Depression can be brutal. Depression affects your sleep, your mood, your work, your interaction with family, your eating habits, and your energy. There are different types of depression too. Postpartum Depression hits new moms, Seasonal Affective Disorder hits during the winter when there is not much sun, and then there’s Depressive Disorder, and more. The National Institute of Mental Health states that depression is one of the most common mental disorders. So what can you do to combat depression and weakness? Here are seven tips to help!
1. Take Supplements
If you aren’t a fan of going right to the doctor for regulated drugs with mixed reviews, try natural-made supplements or a multivitamin. You can go to a store or shop online. Online retailers like https://shopwellabs.com/ help you get capsules or tablets and have things for depression, anxiety, pregnancy, eyes, for vegetarians, you name it, they have it! They even have a keratin supplement. Together depression can be overcome. What Supplements combat depression and weakness, though?
Biotin
Biotin can be purchased alone, as liquid biotin, biotin, collagen, or found in a B complex. Biotin helps your body turn food into energy and regulates blood sugar levels. This will help a lot with the sluggishness and weakness that come with depression.
B-12
B12 drops or vitamin B12 liquid help prevent anemia which makes you feel tired and weak. You can get it individually, or it can be found in a good B-Complex. B Vitamins can be found in whole grain, meat, seeds, fruits, and veggies, but you have to eat a lot to get what is found in a capsule.
Chlorophyll Drops
Chlorophyll is what makes plants green and helps them absorb the sun. In humans, it helps boost your energy and fight illness. You can get it in your diet by eating leafy greens, but taking a supplement is so much easier unless you are one of those people that enjoys kale.
Lion’s Mane Extract
Lion’s Mane is a shaggy white mushroom. It reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression. It can also reduce your risk of certain diseases, is an antioxidant, helps with inflammation, and can help repair nerve damage. It is super beneficial!
Ginseng
Ginseng is a great supplement that can boost your immunity, lower your blood sugar and boost your brain function. This can help you not feel so weak or sluggish.
Iodine
Iodine works with your thyroid. This micronutrient is not found in plants, so vegetarians need to supplement this. A sluggish thyroid can cause slow metabolism and low energy. Iodine is added to regular table salt but won’t be found in any of the sea salts growing in popularity.
Selenium
Selenium, like Iodine, helps with your thyroid and metabolism. It helps combat all the things that happen when you age that make you feel not youthful anymore.
2. See Your Doctor
A doctor can prescribe you an antidepressant such as Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Paxil, Lexapro, Cymbalta, or one of the other ones out there. Like most prescription drugs, there can be adverse side effects. Everyone reacts differently, but they can cause headaches, nausea, insomnia, fatigue, constipation, or even suicidal thoughts. (If you are currently on an antidepressant and experiencing any of this, talk to your doctor and never just stop taking it without talking to them first. Withdrawals can be horrible!) Antidepressants also interact with a LOT of stuff, so always check with your doctor and see!
3. Therapy
Seeing a therapist or psychologist can help you get to the root of your depression or weakness if it is psychological. This, combined with supplements you may be low on, could put you on the road to success.
4. Get a Life Coach
A life coach is a step under therapy but still therapy-like. They can often specialize in different areas such as relationships, work, or life and help you come up with healthy changes to get your life back in the right direction. But going to a relationship life coach isn’t a sign, that something went wrong, in fact, that’s a good sign, that you’re interested in building stronger relationships and developing the vital skills you need to make your dreams come true.
5. Get Outside!
Sunlight is our primary natural source of Vitamin D, and a lack of it is one of the primary causes of seasonal depression.
6. Aromatherapy
As weird as it sounds, smelling certain scents can boost your mood and help reduce your depression. You can dilute the essential oil and wear it like a perfume or cologne, use it in an oil warmer, put a few drops on the filter for your air conditioner, or get an aromatherapy diffuser. There are a lot of brands and scents out there. There are some pre-blended ones for depression and happiness; you can use a single scent or create your own mix. Look for Geranium, Bergamot, Basil, Clary Sage, Sandalwood, and Citrus like Orange, Lemon, or Grapefruit. Candles scented with essential oils are also a great option.
7. Get Active
When you don’t want to get out of bed, that is when you need to. Even if you just go outside and walk to the mailbox and back a time or two, it can help. Exercise releases happy endorphins and helps your blood circulate better. Call a friend for a lunch date. Getting out and not isolating can also really help your energy and mood levels.
Depression and weakness CAN be overcome, but it won’t happen overnight. Whatever route you choose, you will start feeling better, and it will build over time. The main thing is not to be afraid or ashamed to ask for help.
