It’s natural to feel depressed on occasion - it’s all part of the human experience.
Sometimes you’re happy for no reason, and sometimes you’re depressed. Left alone, it should pass.
But if your everyday experience is one of depression, it might be time to pay attention to what’s happening inside your body.
Disclaimer: I’m not a medical professional, and this is not medical advice. Always consult your doctor.
We assume feeling depressed is 100% due to external circumstance. X is causing me to feel Y. If that really is the case, it doesn’t explain why other people can be happy in worse circumstances.
Biologically, your feelings are a direct result of what’s happening inside your body. Happiness is your brain interpreting the release of endorphines, dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, or subsequent imbalances.
However, marketing messages have caused us to seek the wrong things in how to get over depression.
How To Get Over Depression
1. Exercise
This is one of the best kept secrets in the world. If people actually knew the link between exercise and getting over depression, the multi-billion dollar anti-depressant scam and quack psychiatry muggings would disappear overnight[1]:
Exercise is no more effective than antidepressants for reducing symptoms of depression, although this conclusion is based on a small number of studies.
Exercise is no more effective than psychological therapies for reducing symptoms of depression, although this conclusion is based on small number of studies.
Or put another way:
Exercise is equally as effective as antidepressants for reducing symptoms of depression, although this conclusion is based on a small number of studies.
Exercise is equally as effective as psychological therapies for reducing symptoms of depression, although this conclusion is based on small number of studies.
In other words, the answer to ‘how to get over depression’ could be a half hour’s run away.
Exercise does this by releasing endorphins which you feel as euphoria, usually accompanied by an energizing and positive outlook on life. Regular exercise reduces stress, boosts self-esteem, and wards off feelings of depression.
2. Eat less sugar
Impaired blood sugar control is linked with a multitude of negative symptoms, including depression.[2]
It also uses up the body’s vitamin and mineral stocks, especially mood-stabilising B vitamins, while providing none in return.
2. Juicing for Depression
Erroneous input causes erroneous output. Computer programmers understand this and have a simple term for it: Junk in, junk out.
We wrongly overlook this, when there are specific nutrients which have been found to be low in people suffering from depression, specifically Vitamin B9 (Folate), B6 and B12, and Omega-3.[3]
Omega 3 - found in oily fish, flax seeds, walnuts. Obviously non-juicing, but included here because it’s very important in combating depression.
Vitamin B9 (Folate) - found in dark leafy greens (Spinach, Kale).
Juice lots of spinach and kale? These juicers will yield twice as much juice from dark leafy greens, saving you money daily.
Vitamin B6 - found in Spinach, Asparagus, Red Bell Pepper.
Vitamin B12 (Cobalmin) - not found in vegetables, so use supplementation.
No juicer? This guide will help you choose the right one for your needs.
How To Get Over Depression with Juicing
Happy Juice
- 6 Carrots
- 3 handfuls Parsley
- 3 handfuls Spinach
- 4 Kale leaves
- 1 Red Bell Pepper
This recipe for how to get over depression with juicing is a suggestion - feel free to add or substitute other dark leafy greens. I also like to also use ginger for flavor.
Read Next: Best Natural Sleep Aid
Further Reading: Does Juicing Cure Depression and Make You Happier? over at Fit-Juice.com
—
Sources
[1] http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD004366/exercise-for-depression
[3] http://www.foodforthebrain.org/media/231110/Depression___The_Nutrition_Connectin.pdf
Photo credit: Tambako the Jaguar / Foter / CC BY-ND
NC says
Depression doesn’t always pass. Depression (and other mental troubles) can be caused by Lymes Disease and that isn’t cured by juicing. Do a search on the author Amy Tan and her bout with Lyme/Depression for an example. Go to a Lyme Literate MD, as detecting Lymes is not simple.
My bad - I’d forgotten the usual medical disclaimer. Post has been edited to include it.
janice mcglaun says
I have been suffering with mild depression and mood swings for 40 years. I started juicing 6 weeks ago, after just 3 weeks of juicing I could tell a difference in my moods. My husband has even commented on the difference. I don’t know what it is about juicing that caused it but I feel too go to quit.
Karley says
THANK YOU. After a year of trying many things and endless googling, I’ve managed to keep my depression under control with exercise (minimum twice a week-cardio necessary), juicing all kinds of vegetables a few times a week, and taking St. John’s wort (a natural herbal supplement used for depression) every night. All of these things together have changed my life. Posts like these have helped so much on my search. Thanks and good luck to everyone who is suffering.
W says
the water cure claims depression is almost always caused by chronic dehydration!!!! Drink half your ounces of weight in water daily with a dash of high quality sea salt. Example if you weigh 200pds drink 100ounces water daily throughout the day. Mostly vegetables and fruits are eaten but please look into this as it is claimed that depression and asthma and a number of illnesses basically don’t exist if we aren’t chronically dehydrated……they want no money just to get the word out…..google the water cure or watercure2.org I think…..best of luck to all with depression or any illness!!!
Mana Pool says
Correction on Lyme Disease: Gerson therapy the juicing section with recipes and suggestions for the proper NO PULP juicers can help with depression in anyone. Fact is when your body isn’t bogged down by todays standard of food, you will be happier after a few weeks with in the change over. I think doctors help instill depression with “Here take these pills for the rest of your life, they MAY make things easier” or even worse the doctor who do not believe Lyme disease is exist. That bums me out and I don’t have Lyme disease.
@ NC: read up on Gerson Therapy. And please seriously question any website/book/MD that says medication is the answer for most disease, and disorders. I have not done research on schizophrenia and mental issues vs. juicing BUT when my Cousin was a religious vegan/juicer her schizophrenia issues disappeared. Our grandfather passed and she changed he diet and is experiencing issues again.