5 Natural Treatments for Depression that Work

Amy Taylor March 10, 2015

Whilst there is no conclusive evidence that they can treat depression, there are natural treatments that have been proven to ease the debilitating symptoms associated with this mental health illness.

Aromatherapy

There are a lot of ways that this natural treatment helps you manage depression. Aromatherapy involves the use of organic compounds called essential oils (taken from various parts of the plant like their roots, seeds, leaves, and blossoms) to improve your mood and mental health. Modern aromatherapists agree that this treatment can ease depression, paranoia, mental fatigue, and nervous disorders. It is generally effective for people who have mild forms of depression that do not require drugs.

Hypnosis

Hypnotherapy can also be used effectively as a treatment option for depression. Clinical hypnotherapy works for depression because it removes the underlying basis of depression and completes the unfinished business that otherwise continues to recycle as self-sabotaging thoughts and behaviours. This treatment helps you go down to the deepest level of these traumatic experiences, and release them from your mind and body. Hypnotherapy also allows you to replace fearful repetitive thoughts that aggravate the condition. Once self-sabotaging thoughts and behaviours have been resolved, the patient can begin to improve his or her body’s functioning.

Relaxation Therapy

Depression and anxiety often go hand-in-hand, and stress can greatly challenge one’s emotional health. Caring for all aspects of your emotional health is important for managing depression. Anxiety, which is common in people who have depression, can make people feel tense. Relaxation techniques like deep breathing, yoga and meditation, and regular exercise can be included in your treatment plan.

Biofeedback

Researchers are still not sure how this treatment works, but they know that biofeedback promotes relaxation, which can help relieve a number of conditions that are related to stress. The treatment can help a person relax and elevate mood levels. Multiple studies on biofeedback and depression have found that this therapy can have significant positive effects. For instance, a 2008 study from the Clinic for Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine at the Technical University in Germany found that depressed patients had reduced anxiety, decreased heart rate and increased heart rate variability after treatment with heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback.

Acupuncture

Another natural therapy that is very effective in alleviating symptoms of depression is acupuncture. There are a number of studies that show acupuncture helps with pain, and may help with depression and anxiety as well. This therapy promotes the release of endorphins in the body, which causes feelings of happiness and relaxation.

Seeing a therapist has a negative connotation today as it gives people an idea that something is “wrong” with them. Don’t be ashamed to see a professional therapist. It’s greatly helpful and allows for some much-needed relief from your thoughts and emotions.