Because we are physical creatures with physical needs, we respond largely to what we put into our systems.  As with many medical issues, a diet is a great place to start as a way to manage or treat depression. A well-balanced diet is key to staying happy and healthy, especially where depression is concerned. How many times have you heard that we are all supposed to drink 8 glasses of water per day?  Yet how many of us actually do that?  Proper hydration is essential to proper brain function. This is simple, easy, and inexpensive to do.

What about fresh fruits and vegetables?  How many do you consume in any given day?  Some sources say that we need 5 or more per day.   Below are a number of natural remedies and home remedies for depression that are based on healthy foods.  The cool thing is that you don’t have to more fruit and veg (unless you want to).

Asparagus has a long history for aiding with depression. The root of an asparagus is the area that you will want to look at. Squeeze or crush the bottom root of a piece of asparagus. If properly done, a powder will appear. This powder should be consumed daily in amounts of one or two grams each day.

Another food item believed to provide some relief from depression is apples. Apples are known for their vitamin B and potassium, which are often provided clinically in cases of depression. Although eating an apple each day is sufficient for many, there are others who suffer from depression who recommend supplementing the apple with milk and honey daily.

Vitamin B can also help those suffering from depression. We’ve already covered apples. Other foods with vitamin B include eggs, green vegetables, whole grain foods, and fish. Vitamin B is easily absorbed from foods, yet you may also want to examine natural vitamin B supplements.  Using supplements can give you a well-calibrated dosage that is easily adjusted.

Rose petals are used in individual cases to treat depression. When using this natural remedy for depression, you can make a tea by taking a small number of rose petals and mix them in boiling water. Once cooled, drink the mixture. Add sugar if you like.  If you pick the petals yourself, make sure they come from plants that have not been treated with systemic insecticides.  Natural, herbal teas are another great alternative.

Another natural way to treat or manage depression is to use mediation. Meditation and relaxation are two proven successful ways to cope with depression. For many individuals, sitting in a quiet room with their legs crossed, simply inhaling and exhaling is enough. For others, they choose to first learn the proper ways to relax and meditate. This is easy to do online or with an instructional CD.

A relaxing bath is another way to get short-term relief from depression. Although a bath may not provide permanent relief, it is a pleasant experience that shouldn’t be overlooked. When using a bath to manage depression, many recommend a warm water bath. For the best chance of relaxation, baths should be taken in a quite room that is dimly lit.  Candles are a nice touch.  Enhance the relaxation with some soothing music.

These are only some of many natural and home remedies to use when you feel depressed.  Recommend them to any close friends or family members that you know. With that in mind, as previously stated, it is important to remember that depression can also be chronic. This is when professional assistance should be sought.

My personal belief is that stress is always behind and underneath depression.  You can learn a lot eliminating stress here. When that’s dealt with, you can find a great tool for helping with depression when you click here.

In my humble opinion, you lead with your strengths.  You go with your gut, your instincts, your PASSION.  The trouble is, many people are content to “settle” for things in their lives.  They “settle” for a ho-hum relationship; they settle for a ho-hum, soul-crushing job; they “settle” for a couch potato life.  They think that passion is something that “everyone else” has.

What are the things you care about enough to change for?  How do you know?  How can you find out?

First of all, give yourself some space and some private time.  Start with 5 minutes. Anybody can find 5 minutes.  You can even start in the bathroom (if you catch my drift).  Take 5 minutes of uninterrupted time, and let yourself feel your way into an ideal future.  I’m not talking about fantasy.  You’re not Superman with x-ray vision and the ability to fly.  You’re not Ironman.  You’re not Wonder Woman.  You are a real person with aspirations.

In your mind, go out into that ideal future – as if there were NO obstacles; as if money were not an issue, as if geography weren’t an issue.  Where would you be (physically) in that ideal future? What surrounds you?  What to you see?  What do you hear? What do you feel?  Who are you with?  What do you do in that future ideal life?

Remember this is your ideal life.  There is no room here for “I can’t” or “I couldn’t possibly”.  This is your ideal life.  Not your husband’s.  Not your wife’s.  Not your parents’.  There is no one else here who can put limits on this picture of yours but YOU!  So GO FOR IT.  What does it look like?  What does it sound like? What does it feel like?

Have you let yourself really let go?  Do it.  Do it often.  Do it so often that it feels real.

The next step is to be in that ideal life and turn around and look at all the events between now and your future ideal life and see what must have happened in order for you to get from here to there.

Remember that it’s not going to happen all at once.  It’s going to happen in a series of steps — just like learning to walk or learning to talk or learning to spell.

In a future post, I’ll discuss making the steps real.

Overcome the stress in your life effortlessly and easily.  Find out how by going here.