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Ways to Help Depression Without Medication
Let’s make one thing clear…I do not think taking medication to help depression is bad whatsoever.
I’ve been battling depression on and off since 2007, so I understand just how mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausting it is.
Gratefully, I’ve finally found some positive ways to cope with my depression naturally.
Recovering from Depression is Difficult
There are so many lists about ways to cure depression.
Eat healthily. Exercise. Think happy thoughts. Blah blah blah.
We know.
But depression is so much more complex than that.
It’s not just a do A, B, and C and you’ll be happy kind of thing.
For many, depression is a lifelong battle.
Symptoms can go away for a while, but they’ll usually come back when you least expect it.
The times that my symptoms are the least aggressive is when I’m not intentionally trying to fight depression.
Instead of focusing so much energy on fighting depression, why not try my list of 13 unconventional (and sometimes weird) ways to fight depression without medication.
But first, here is a Must-Have Depression Checklist PDF!
How to Deal with Depression Without Medication
1. ONLINE THERAPY
According to Barna, the majority of the population has never attended therapy.
But therapy can be a crucial part of managing and recovering from depression.
When you’re depressed, I know how challenging it can be to get out of bed, let alone leave your house to attend therapy.
Did you know that there is online therapy?
Online Therapy is a complete online therapy toolbox.
Your therapy toolbox includes:
- Live video, voice, or text chat session with your therapist
- 8 easy-to-follow sections, including 25 worksheets
- Activity plan, journal, and tests
- Yoga and meditation videos
What I love about Online Therapy is that there are several life-changing options and therapists available, and you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your home.
This means you never need to worry before getting help.
Get 20% off your first month with my exclusive link.
Related post on therapy:
2. HEAR YOUR HEARTBEAT
Hearing your heartbeat can help put the importance of your life into perspective.
One way to do this is to take a bath and stick your ears under the water.
Do you hear that thump thump thump? It means you’re alive.
Soak all that energy in and remember how it feels during those times when you’re so numb it hurts to breathe.
Back when my depression was a daily occurrence, I tried to take a bath a couple of times a week for this very reason.
You can also close your eyes and place your hand over your heart.
Breathe deep and root yourself in your body.
More benefits of baths:
3. BALANCE LOWER CHAKRAS
Charkas are essentially a network of seven major energy centers arranged vertically along the core of your body.
(There are multiple different systems of Chakras, but I personally use the Western Seven Chakra System.)
You can learn more about chakras in this enlightening book.
The three lowest chakras are the root, the sacral, and the solar plexus chakras.
These chakras are considered your physical chakras, and they are responsible for your self-image and physical and emotional identity.
Signs of an Imbalanced Root Chakra:
- Lack of Motivation
- Feeling Disconnected
- Anger and Short Temper
- Impatience
- Feeling Stuck
- Greediness
How to Balance Root Chakra:
⭐ Listen to Meditation Music: 256 Hz
⭐ Speak Positive Affirmations: I am…
⭐ Diffuse Essential Oils: Frankincense, Patchouli, Cedarwood, Myrrh
⭐ Use Crystals: Red Jasper, Smoky Quartz, Hematite
⭐ Wear Colors: Red
⭐ Eat Foods: Red Potatoes, Strawberries, Cherries, Tomatoes
Signs of an Imbalanced Sacral Chakra:
- Depression
- Low Self-Esteem and Insecurity
- Fear
- Jealousy
- Insecurity
- Detachment
How to Balance Sacral Chakra:
⭐ Listen to Meditation Music: 288 Hz
⭐ Speak Positive Affirmations: I feel…
⭐ Diffuse Essential Oils: Orange, Neroli, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang
⭐ Use Crystals: Orange Calcite, Citrine, Orange Carnelian
⭐ Wear Colors: Orange
⭐ Eat Foods: Oranges, Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, Coconuts
Signs of an Imbalanced Solar Plexus Chakra:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Low Self-Esteem
- Codependency
- Lack of Self-Control
- Inability to Set or Maintain Boundaries
- Addiction
How to Balance Solar Plexus Chakra:
⭐ Listen to Meditation Music: 320 Hz
⭐ Speak Positive Affirmations: I do…
⭐ Diffuse Essential Oils: Lemon, Ginger, Juniper, Geranium
⭐ Use Crystals: Tiger’s Eye, Yellow Jasper, Lemon Quartz
⭐ Wear Colors: Yellow
⭐ Eat Foods: Lemons, Corn, Bananas, Yellow Squash, Pineapple
4. CRYSTALS
We briefly mentioned crystals in the above section, but let’s dive a bit deeper.
