Natural Remedies for Depression & Stress

Depression and stress can both wreak havoc in a person's life, especially if experienced at the same time or on an ongoing basis. While there are a number of drugs that can be used to treat either one, there are also a multitude of natural remedies that can be used. While clinical depression (deep depression that lasts more than two weeks) does need medical care, much can be done at home to ease the symptoms as well.

Exercise

• Physical activity can help with both depression and stress. Because depression tends to cause fatigue and lack of energy, however, performing any type of exercise may seem impossible or even desirable. The good news is that even light exercise will provide good results when it comes to lifting mood and providing stress relief. Walking, biking or skating are all fine choices, as are hiking and swimming. Outdoor activities might be better for most, as the clear air can also help destress. If this is not possible, even a 15-minute bout at the gym or a longer-than-usual walk with your dog will also suffice. Yoga is also a great exercise option, as it can help with concentration and calming down the mind, as well as keeping the body in motion with minimal effort.

Acupuncture

• With a tradition older than 2,000 years, acupuncture has become a well-respected medical option to treat numerous diseases, including depression. According to the National Institutes of Health, acupuncture balances the energy in the body, leading to mental and emotional equilibrium. This leads to alterations in the brain chemistry that will eventually affect neurotransmitters and have a positive impact on depression and stress. Numerous studios and clinical programs have studied the effect of acupuncture in patients suffering from clinical depression and determined that it works best when combined with other techniques (especially the use of herbs) and when used for a period of at least six weeks. Acupuncture is particularly beneficial to those who can't afford drug treatment or who prefer not to use chemical elements but still need to receive treatment because of the severity of the symptoms. Up to 80 percent of insurance companies cover acupuncture, and only licensed acupuncturists should be used to ensure top quality and safety specifications.

Herbs

• There are many herbs that can be used to treat depression and stress, although finding specific ones that can treat both problems may be difficult. St John's Wort has long been used to treat depression, although the herb interferes with certain types of drugs (including birth control pills and depression medication) so it should be used only under medical supervision. Other herbs that are widely used to treat depression include Kava Kava, Licorice, Ginkgo biloba and Siberian ginseng. When it comes to treating stress, the herbs to take are those that lower anxiety, improve sleep and exhaustion. St. John's Wort can be used for this, but other herbal combinations are more commonly suggested, such as Wild Yam and Gotu Kola. Chamomile, peppermint and valerian all help with insomnia and can help relax muscles and balance the nervous system.

Art Therapy

• Art therapy has long been used to treat depression in hospitals and clinics. For the most part, however, the efficacy has been lost in the general population and rarely used for therapeutic reasons. While few programs exist to treat depression for non-clinical residents through art therapy, the same benefits can be obtained by taking classes or attending a workshop. Painting, pottery or sculpture classes offered at adult education centers or community colleges are a good place to start, as they can be used as a way to destress and learn to focus attention on something outside the internal issue being experienced. This can also be experienced at home through the use of paints, pastels or crayons, by either drawing and painting (abstracts are fine, as you're not going for quality) or by coloring a small children's book in your spare time.

Massage

• The use of touch to relieve stress and depression may seem like an obvious choice, but many people ignore it. Medical massage and reflexology are especially effective, as they target specific points for the key organs affected by stress and depression, such as the kidneys, heart and adrenal glands. Stimulation of these organs will result in better energy balance and will help the body release toxins. General massage, however, is also highly effective, especially if done in a setting leading to general relaxation, such as a low-light, calm spa room. The power of touch has been documented in different studies, such as the eight-week trial performed by Stanford University and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), in which participants experienced an increase in energy, better appetite, better concentration and higher self-respect and sense of worth after receiving 12 massage sessions over a period of eight weeks