These seven natural depression treatments will help you beat the seasonal depression that often accompanies daylight savings time.
March 2022. This article is independently written by Shelby Golding. All opinions given are hers. Shelby has been certified as a personal trainer and nutritional specialist since 2007. In 2008, she found her passion for writing about these topics and hasn’t looked back.
Depression is a common side effect of springing forward. Daylight Savings time has health implications no matter how healthy you might feel. The time change reduces sun exposure and exacerbates seasonal depression.
A majority of people will bounce back from depression related to the changing of the clocks within five to seven days. But our mental health doesn’t have to suffer because we are losing an hour of sleep. Several natural supplements exist to support those with mild depression symptoms.
These supplements are considered complementary or alternative medicine. Some treatments, like acupuncture, have been around for thousands of years and therefore have a lot of experiential evidence supporting its success, even if modern medicine doesn’t fully understand it. Other treatments are still in the beginning stages of study and, therefore, should only be used after speaking with your primary care doctor.
7 Natural Depression Treatments for Daylight Savings
These seven holistic remedies will help you combat the depression that often accompanies Daylight Savings. Before starting any new supplements, talk to your doctor to learn the full benefits and risks of these natural depression treatments.
1. St. John’s Wort
St. John’s wort is an herbal supplement used in alternative medicine to treat depression. This supplement is made from a flower and has been used to treat mental health issues since ancient Greece. The exact effectiveness of St. John’s wort is still undergoing investigation. However, several studies suggest that it is as effective at treating mild to moderate cases of depression as standard prescription antidepressants.
It cannot be used in combination with antidepressants since it could cause a life-threatening increase in your body’s serotonin levels. St. John’s wort is usually better for mild cases of depression, and there is no evidence showing that it works as a long-term depression treatment.
St. John’s wort is not approved by the FDA to treat depression in the U.S.
2. SAMe
SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine) is another dietary supplement made to imitate a naturally occurring chemical in the body. SAMe helps create pathways for synthesizing hormones, neurotransmitters, nucleic acids, proteins, and phospholipids. The body also uses it to synthesize norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin.
Most of the studies on SAMe showed evidence of reducing depression. The studies showed that SAMe was more effective than a placebo and may even enhance the effects of common antidepressants. However, most of the trials involving SAMe were short, small, and not of the highest scientific quality. Do not take SAMe if you have bipolar disorder since it can trigger mania.
Most of the studies on SAMe showed evidence of reducing depression. The studies showed that SAMe was more effective than a placebo and may even enhance the effects of common antidepressants. However, most of the trials involving SAMe were short, small, and not of the highest scientific quality. Do not take SAMe if you have bipolar disorder since it can trigger mania.
SAMe is not approved by the FDA to treat depression in the U.S.
3. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a healing therapy from traditional Chinese medicine that uses thin needles to stimulate the meridian points found throughout the body. Tradition states that each line of energy has several points used to access specific organs, bones, tendons, and ligaments. Acupuncture has been proven to effectively treat back pain, insomnia, anxiety, infertility, nausea, and depression.
Several studies have shown acupuncture is effective for decreasing the severity of depression and may be as effective as some over-the-counter antidepressants. Acupuncture can also address issues that span the entire body, from mood to physical pain.
Several studies have shown acupuncture is effective for decreasing the severity of depression and may be as effective as some over-the-counter antidepressants. Acupuncture can also address issues that span the entire body, from mood to physical pain.
4. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are found in cold-water fish, flax seeds, chia seeds, and walnuts. Nations that eat a lot of fish have much lower numbers of people suffering from depression. This link prompted scientists to investigate whether omega-3s could be used to mitigate the symptoms of depression.
While the full effects of omega-3 on depression are still undergoing investigation, these fatty acids do have some exciting health benefit implications. Omega-3s travel easily through the cell membrane to interact with the mood-related molecules in the brain. They are also anti-inflammatory and may be an effective treatment for depression and obesity. Omega-3 supplements are generally safe and well-tolerated, although your body will absorb it better when consumed as part of a meal.