Not only are crystals and stones incredibly beautiful, but they can also be powerfully healing.
I like to think of crystals as bringing nature inside.
When you’re out in nature, the sun, the rain, the clouds, the grass, the trees, rivers, lakes, and oceans…they all help ground and make us feel connected to the earth.
Bringing crystals indoors helps bring these healing properties into your environment and surround you with their benefits.
Favorite Negative Clearing Crystals:
1. Rose Quartz
3. Smoky Quartz
For more, check out 10 Healing Crystals for Soothing Depression Symptoms.
How to Use Crystals:
⭐ Meditate: Hold them during meditation or hold them when you feel depressed or stressed.
⭐ On Your Body: Carry them around with you in your pocket or purse. Wear them as a necklace or bracelet.
⭐ Surrounding Space: Place them around your home, especially on nightstands, window sills, desks, and by electronics. Put them in your pillow while you sleep.
The main thing to note is to use crystals with intention. Crystals won’t work fully for you unless you allow them to.
More crystals for depression:
5. TAROT AND ORACLE READING
One of my absolute favorite parts of mental health management lies in getting to the deep inner workings of my soul — also known as shadow work.
What is Shadow Work?
When you think of nighttime, you think of darkness. You think of things that are hidden and not seen.
The moonlight helps shine a light on these gritty inner workings of our thought patterns, decisions, and actions.
Shadow work helps you see the areas of your life that could use some maintenance.
That being said, shadow work and emotional health go hand-in-hand.
Speaking of shadow work, I talk a lot about shadow work on my podcast. ↓
How to do Shadow Work:
⭐ Tarot and oracle reading — I do readings on my Instagram
⭐ Journaling
⭐ Meditating
Examples of Shadow Work Questions:
- What is currently blocking me?
- What am I currently clinging on to?
- How can I let go of my current situation?
- Why am I so sad and lonely?
- What truth have I been avoiding?
I could seriously go on and on, because we all have areas to improve on.
But the premise is…what currently needs some attention in your life?
Favorite Decks for Shadow Work:
- 18 Deliciously Dark Shadow Work Tarot Decks (for Inner Healing)
- 18 Stunning Oracle Decks for Deep Inner Shadow Work
6. MOOD SUPPLEMENT
One of my favorite ways to help depression without medication is to take a mood supplement.
I find herbs to be an incredibly powerful way to help relax the mind, relieve stress, and boost our mood.
Joy-Filled is packed with 7 healing herbs: Gotu Kola, Rhodiola Root, St. John’s Wort, Ashwagandha, Lemon Balm Leaf, Gingko Leaf, and Eleuthero Root.
This supplement is designed to relieve symptoms of depression (and anxiety).
As always, talk to your health care provider before taking any vitamin or supplement.
7. WALK YOUR DOGS
Not only do walks actually get you outside, but they make your dogs so incredibly happy.
And seeing them happy will automatically make you happier.
Just watch their tails sway from side to side. Watch them take in the Earth and all their glorious surroundings.
You might learn a thing or two about life in the process.
If you can’t find the motivation to walk them, try to at least spend time with them.
How pets help depression:
8. TAKE NATURE SHOTS
Another way to get you outside is to take pictures of the world outside.
The majority of the time our depression makes us stay inside.
But it’s vital to our health to get some sunshine.
Grab your camera — or even your smartphone — and just snap pictures at anything that grabs your attention.
Feel the breeze and embrace your surroundings.
The world is beautiful, and it’s meant to be captured.
Try Light Therapy
If you can’t get outside, I highly recommend getting a light therapy lamp.
When I first started hearing about light therapy lamps about a few years ago, I was intrigued.
I wondered if there was any science to it, or if it was just some sort of placebo effect.
Within the first week of getting my HappyLight Therapy Light, I saw an increase in my energy levels and mood.
