Depression is a mental health condition that can affect anyone at any time based on several factors. But there isn’t just one method to tackle its effects. Yes, therapy and medications can help tackle the symptoms. However, you can also tackle depression by making certain changes in everyday life. Here are five ways to overcome depression naturally.

1. Maintain good sleep hygiene
A person who does not get enough sleep will find that their mood gets affected, making them irritable and causing depression. So maintaining good sleep hygiene, such as sleeping and waking up on time, a peaceful bedroom, a relaxing bedtime routine, and reduced screen time before bed will significantly reduce any chance of depression. Here’s another tip, light helps regulate sleep cycles, so make sure you get a little natural sunshine in the morning to balance sleep cycles and circadian rhythms.

2. Discipline your mind
When fighting depression, you need to understand that a lot of the natural treatment is based on your thoughts. Depression can bring about several negative thoughts, which only make the symptoms worse. These can make you feel like you’re the cause of all the problems, even if there are no problems, to begin with. It is up to you to reason with those thoughts with logic and discipline your mind.

3. Keep yourself entertained
Depression may encourage you to give up responsibilities and recede from social activities, adding fuel to the fire and making the condition worse. Instead, look for a new hobby at home, or sign up for classes to keep yourself occupied. You may also want to consider volunteering for certain social activities to help others or the environment. Keep yourself entertained at all times. And have fun while you’re at it. It will keep your mind active and reduce the effects of depression.

4. Maintain a healthy diet
The food you eat can also determine your mood. Hence, it is crucial to maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet, rich in nutrients and low in saturated fats. Foods that can help regulate depression include fish, probiotics, and nuts. However, before making any changes to your diet, you may want to contact a dietitian or nutritionist, who will analyze your current eating habits and determine a viable diet plan.

5. Refrain from alcohol
Consuming alcohol may seem like a stress-buster, but in reality, it makes things worse. It is also considered a source of depression. Consuming alcohol can disrupt your sleep quality. The chemicals present in the drink can also lead to unstable behavior, resulting in long-term sad consequences. If there’s a chance you have been drinking excessively, we recommend seeking help from family and friends or getting in touch with a doctor.