How to Naturally Cure Depression

Whether you have been clinically diagnosed with depression, or you simply feel unhappy with yourself or your situation in life, there is a way to overcome your perpetual feelings of discontent. I have dealt with some of these feelings myself, and I put a lot of time into building a method for helping people get rid of their anxiety, stress, and mental anguish. I call it The Seven Keys to Living Happy, Healthy, and Whole.

If you follow the seven keys, you can:

• Increase your happiness
• Learn how to get rid of negative emotions
• Improve your diet
• Build a regular exercise program that fits your needs and your personality
• Discover a restorative sleep pattern tailored to your schedule
• Alleviate pre-existing physical conditions that can contribute to—or stem from—depression

My book How to Live Until You Die outlines each of the seven keys and goes into detail on how to take the proper steps to implement each key into your own life. While each of the keys contributes to overall health and happiness, they also individually promote significant improvement in specific areas. For example: Having the right diet will help greatly in maintaining a healthy weight, but did you know that it can actually boost mental health as well?

Research has proven there is a direct correlation between depression and an unhealthy diet. Do you eat a lot of sweets and other processed foods? That can cause unhappiness. While it may seem like fast food is your only option in the middle of a busy day, it can be a major instigator to feelings of depression, poor eating habits, and obesity. There are plenty of healthier options that take less time to prepare than you think.

Raw fruits and vegetables are a great snack because not only do they require little to no preparation, they are a natural source of vitality. Instead of consuming empty calories which can also act as depressants, consider snacking on raw fruits and vegetables. Some fruits and vegetables even have properties known to boost energy, fight disease, and put you in a good mood. Other foods to consider in your depression-defeating diet are scallops and salmon, which both have been found to improve mood and reduce depression.

In addition to a good diet, having a regular exercise routine will do wonders for your mental health. If you don’t already exercise regularly, finding a good routine can be hard, but it doesn’t have to be. Three tips that I like to give my clients and friends are:

1. Start with walking
2. Find something you love
3. Do more than you did yesterday

Walking is very therapeutic and can help to relieve stress. Finding an exercise that you love can give you great peace and add to the defining characteristics that make you who you are. You can also expand your social interactions by joining a group centered on a certain activity that you enjoy (runners, bikers, swimmers, etc.). One of the best ways to get started with any exercise is to set a goal of doing more than you did yesterday. No one is going to get off the couch after months of not exercising and complete one of the rigorous home-video workouts from the “As Seen on TV” workout plans. Keep it simple. Pick a fun activity that provides exercise, and start slow. Once you’re comfortable with a certain volume, add in personal challenges to push yourself and make it even more fun.

When it is possible, try to get 30 minutes of sunlight each day. Doing so will increase your Vitamin D levels and you will benefit from the fresh air and the feeling of the sun itself. Low Vitamin D can cause memory deficiency, general health risks, and is also linked to depression.

Another thing that can help you overcome heartache, depression, and emotional pain is to acknowledge your spiritual side. I personally read the Bible and spend time in regular prayer and meditation. Knowing that God is in control, that He loves you, and that He wants to spend time with you can lighten any burden and bring peace and gratitude to your life in unparalleled ways.

Sunny days make you happy, rainy days make you sad, and Xanax makes you feel in-between.
I won’t act like it didn’t make my anxiety better. It did. But it also made me feel sluggish all the dang time. Like, I don’t want to be anxious, but I don’t want to be a zombie either. I’m still on the hunt for a solution to this, but ain’t it.

For more advice on how to overcome depression naturally, get your copy of How to Live Until You Die today. Each of these topics and more are covered in detail, and each of the seven keys has concrete steps laid out so that you can build your own successful blueprint to living happy, healthy, and whole. Also, please check out my website for free resources to help you live, really live.

Healthy Blessings,

Dr. Phil

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