Take A Holistic Approach To Your Mental Illness – Ditch Your Antidepressants

Depression is a silent killer. Blame it on their high-paced lifestyles or their genes, nearly 15 million Americans reportedly suffer from depression every year.  In some people, depression may be the outcome of chronic medical conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular ailments. In others, prolonged emotional distress typically results in chronic diseases. Thanks to the inevitable interlinking of physical and psychological aspects, depression cannot be treated as a standalone disorder. Advanced medical research has proven beyond doubt that medication cannot be the only answer to this serious illness.  It needs to be addressed through a whole-body approach – a holistic treatment system that strives to first identify the root cause, and design the therapy on the basis of this finding. It is easy to avail holistic treatments anywhere in the US. However, in order to avail the best of the lot, you must be in a wellness center in some of the USA’s thriving medical tourism destinations like Tampa. People from all over the world flock to these cities to enroll in these personalized wellness programs that focus on treating both your body and mind to help you feel better. They may differ in a few minor aspects, but most of them have three common ingredients – a healthy diet, exercise, and talk therapy. Want to know how the system works to cure depression? Read on.

A Diet to Beat Depression

Diet plays a big role in our mental wellbeing. Tasty food acts as a mood booster, while the absence of it tends to leave us in a bad mood. Hence holistic practitioners would tell you to eat well to feel good. But their advice comes with a rider – eat in a way so that it benefits your whole body. So, what according to them is an ideal diet for people with depression? A diet comprising whole grains, vegetables, fruits, beans, fish, and lean meat.  Why? A balanced diet comprising such elements helps to keep your blood sugar stable throughout the day – an important factor in calming your mood. For people with depression, having a stable blood sugar level is even more important.  In the world of holistic healthcare, eating healthy also implies the avoidance of certain food items and beverages such as processed food, soft drinks, and sugary snacks.

Exercise

We all know that exercise triggers an increase in serotonin levels by causing biochemical changes in the brain. Medications for depression, too, take the same line of action. But exercise is more effective in dealing with depression because people can learn to use this tool on their own, and as a result feel more in control. Exercise is particularly a good option for those patients whose medical conditions do not permit taking anti-depressants. This makes exercise the best option for pregnant and postpartum women, elderly people, and children fighting depression. The greatest benefit of exercise is that it is completely free from side effects. And above all, exercise is good for your whole body.

Talk Therapy

Two kinds of talk therapies – cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy – are particularly useful in treating depression. CBT not only helps you understand how your negative thoughts and behaviors are adding up to your depression, but offers strategies to help change the way you think.  Interpersonal therapy, on the other hand, helps you improve your relationships with your near and dear ones, so you feel better. Duration of these therapies may vary from several weeks to several years. You can opt for group-therapy or a one-on-one session with your practitioner.

When you are depressed, even getting out of bed seem like a chore, let alone hitting the kitchen for rustling up some healthy meal or going to the gym for some workout. However, the first step to take in battling depression is seeking medical help. Avail holistic treatments for depression in a wellness center in Tampa (or in any other happening medical tourism destination in the USA), embrace positivity and defeat depression without medication. But don’t give up midway – stick with it and allow it enough time to work.