Boost Your Mood Naturally
Do you ever get moody? I know I do. I try to stay upbeat as much as possible, but sometimes I allow circumstances to get the best of me and then fall into a funk.
They say that nearly 10 percent of Americans suffer from depression. Even if you are not one of them, there are probably times when you feel down. Now, if this happens to you more often than you’d care to admit, there are several ways to deal with it. One is to go for counseling. That can get expensive, and do you really want someone asking you over and over again, “How does that make you feel?” Another option is to go to a psychiatrist and get put on medication. I’d say the odds are probably 50-50 that the drugs will make things worse.
As with most things, the natural way is usually the best way. For mild depression, I’d rather start off with some of the following natural remedies before I spend money to lie on a couch or pop pills.
Fast occasionally. Skipping a meal here or there, or fasting for a day once in a while, helps your body digest and eliminate cellular debris. It’s a good way to clean out your system and elevate your mood. Don’t forget to stay hydrated while you’re fasting.
Consume herbs. Two herbs that have been shown to have beneficial effects on mood are Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) and St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum).
Laugh. Laughing significantly lowers cortisol, the hormone associated with stress, and this effect can continue hours after you’re done laughing. Laughing in groups seems to be even more effective.
Exercise. Studies show that patients with depression improve as much as those treated with medication when they stick to an exercise program.
Take fish oil and Vitamin D. Both of these are directly tied to emotional health. Eat fatty, cold-water fish including salmon, and try to get 30 minutes of full sun on your face and arms daily.
Eat more protein and fat, and less sugar and carbs. Sugar contributes to chronic inflammation and suppresses healthy proteins. Stick to organic, animal-based foods, fruits, vegetables and nuts.
Cut back on the information onslaught. Limit your exposure to the Internet and television, replacing it with conversation and reading.
Which activities or other natural remedies have you discovered that will combat depression and moodiness? Please share them with us.
Dave, on the info that you want to print, just scroll with your mouse, then right click and hit the print button. Or you can click the copy button and then go to word document and right click and click on paste to print from you word document.
All good but the best way to feel better about life is to start winning. Winners are not depressed. It’s time we all started feeling like winners.
To combat moodiness and depression, especially if you can’t just “get away” either physically or mentally at that time, the best thing to do is do the SUPERMAN or WONDER WOMAN stance (this helps you feel empowered, as well). For the SUPERMAN stance, stand with your feet 1 to 2 feet apart, and your hands straight up in the air like you are ready to fly; with you back straight & a smile on your face, hold this position for a moment. The WONDER WOMAN stance is the same for the feet, but the hands go at the hips; back straight, smile. Deep breaths…, Now, go do it in front of a mirror (you’ll laugh of course; and that’ll help you feel better too).
stay away from caffiene. smoke some weed and your depression, aches and blood pressuer will drop and you’ll feel great. just a puff for the first time and see how you feel.
A good way to improve your mood is to help someone else. There’s a big lift from doing something that makes someone smile.
Reuben & Robert, Both great ways. Mine…..Go to the range & let loose a few mags. Besides relieving the stress it also serves to keep your acuracey up to par.
i go once a week a use my landlords pictuer for a target, lol!
A long hike in the mountains .. Nothing can compare to the stress relief of “getting away” for a while to contemplate the wonder of Gods creations. Some earnest prayer and a chance to just be quiet and listen are priceless.
A short version of the mountain hike is get your bare feet into grass or sand and enjoy whatever’s growing.
i drove 2 freaking hours to the national forest in california. i went off road and found a nice stream and a good area to camp. at 3am i got woken up by a park ranger and a deputy sheriff. i had to pack up and leave and got fined $50.00 for camping in a national forest out side a camp ground. wtf has happened to this country.
My favorite way to combat depression is to go fishing.
I will use any excuse to go fishing. It relieves stress and gives me a new perspective on my life ever time I go.
Really need a print icon. Many articles are worth sharing and saving. Thanks.
using your mouse, scroll the info you want to print, then right click and click on the print button, or you can copy and paste the info in your Word document