While unfortunate, mental health issues are common in people across the globe. In the US alone, eighteen percent of people experience a mental health problem of some kind each year. And the pandemic has only added to the alarming statistic. As per a report, the rate of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues increased during the pandemic.
While medical treatments and medications are available for mental health issues, you don’t have to rely on them completely. You can try out an alternative, natural remedies that can help skip visits to the doctor’s office. It will also help save money spent on expensive treatments. Here are six natural ways to treat mental health issues like depression and anxiety at home easily.
Meditation
Today, many people experience stress due to their profession and high-risk jobs such as doctors, police officers, medical office contractors, business people, CTOs, and CEOs. It has been proven that meditation can help reduce stress, anxiety, and other symptoms of mental health issues. Meditation helps improve attention and focus their thoughts on the present moment. Practicing meditation for even ten minutes a day can bring positive changes in one’s life.
There are various forms of meditation techniques that you can choose from, such as guided meditation, practicing mindfulness, and transcendental meditation. You can easily get guidance and follow a meditation technique online.
Exercising
Exercising is usually associated with improving one’s physical health. But it can also help improve mental health as well. Exercise can help burn off anxious energy and pumps up endorphins to improve your mood. A study found that half an hour of aerobic exercise can help relieve symptoms of depression.
It’s not just aerobics. Any form of exercise such as weight training, Pilates, and swimming can help reduce stress and other symptoms of depression. Just find an activity that is best suited for you and stick to a schedule. You can choose to exercise daily or three to four times a week, depending on your preferences.
Sleeping
Not getting enough sleep or an irregular sleep cycle can lead to mental health issues. Health experts recommend seven to nine hours of daily sleep. But as per a study, US citizens don’t get the recommended amount of sleep daily.
Making lifestyle changes can help people get the recommended amount of sleep daily. For instance, not eating two hours before going to sleep, cutting down on mobile and computer usage at night, and having a dark, quiet bedroom can improve sleep. This will help fall asleep faster, improve the sleep quality, also lead to a fixed sleeping schedule. All this will lead to reduced stress, depression, and other mental health issues.
Talking It Out
Sometimes, the simple act of talking about things that are worrying you can help reduce stress. You don’t even need to hire professional counselors or therapists for the same. You can share things that are causing you stress with a family member, a close confidante, or a trusted friend. They can offer you emotional support to cope with your issues and even provide valuable advice to help overcome the problems causing you mental and emotional trauma.
Spending Time with Animals
Your furry friends can help you overcome various mental health issues. Pets offer unconditional love, support, and companionship. Many people already own a pet, such as a dog or a cat. If you are facing issues with anxiety or depression, spend some time with your pets the next time.
As per research conducted in 2018, it was proved that spending time with pets helped alleviate mental health issues, including anxiety. Similarly, another research showed that spending time with horses can reduce anxiety and stress associated with trauma.
Music Therapy
Music therapy is a method that involves having sessions with a qualified music therapist. They may help improve mood through emotional expression through music. The therapist might recommend listening to certain music that can help you relax and feel positive and calm. Sometimes, it also involves singing as a form of therapy.
Music therapy has been shown to reduce symptoms related to depression and anxiety while also improving daily functioning such as jobs and relationships.
These simple steps can significantly help reduce symptoms with mental health issues. In addition to these methods, there are other natural ways such as using herbal tea and supplements, CBD oil, aromatherapy, writing, having a balanced, nutritious diet, and acupuncture therapy that can help treat mental health issues. However, if the condition doesn’t improve with these methods, you should seek professional medical help quickly.