I even got to sleep earlier at night than usual (which is around 2 am)!
Now, I love it so much that any day I’m feeling low, I turn it on for about 30 minutes.
Benefits of Light Therapy:
⭐ Mood: Light therapy improves mood by triggering the release of serotonin.
⭐ Focus: Full spectrum light provides signals in your body to help you relax, focus, and feel revitalized.
⭐ Energy: Studies found that light therapy lamps combat tiredness associated with the winter blues.
⭐Sleep: Light therapy improves sleep by resetting your circadian rhythm to its natural state and regulating melatonin.
More on therapy lamps:
9. KEEP PLANTS AROUND
Plants are magical things.
They help clean our air and our lungs.
They also keep us more motivated, because we have to tend and care for them.
The best part…plants help make our rooms feel more alive.
If you’re on a budget, IKEA always has super affordable plants indoor plants.
10. PLAY VIDEO GAMES
There’s a huge reputation that video games are bad for us.
They’re bad for society. They create more violent people.
But do you know just how many different types of video games there are?
Playing video games can actually help us more than they can hurt us.
They create a distraction from our negative thoughts by increasing our concentration.
They take us away from all the bad things swimming in our heads.
It’s very motivating.
Related posts on video games:
- Why Video Games are Good for Our Mental Health
- My 10 Favorite Computer Games to Help Your Mental Health
- Best PlayStation Games for Your Mental Health
11. WATCH DISNEY MOVIES
Disney movies always make me feel happy and more calm.
I used to watch them all the time when I was a kid.
This was before depression and other mental illnesses began to control my life.
It might be an association thing, but happy memories often lead to happy feelings.
If Disney isn’t your thing, what other types of movies did you use to watch?
On a completely different side of the coin, I also find that horror movies help my depression.
More on movies and depression:
- Why Disney Movies Help Fight My Depression
- Why Horror Movies Help Fight My Depression
- 12 Uplifting Movies for Depression
12. MAKE CHILDHOOD TREATS
Oh s’mores.
What another great childhood memory.
I just remember my childhood spending time at a camping resort with my extended family.
We would sit around a campfire, roast marshmallows, and enjoy the presence of each other.
Relieving memories like that always helps me get out of my head.
If you don’t eat gelatin like me, you can buy these vegan marshmallows, which are absolutely amazing and taste exactly like the real thing.
13. DO IT YOURSELF
There’s something about being creative while putting your body to work that greatly decreases the symptoms of depression.
Spend a few hours at Home Depot looking at paint colors and different types of hardware.
Go to different thrift stores and pick out some decorative knick-knacks. Refinish old furniture.
Let your creativity run wild.
Even if you never actually start your project, envisioning it is so worth it.
Related post on DIY projects:
14. VOLUNTEER
Volunteering helps us focus on the things we have versus the things we don’t have.
Giving back always feels good, and people with depression need as much feel-good hormones as we can get.
Love animals? Volunteer at an animal shelter.
People person? Volunteer at your local food pantry.
There’s volunteer work for everyone.
Find your calling and see how much better you feel afterward.
Here’s a reminder to not put too much pressure on yourself.
Let things come naturally, and don’t overthink your healing.
Help Depression Without Medication
Mayo Clinic says that getting help for depression when you first recognize its symptoms helps prevent your depression from worsening.
For a variety of reasons, medication might not be accessible for everyone in treating their depression.
The 10 activities featured on this list won’t cure your depression, but they sure might help you feel happier.
What weird things do you do to help fight your depression without medication?
Related posts on depression:
- 10 Things That are Making Your Depression Worse
- 6 Things I Accomplish Every Day Despite My Depression
- 7 Weird Ways to Fight Loneliness
Did you know that there is affordable online therapy?
Online Therapy is a complete online therapy toolbox.
Your therapy toolbox includes:
- Live video, voice, or text chat session with your therapist
- 8 easy-to-follow sections, including 25 worksheets
- Activity plan, journal, and tests
- Yoga and meditation videos
What I love about Online Therapy is that there are several life-changing options and therapists available, and you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your home.
This means you never need to worry before getting help.
Get 20% off your first month with my exclusive link.
