A Guide to Natural Mood Enhancement

Many of us have experienced the symptoms of depression and feelings of "the doldrums." When these feelings are present and you just don't seem to have motivation or interest in anything but it is not so bad as to take over your regular life, you may want to consider the safe and natural methods for relieving this sort of pressure.

Prescription medications for depression and anxiety can be dangerous and their side-effects are often worse than the illness itself. They are only recommended in severe cases when the depression is affecting your ability to cope and maintain your everyday lifestyle. If you have a severe case, you should always see your doctor. If your case is mild, like many, these natural remedies may be your answer.

The first thing to remember is that depression or depressive symptoms are often the result of a bad diet. Irregular eating and over-eating are often the primary culprits. By eating 3 balanced meals every day at regular intervals, your body will begin to work how it was meant to. Digestion will progress throughout the day and by making sure you have portions of proteins, vegetables, and fruits, your body will receive the nutrition it needs. Find a good, balanced diet and stick to it.

The next leading cause of depressive moods is a lack of exercise. Lack of exercise and laziness will create depression because you feel like you cannot achieve anything and your body is reacting to not having a regular workout. Plan a daily routine that works in your situation. Simply walking a couple miles every morning or evening will work wonders on your mood levels. It is not always necessary to join a gym, but if that is what it will take to motivate you, then go for it. I recommend yoga. Practice yoga for at least one hour every day and you will increase your mood levels by providing your body with the exercise it needs, while providing your mind a period of relaxation that will rest in your overall spirit.

Natural supplements may help also to elevate your mood. It has been found that most people suffering from depression have a lack of B-complex vitamins. Take a B-100 complex vitamin daily to make sure you are not deficient. A balanced multi-vitamin and mineral may also be required.

Just as a lack of vitamin B is found in depressives, a lack of magnesium is also found in patients with mental disorders overall. A good supplement to take care of this is a multi-vitamin that contains Magnesium, Zinc and Calcium. The magnesium-zinc combination will maintain your levels of these necessary minerals.

Other supplements that are worth looking into are St. Johns Wort. These come in gel caps filled with the powdered herb. Take the supplement as recommended on the package. St. Johns Wort has been shown to increase mood levels. However, care must be taken because it can have a negative interaction with other prescription medications, most notably MAO inhibitors such as Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft.

You may also want to try out a Sam-e supplement. This herbal supplement is shown to enhance natural neuro-transmitter mechanisms in the body. Sam-e is very safe and has passed some very positive trials. Also consider 5-HTP. Taken before sleep, 5-HTP is an herbal supplement that helps the body regulate serotonin levels.

By following this combination of natural methods of relieving depression and depressive mood symptoms, you may very well avert yourself from the dangerous path of beginning a prescription medication. Remember to always consult your doctor before taking any herbal or vitamin supplements.