Health & Wellness

Dealing with depression is not easy for a person but there is no need to suffer in silence.  One can opt for different therapies, medications, meditation, physical exercise and even diet to help combat the condition. Home remedies help in  lifting a person’s mood and including them in your diet will help ease depression in a safe and natural manner.

1.  Green Tea

Tea consumption, especially green tea, reduces the risk for psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders including depression. It is full of antioxidants, theanine and amino acids which helps in overcoming depression in a natural way. The amino acids reduce stress and increase dopamine levels in the brain.

2.  Dark chocolate

Dark chocolate is nearly identical to antidepressants as it increases serotonin levels in the body and slows down the production of stress hormones. It also reduces the effects of chronic fatigue syndrome, due to its flavonoid content along with satisfying our cravings for something sweet.

3.  Almonds

Almonds have high magnesium content which influences production of serotonin, a “feel-good” brain chemical and affects overall energy production. It also has selenium, which helps in producing thyroid hormones to combat decreased thyroid functioning that is positively associated with depressive symptoms. Zinc is also present in almonds, it protects brain cells from free-radical damage and boosts neurotransmitter production and functioning.

4. Banana

Bananas contain high amounts of tryptophan, which raises the body’s serotonin level. It also provides vitamin B6, which your body needs to manufacture serotonin from tryptophan. It also contains four other B vitamins: thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3) and folate (B9) which help in combating depression.

5.  Spinach

Dark leafy greens like spinach are really effective for depression. They are filled with nutrients, such as magnesium, folic acid, and zinc, which are important for brain health and fighting depression symptoms.

6. Eggs

Being one of the most popular breakfast foods, eggs are packed with protein and other nutrients. Eggs are a good source of zinc, vitamin D and vitamin B12 which helps in boosting  neurotransmitter production and functioning, forms red blood cells, maintains a healthy nervous system and other mental health problems.

7.  Curcumin 

Curcumin has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It is very effective in alleviating the symptoms of major depressive disorders.

8.  Saffron 

Saffron has antidepressant and anxiolytic properties and hence is used in the treatment of major depression.