Mental health issues are on the rise, even as we are living longer, healthier lives. It’s predicted that by 2030, depression will be the most common medical condition in the world. While there are ways to treat mental illness with medication, some all-natural remedies have been shown to be effective. In this post we will take a look at eight ways to address mental health issues without swallowing a pill.
GET ACTIVE
Aristotle argued that happiness isn’t an emotion, but an activity. It stands to reason that if we sit inside staring at the wall we will not be joyful! Embarking on any activity, no matter how small or inconsequential, gives our mind and mood a boost. Research has shown that a physically active lifestyle is particularly beneficial. Working up a sweat causes our brain to release an abundance of feel-good chemicals. So the next time you feel down, put on your walking shoes, and go for a long walk. You may find you feel better when you return home.
GIVE BACK
We live in a society that asks people to look out for only one person: themselves. We’re forever trying to ahead of the next person, earn more money, and so on. But we’re social creatures, and there’s a chance that the individualistic mindset goes against our nature. It turns out that just helping others makes us feel good. Imagine that! Take a look at working with a charity and giving back to your community. You’ll be doing a good deed, and helping yourself feel better, too. Everyone wins!
BONDING WITH AN ANIMAL
What did we ever do to deserve animals? Take dogs. They give us all the love in the world, and all they ask for is the same in return – and sometimes, not even that. Studies have shown that developing a bond with a dog can do wonders for our mental health. Indeed, they’re even prescribed to people with emotional and mental health issues as a way to ease their suffering. If this option sounds appealing to you, then work with ESA experts, and get the process started. The bond you create with an animal might just do wonders for mental well-being.
EATING WELL
We have a habit of breaking down our bodies into different [parts – like our external appearance and our mind, for example – but in reality, it’s all interconnected. This means that what you put into your stomach will also affect your state of mind. What are you currently eating? If it’s just frozen goods that you put into the oven – or, worse, the microwave – then you’ll want to consider switching to healthier foods. A plate that’s half-filled with fresh vegetables will boost your health in numerous ways. For starters, your body will be healthier, and who doesn’t want that? And you’ll also be making sure that your mind gets all the mineral and nutrients it needs to be well.
SET A TARGET
It’s easy to fall into a negative state of mind if we’re just going through the motions all day, every day. Studies have shown that the mind is given a boost when it has a target, something to aim for it – a reason, basically, to get up in the morning and make things happen. What this is doesn’t really matter. You might want to read twenty books in the next six months, or achieve a promotion, or travel to a country. Whatever it is, you’ll have a target that will focus your mind on a positive result.
COLD WATER CLEANSING
When we talk about modern life, we usually point to things like daily hot showers and all the food we could possibly eat as good things. But actually, there’s a chance that comfort and convenience are massively overrated. Take showers. The bulk of society takes a daily hot shower, but might it be better if we switched to a cold shower? If your mental health has taken a downward turn, then the answer is probably yes. For reasons not yet fully understood, taking a very cold shower for 3-5 minutes has been shown to be good for us. Note that it’s not exactly enjoyable to experience – but you’ll feel the effects when you get out. Oh, and you’ll have energy to burn, too.
LIMIT SCREEN TIME
Technology just kind of popped into our lives in a very short period, and now it’s everywhere. But it’s not necessarily good for us, especially if we’re spending hours soaking up that screen time. As such, it’s important to take regular breaks. If you find yourself mindlessly browsing the web every night, find a more productive hobby instead. Meditating, doing yoga, or relaxing with a book will be much better for your state of mind. There’s a reason why Apple executives don’t let their children have iPads (but they’re happy to sell them to the public).
GET INTO NATURE
By far the best, most natural, most enjoyable way of dealing with mental health in a natural way is to spend time in nature. Many of us live in urban areas, but there’s no proof that city-living is good for us – in fact, all the signs point to the opposite. So consider taking a trip out into the countryside – wherever you live, there’ll be some picturesque scenery nearby. According to experts, as little as fifteen minutes walking through nature is enough to give our brain a boost.
CONCLUSION
Create your own unique combination of these tips and activities, and you’ll be on your way to giving your mental mind a much-needed pick me up, and, in most cases, having fun too.
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This article resonates with me. I am doing pretty well with the eight topics. The last three I need to work on. I’m gradually getting to a lukewarm shower. Limit screen time is my biggest, esp. since I do not watch tv as much. I have picked up the embroidery work (gosh I need magnifying glasses) and I think I will need to travel outside of Ohio to get into nature. Although, a brisk walk in the soon-to-come snow followed up with a hot tea and a good book may just do the trick.
I had never heard that cold shower was good for depression! That’s a new one on me. Nature and walking are by far my most often achieved. Screen time? Not so much. BUT, I am setting a goal to cut back. It’s killing my eyes, speaking of losing ones eyesight. I now have a floater and have officially become my mother! And, I’m pretty sure Ohio has nature! 🙂
Sound advise, I believe. I wonder though how it can be followed by a person seriously depressed. Would be wonderful to see and follow good advise when in the grip of such a mental illness.
Theses tips certainly skim the surface and are marginally helpful to those suffering from prolonged or clinical depression. I have found them useful as part of a healing protocol, and helping to stave off a relapse.