from depression and anxiety in the hopes that it would provide some encouragement to those that are suffering and doubting themselves.  I have received many requests to provide a more detailed description of the steps I took to recover.

It is difficult to discuss one aspect of healing without taking into consideration the role the other parts play into it as well. Each of us will respond to healing methods differently depending on the aspects of ourselves that require the most attention, so there is no one single best way to defeat depression. To be clear, my healing was not a sudden experience but rather a slow lifting and lessening of the symptoms of depression and anxiety over time with the help of the methods in this article. These are the natural and lasting cures for depression because they focus on total wellness by reconnecting with your Body, Mind and Spirit.

Over the years I have made sure to keep my physical health in proper balance. When I was dealing with chronic fatigue and other illnesses, it was important for me to work directly on the physical problems in order to find out how many of the depression symptoms could be alleviated through good physical health. Eg; lifting fatigue through better health would likely help depression also.

When health is poor and thoughts are poor, how can one really know where the root of the fatigue is unless you begin to work at it, one by one.

Natural Cures For Depression

A HEALTHY BODY:

1. Nutrition – Don’t underestimate the power of healthy food to facilitate healing in the body and mind.

We cannot expect to feel good when we eat poorly. All life is ENERGY, vibrating at different frequencies. Our body cannot convert a fast food burger into the same high quality energy as an apple. Depression and low energy go hand in hand so it is absolutely essential that depressed people eat nutrient rich foods for additional energy, including the elimination of as many packaged processed foods as possible.

I mentioned that I made significant discovery with nutrition: It took me 15 years of depression to finally start taking a high quality organic supplement. To this day, I have not found another vitamin that works for me the way this one does. B Vitamins and phyto-nutrients (greens) are very helpful in managing the stress that comes with depression. (Opt for vitamins that are whole food based/organic  and free of synthetic compounds – most conventional brands do not measure up, unfortunately)

Eating more raw fruits and vegetables is a powerful way to counteract the negative thoughts that come along with depression. How is that? Negative thinking is acidic in nature. An acid environment in the body is perfect for cultivating illness and disease. Fruits, veggies and whole grains like quinoa and brown rice help counteract the acid condition because they are more alkaline in nature.

While eating fruits may not directly impact negative thinking, it is sure amazing that we are so perfectly designed that these approaches will likely impact all areas of the body. The value of proper nutrition cannot be ignored as one step of a natural depression cure and for overall mental health.

2. Cleansing – I have found cleansing 2x per year to be a great support system for healthy living. It can be very difficult to eliminate certain foods from our diet due to a variety of emotional and physical factors. Cleansing is helpful for breaking poor eating habits while strengthening the resolve to have another fresh start at healthy living. Cleansing also works on the mind, so it can bring to surface your predominant approach to life’s challenges! In my experience, cleansing truly does strengthen the mind and body.

Also, I discovered that depression is one of many symptoms of Candida and I used cleansing to eliminate the candida overgrowth from my body. Candida commonly goes undiagnosed and is very persistent so I cleansed multiple times and followed a strict diet for 6 months. Once the candida was gone, I no longer had the cravings for sweets, white foods, alcohol and cheeses. The lack of cravings made it easier for me to then adopt a simple, wholesome diet. Other cleanses that  have been helpful to me are: The Master Cleanse, Parasite cleanse, liver /kidney cleanse, heavy metal cleanses, and colon cleansing.

3. Addictions – Depression combined with either alcohol or drugs is a recipe for disaster. I found that even a casual drink slowed my healing process down. Alcohol and drugs used by depressed and anxious persons can trigger panic attacks or bouts of depression more easily. Each panic attack is a very real physical experience brought on by a fragile mind. Knowing that I could not sustain many more panic attacks due to the extreme physical symptoms, I chose to not engage in those activities. If we are to develop a strong mind, consideration must be given to the weakening effect alcohol and drugs have on our body, mind & spirit.

HEALTHY ACTIVITY

1. Yoga - There is so much more to Yoga than just physical exercise hhowever yoga serves as a very practical way to strengthen the body from the organs to the skin! Yoga is a powerful and therapeutic way to open the body, mind and heart through physical postures. As the body opens and strengthens, pent up energy is being released. Imagine that negative thoughts & experiences collect as little balls of energy throughout the body. Yoga helps to release the balls of energy gently and slowly. Once the body releases the energy, the body actually becomes more supple, responsive and “in flow” to life.

Yoga is also a great way to practice awareness by shifting your attention inward and noticing the feelings and sensations that come and go during a session. The best classes are ones that focus on the breath through each posture and I personally recommend a gentle Hatha flow for beginners. Yoga can also be practiced at home with a good DVD. I still use my favorite yoga DVD at home after all these years.

2. Deep Breathing – My yoga mentor used to say that dis-ease cannot live in an oxygenated environment and that is why deep breathing is so beneficial! Having an awareness about your breathing habits is very valuable in combating depression. Most people are generally not very efficient breathers. Many are shallow breathers, using only the top 1/3 of their lungs, the chest area. The other 2/3 of the lungs is not used to it’s full capacity. When we are in a state of depression and anxiety, we are not breathing deeply so practicing deep breathing is a great way get out of your head and into your body.

A beginner can use a 4:4 count with a small pause at the end of each inhale and each exhale. Placing a hand on your abdomen and visualizing your breath reaching all the way down to your diaphragm is very helpful. Deep breathing sounds simple, but a person who has not tried this will be amazed at how quickly they will run out of breath during counting. Be assured, with practice you will see drastic improvements. Deep breathing is also another wonderful introduction into practicing awareness. You will soon find yourself noticing how you are breathing during stressful events (in your chest) and instantly begin to deepen your breath.

3. Nature - Spending time in nature is a wonderful way to reconnect with the important things in life, provided we can slow down long enough to enjoy the beauty around us. The physical exertion of a good hike while breathing in the fresh mountain air is always purifying to my mind and body. Walking is a safe form of exercise for nearly everyone and was been a life saver for me many times. Putting my bare hands in the soil while gardening is also an excellent way to ground myself. Use nature to help you release emotions, sit in silence and introspect. Nature is a perfect companion for all of us, especially the depressed and anxious.

When I was in the pits of depression and anxiety, I’ll admit that I doubted these suggestions. I know what it’s like to barely be able to drag yourself outside, much less follow a healthy eating lifestyle and make it to weekly yoga classes. However, one by one I was pulled to make these changes because I finally got sick enough of being depressed and anxious!

No matter how you start out, your body mind and soul are interconnected and an improvement in one part of your life will effect all parts. Know that once you set into motion the desire to be well and then take small steps towards it, life has a way of bringing you exactly what you need to grow. Trust this process because once you change your body, your mind will change, and once your mind has changed, your whole life can be transformed.

Read More: More Natural Cures for Depression with a focus on The Mind. I am in awe of this powerful aspect of healing and cannot wait to share more with you!

(Disclaimer: I am not a health professional and this should not be taken as medical advice. The only person I am qualified to diagnose is myself. These posts are intended to encourage you to dig deeper. My hope is that you discover your own healing wisdom. You should always consult with a qualified professional before starting any new program, especially if you are in any kind of treatment.)

I’d love to hear your thoughts about depression and anxiety in the comments below.

Tagged as: Anxiety, Depression, Natural Remedies