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Natural Ways to Handle Moodiness, Depression and Anxiety

It is estimated that each year as many as 20 million adults in the United States alone suffer from some form of depression. Often, these are mild cases that involve moodiness and anxiety, and can be managed and overcome with proper treatment. Natural options for treating moodiness, depression, and anxiety abound, and can be the best option for handling mild cases, especially if you are taking prescription medications for other pre-existing conditions.

  1. Herbal Supplements You Can Take

    • There are numerous herbal options available to treat mild cases of depression, anxiety and moodiness, including St. John's Wort (perhaps the best-known herbal supplement that you can take to treat mild cases of depression, though it can take up to six weeks to begin alleviating symptoms); passionflower (an herb that has been proven to reduce anxiety); and chamomile (popular in teas and used to lessen anxiety and moodiness and increase relaxation). Before beginning any herbal supplement regimen, check with your doctor to avoid negative reactions with other medications you may be taking.

    Foods You Should Eat and Foods You Should Avoid

    • Experts recommend eating a variety of healthful foods to improve mood and ease depression and anxiety, including nuts, dark green vegetables and whole grains (all contain magnesium, which helps our bodies to produce the mood-enhancing chemical serotonin), as well as bananas, fish and lean meats (which contain B6, a vitamin that also helps to improve mood and outlook).

      If you are depressed, it is important to stay away from mood-altering substances such as alcohol, caffeine and sugar---though foods with these ingredients may temporarily cause feelings of happiness or relaxation. Such feelings often dissipate quickly, resulting in even more severe bouts of depression and/or anxiety.

    Activities That Can Make A Difference

    • Pursuing the things that you are passionate about is a crucial and natural way to fight depression and all of its manifestations. Though you may feel particularly unmotivated when you are feeling anxious or down, forcing yourself to attend the yoga class you love or finish that short story you had previously been inspired to write can make a huge difference in your mood. Such activities, along with most forms of exercise and spending time outdoors in natural daylight, produce chemicals in your brain (including serotonin and endorphins) that can lead you to be more optimistic optimistic and able to fight a mild bout of depression.

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