Going through depression is often a time when you can feel lost and hopeless. Nights can be long and listless, filled with anxiety. Day to day activities can be difficult, or even impossible to complete. When your sadness lasts for weeks, months, or even longer, it can be a sign of a deeper issue. In fact, it might be a sign that you have clinical depression, which is a medical condition and should be treated as such.  

But remember, there is hope for recovery and relief. Combined with proper treatment such as medication and therapy, you can take back your life and fight back against this condition. 

What is Depression? 

At some point in your life, you may have felt sad or depressed about something or someone. It’s important to keep in mind that feeling sad is a part of life. However, when your sadness lasts for weeks, months, or even longer, it can be a sign of a deeper issue. In fact, it might be a sign that you have clinical depression, which is a medical condition and should be treated as such. 

Depression is more than just feeling sad. Some of the symptoms of depression can include:

• Feeling anxious, sad, or empty 
• Loss of interest in activities and things that once interested you 
• Feelings of guilt and worthlessness 
• Feeling hopeless 
• Hypersomnia or insomnia 
• Fatigue 
• Decrease in energy 
• Large amount of weight loss or gain 
• Indecisiveness and trouble concentrating 
• Irritability 
• Restlessness 
• Suicidal thoughts 

Nutrition and Supplements You Should Try 

B Vitamins - To help ease your depression, you should try consuming B and B6 vitamins. These vitamins have been known to help increase the effectiveness of antidepressants. 

St. John's Wort - If you’re interested in using herbal remedies, St. John’s Wort can be an effective treatment. However, it should not be taken with any antiretroviral medications, antidepressants, or birth control pill. 

Fish Oil - Fish oil is a great supplement that can help decrease the likeliness of depression. Due to its omega-3 fatty acids, it helps promote good mental health. 

Eat a Healthy and Balanced Diet

Foods that contain omegas, folic acids like avocado and spinach can help counteract depression and promote a healthy mind and body. When your body feels better, it is more likely that your spirit will feel better. 

Try Eating Foods that Boost Your Serotonin Levels

It is well-known that by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, you can alleviate some of the symptoms depression. Though a lot of prescription anti-depression medications work to increase serotonin, certain dietary changes can have the same effect. 

Start a Routine

Depression can remove any structure that your life once had. By setting a light schedule for yourself every day, you can create a culture within your daily life that puts you back in control. 

Meditate

The effects of meditation on depression and mood have been well studied. Meditation can help you to relax, boost your mood, and alleviate some of your depression symptoms. 

Work Out

The effect that exercising has on depression recovery is also well-documented. Exercising boosts your serotonin levels, which improves your mood and helps to relieve the symptoms of depression. Try to work in 30 minutes of exercise every day. 

Limit Your Caffeine Intake

Caffeine can make depression even worse. Try to avoid caffeine and cut down on your daily coffee or soda intake. 

Make Sure You Are Getting Enough Sleep 

When living with depression, getting enough sleep can be a challenge. Unfortunately, sleeping too little can make your depression even worse. To try to improve your sleep schedule, make a few changes to your lifestyle. 

• Limit screen time before bed 
• Make sure you stick to a schedule by setting a bedtime, morning alarm, and trying not to nap 
• Make sure your room is totally dark when you are trying to sleep 

Find Professional Help

Home remedies can be very helpful when trying to manage depression, but sometimes more help is needed. A mental health professional or psychotherapist can help you to determine the root of your depression and help you to face it head on. 

If you are having suicidal or violent thoughts, immediate help can be found at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org or by calling 1-800-273-8255. There is help and support there 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.