When you’ve lived with depression, as thousands of us do, you’ve already tried all the helpful suggestions of friends and family members. Yet, the struggle continues.
Many people, like you, with mental health disorders like depression, think they have to learn to live with it. They create coping mechanisms to get through each day.
But what if there was a way to fight depression that you haven’t tried yet? An unusual method outside of the “tried-and-true” suggestions?
You might be surprised to hear these things are excellent ways to combat your symptoms when depression kicks in. Knowing them can help you maximize your good periods and let you start enjoying life more once again.
1. Magnetic Head Rubs
We’re summarizing here, but there’s a treatment that does just that. The official term is transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
TMS is an in-office medical treatment where a machine pulses beams of magnetic energy into your brain. It’s FDA-approved to treat depression that has failed to respond to medication, but you may be able to get TMS even if you choose to skip the prescription med route.
Some studies show that TMS may work better than meds, and it’s all-natural. There are no known side effects, and it can be prescribed alongside medication. The only drawback is that you need to go to the office to get the treatment, which may be multiple times per week.
The closest facility that offers TMS near you could be a hospital setting, and the costs there add up fast. Check your insurance policy to see if your coverage includes TMS treatment.
2. Medical Marijuana
The stigma of smoking weed is quickly disappearing, but you don’t have to inhale a joint to get the benefits of cannabis. Medical marijuana (MMJ) comes in various forms now, including edibles and topicals.
Depression is one of the main qualifying conditions for MMJ. If you already have an official diagnosis from your doctor, you can take that information to a physician licensed to prescribe medical cannabis. From there, you fill out the proper forms with the government and head to a dispensary near you to get your medication.
The dispensary workers can answer all your questions and help you choose the best MMJ style for your needs. They’ll give you tips on storing your weed to keep it fresh, watching dosages, and preventing side effects.
3. Probiotics
Did you know that, contrary to everyone telling you your symptoms are in your brain, your depression might be coming from your gut?
Yes, gut health greatly affects the hormones our brains create. When there’s an imbalance in the bacteria in your stomach, it directly impacts how you feel. This connection is called the gut-brain axis.
One study compared young adults without mood disorders. Half the group took probiotics for four weeks, and the other half did not. Those who took them were less likely to be aggressive or anxious than those who did not take the probiotics.
The conclusion?
Probiotics balance the gut bacteria, controlling the hormone production in our brains. They can be preventive therapy for people with depression.
Consider your daily diet. If you’re not getting all the vitamins and minerals your body needs, or if you’re eating anything that isn’t completely natural (which is most of us), probiotic treatment could be the solution you’ve been missing.
4. Bouldering
Are you up for an adventure that pushes you out of your comfort zone without too much risk? Bouldering gives you the adrenaline rush you’re looking for, and it’s what the doctor ordered to help reduce depression.
Similar to rock climbing, bouldering involves scaling large rocks but takes the height out of the equation. It requires concentration and precision detail, which doesn’t leave you much time to think about your problems.
People with depression who have used climbing therapy weekly for a few hours often show significant improvement in their symptoms. You don’t have to be an adrenaline junkie to appreciate the exhilaration of bouldering. Between the focus and the fresh air, the activity improves your physical health and could be what you need to boost your mental fitness, too.
Conclusion
Living with depression isn’t easy, and no one chooses that lifestyle. But when the typical methods of treatment don’t work, it can feel like you have no other options.
Don’t give up, though. There are more unusual ways to handle your mental health with care, like these four lesser-known possible solutions.