How to Improve Mental Health With Safe and Natural Methods

With the increase in stress, depression, dementia, etc. in our society today how we work to improve mental health is important. We quickly look for prescription drugs and other similar methods to solve this problem. But there are often serious side effects from those methods. Are there natural and safe methods that can help? Yes, but you have to be willing to implement them.

We are a society of quick fixes, but sometimes things don't always resolve that easily. To get mental health help can be challenging and sometimes frustrating for those suffering from issues like depression or dementia. Stress is another one that no matter how much we talk about it as a society, we still can't seem to get it under control.

People quickly turn to doctors and therapists to improve mental health. There is some value in this and counseling can be wonderful in helping people resolve buried issues, but there seems to be a tendency to rely on things like drugs to combat these issues. However, this usually only deals with symptoms and not root causes which are not the most beneficial thing. The side effects of drugs and other similar methods are also problematic. Sleep issues, nausea, sexual issues can all come as a result of using various prescription drugs making them almost as bad as what they are supposed to cure.

Even if therapy, drugs, etc. work the cost can be quite high. While there are a time and place for these things in dealing with mental illness, the issue is really their overuse when perhaps other more basic methods could help.

I'm amazed at the number of people who are willing to take the time and the expense of going to therapy to get mental health help for stress and depression, but who claim they don't have time and/or money to exercise. While that may be true regarding money if insurance is covering the therapy, that still doesn't account for the time.

However, numerous studies have shown that exercise is a powerful tool in reducing stress and its effect on the body. It also has been shown to improve mental health for those with mild to moderate forms of depression. It really doesn't take any more time to do this than it does going to the shrink but has all sorts of other benefits for the body as well. Longer life, reduced risk of heart disease, cancer, dementia and Alzheimer's are just some of the possible benefits of regular exercise.

Diet is another area that can be a tremendous mental health help. We all are aware of the importance of diet on heart health and cancer, but it also plays a huge role in our mental state. Even making some of the changes necessary for your heart will help. Reducing bad fats, getting more Omega 3 fatty acids from fish, increasing fruits and vegetables, getting more B complex vitamins, Vitamin E, etc. all work to improve mental health.

The ability of your brain to function properly and cope with stress, depression, etc. depends on getting the proper amounts of these nutrients. Our diets are usually insufficient to get us what our bodies and minds need. In fact, we tend to be heavy on fats, sugars, and carbs which in some cases can actually make symptoms worse for people already struggling with these issues.

Both of these areas mentioned are natural, safe and can have a definite impact on mental health. The issue is really more one of motivation and education than time or money. However, changes in these areas can help and may even keep people from needing to spend time and money on more expensive and potentially dangerous treatments like drugs.

Finally, one of the more interesting tools available for mental health help is that of supplements. Many are familiar with supplements for joints or fighting colds, etc. Increasingly more people are using natural herbs to combat common issues like those just mentioned. However, not everyone knows (or believes) that there are valid supplements out there that can have a significant impact on your mental health.

Supplements that contain Ginkgo, Ginseng, Bacopin, Vinpocetine, huperzine A and Gotu Kola have been shown to improve cognitive function, improve mood, reduce stress effects and a host of other effects on the brain. Some of these herbs even gave prescription drugs a run for their money in recent studies on stress and depression. Yet they have relatively few side effects or issues compared with drugs. They also tend to offer a range of benefits as opposed to drugs which tend to target a specific issue.

There are safe, natural and effective means for fighting stress, depression, dementia, and other mental ailments. The ability to improve mental health through these methods has been tested and retested. However, you need to be willing and motivated to use them and follow-through with them to better mental health.