When looking for a natural treatment for depression many people turn to relaxation techniques. The relaxation response is well documented and can target a number of the symptoms of depression. For example, you can reduce your heart rate increased due to anxiety. You can improve your thinking and concentration. It’s possible to decrease elevated blood pressure. You can also use relaxation thoughts to pull you out of your negative thinking process so you don’t fall into a depressive state.
Relaxation as a natural treatment for depression can be practiced at home which makes it great self-help technique. You can reduce your anxiety and learn to identify and control stress in your life. You can increase your energy, sleep better and improve your ability to function in the real world. There are many techniques used to achieve relaxation response, and the goal is to develop your skills to the point where you can call upon this tool whenever you need it.
The natural treatment for depression that uses relaxation usually teaches a person how to achieve progressive muscle relaxation. This technique has been around for over 50 years and has been found to be effective for reducing total body tension. When you are experiencing depression, and your symptoms include problems with interpersonal relationships for example, your body responds to interactions by tensing. This only makes your depressive response worse. If you had a way to relieve the tension, then you could better able control your thoughts about yourself including your body.
With this technique you repeatedly tighten and tense muscles with the goal of going deeper with practice. As you tighten and tense muscles throughout your body, the entire body is relaxed. You can practice this at home on your own, attend instructional classes, or learn by watching a video on television or on the internet. It’s a great treatment option to combine with other treatments such as cognitive therapy. You can use this natural treatment for depression as a way to relax the body and clear the mind. It improves concentration while providing you a way to cope with stress.
The important point about this natural treatment for depression is to practice it regularly. You can’t do it a few weeks and then quit. You should practice it once a day as a minimum. As you get more practiced you can begin to add other features to your routine. For example, you can add meditation to your program. Or you can begin doing yoga and make the muscle relaxation routine a component of a larger program.
With practice, relaxation as a natural treatment for depression is effective. It’s actually something anyone can benefit from whether or not you’re experiencing depression.