While the full effects of omega-3 on depression are still undergoing investigation, these fatty acids do have some exciting health benefit implications. Omega-3s travel easily through the cell membrane to interact with the mood-related molecules in the brain. They are also anti-inflammatory and may be an effective treatment for depression and obesity. Omega-3 supplements are generally safe and well-tolerated, although your body will absorb it better when consumed as part of a meal.
5. 5-HTP
5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) is a supplement that is being studied for its effect on serotonin levels. Most prescription antidepressants (SSRIs) work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a mood-stabilizing chemical that our body uses for cognition, reward, learning, and memory.
Our body turns 5-HTP into serotonin which makes serotonin levels rise naturally. Preliminary studies show the 5-HTP might be at least as effective as some prescription antidepressants. However, 5-HTP should not be taken with certain prescription antidepressants since it can cause serotonin syndrome.
Our body turns 5-HTP into serotonin which makes serotonin levels rise naturally. Preliminary studies show the 5-HTP might be at least as effective as some prescription antidepressants. However, 5-HTP should not be taken with certain prescription antidepressants since it can cause serotonin syndrome.
6. Meditation
Meditation is not going to make your depression symptoms vanish. Instead, it focuses on reducing the negative thoughts and feelings that could send you into a depressive spiral. It does this by helping you accept your thoughts without judgment and identify the origin of your negative emotions.
Meditation, mindfulness, and other relaxation therapies are backed by plenty of research. These treatments can prevent depression relapses and improve symptoms when practiced regularly. However, the benefits of meditation go far beyond its ability to help with depression. Some research even suggests that meditation treats the chronic pain and stress responses in the brain.
Meditation, mindfulness, and other relaxation therapies are backed by plenty of research. These treatments can prevent depression relapses and improve symptoms when practiced regularly. However, the benefits of meditation go far beyond its ability to help with depression. Some research even suggests that meditation treats the chronic pain and stress responses in the brain.
7. DHEA
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a naturally occurring hormone in the body. Our body uses DHEA to create sex hormones, testosterone for men and estrogen for women. As a supplement, DHEA is increasingly popular for its supposed anti-aging properties.
DHEA levels in the body peak at the age of 20 and gradually decrease as we age. Therefore, DHEA may be most effective for mild or moderate depression in people in midlife. More research is needed on this natural depression treatment. Still, preliminary studies show that about 50% of people have fewer depression symptoms while taking DHEA as a supplement.
While DHEA is usually well-tolerated, long-term use is not recommended since it may result in serious side effects.
DHEA levels in the body peak at the age of 20 and gradually decrease as we age. Therefore, DHEA may be most effective for mild or moderate depression in people in midlife. More research is needed on this natural depression treatment. Still, preliminary studies show that about 50% of people have fewer depression symptoms while taking DHEA as a supplement.
While DHEA is usually well-tolerated, long-term use is not recommended since it may result in serious side effects.
7. Know When to Get Help
These natural depression treatments can support your efforts to maintain a happy mood as we weather the final months leading up to spring. Depression is a serious mental health illness that can increase in severity if you do not get professional help. Do not try treating it on your own without first consulting with your doctor.
And if chronic pain is making it more difficult to deal with depression symptoms, your Kailo patch is here to help. Kailo is designed to relieve pain in seconds, and it’s theorized to work by interfering with the body’s electrical system. In addition, a recent clinical study showed that 97% of patients preferred Kailo over oral medication. Get yours today!
And if chronic pain is making it more difficult to deal with depression symptoms, your Kailo patch is here to help. Kailo is designed to relieve pain in seconds, and it’s theorized to work by interfering with the body’s electrical system. In addition, a recent clinical study showed that 97% of patients preferred Kailo over oral medication. Get yours today!
Disclaimer: Kailo should not be used if you have a pacemaker or if you are pregnant. Always consult your doctor or health care professional before using Kailo.
