Home Remedies for Depression: Disaster Brings Depression So Know the Remedies

Home remedies for depression are an all-natural, safe and effective way to help you cope with your emotions, especially during a time of crisis. If you do not suffer from or have a history of depression, you may dismiss the importance of knowing how to treat this common psychological ailment but you should keep in mind that this knowledge could save a life. 

Following a dramatic change to live circumstances such as might be experienced following a nation-wide disaster, where life-as-we-know-it will never be the same, some people will experience depression. However, if you know how to help them, or yourself, it is beneficial to surviving a life-threatening situation.

Solar Power

One of the best mood enhancers and stabilizers is vitamin D, which your body and the sun naturally produce. However, your body does not make enough vitamin D and thus relies on the sun to obtain this happy-inducing nutrient. Still, you may find yourself in a situation where you can only travel or hunt at night or maybe you are trying to survive in the midst of winter, when sunshine is lacking. 

If this is the case, know that you only need 15 minutes of sun to produce your daily dose of vitamin D, which you can obtain even in the dark winter months. In the event you are leading a nocturnal existence, try to get up and go out for a few minutes, provided it is safe, and the sun's warm rays are sure to uplift your mood.

Go Fishing

Aside from the sun, one of the best home remedies for depression is a diet high in fish. Eating the skin of fatty fish, like salmon, mackerel and tuna, is the best natural source of vitamin D, though you could possibly squeeze the oils from the flesh and drink it to up your intake of this depression preventing nutrient. If you do not like fish or cannot rely on that source for food, you can also try liver, eggs, cheese and some mushrooms. Also try to avoid caffeine, alcohol and junk foods, though this should not be a problem in a survival situation.

Exercise

You probably know that exercise has numerous health benefits, but did you also know it is amongst the top home remedies for depression? When you exercise, your body releases hormones known as endorphins, which have the effect of making you happy. Odds are, if you find yourself in a survival situation, exercising on a regular basis should not be a problem, as hunting, escaping danger or walking to find a safe haven is likely to now be a part of your daily life.

Herbs

One of the most common home remedies for depression is St. John’s Wort, a pretty flower with an ugly name and a bad reputation among gardeners. Easy to grow, as it has the properties of a weed, this botanical is native to parts of Europe but is not common in Canada, western America, South Africa and Australia. While you are unlikely to have this herb on hand during a crisis, you could prepare by having seed packets so you can grow the flower if necessary, as all you need is poor soil and sun, though partial shade is tolerable. 

Once planted, wait for the flowers to bloom, then pick the petals and leaves, dry them for at least ten days and then you can consume them, though you should be aware that while natural, St. John’s wart can produce side effects ranging from dry mouth to dizziness to diarrhea.

Home Remedies for Depression Takes Effort

Depending on your particular circumstances, these home remedies for depression, with the exception of exercise, may be hard to come by but do not give up. Try to meditate or focus on the positive, such as ways you can contribute to the group’s survival. Take on a task or lead a project and view the experience, as horrible as it may be, as an opportunity to learn new skills and overcome challenges, as the feeling of victory is unmatched by any other.

Each little victory helps you take back control, from that which is lost. Enabling your mind to make sense of some of the chaos around you.

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