Depression is a serious illness caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. There are many conventional treatments for this condition but sometimes the treatment can be almost as bad as suffering from the disease due to a high risk of side effects from the anti-depression medications that are most commonly prescribed.

If you’d like to try another route or an additional route to treat your depression, here are some alternative therapies you might like to try.

To find out exactly what type and severity of depression you are suffering from, see a doctor. They can also discuss with you alternative treatments if prescription drugs are not the route you want to take right now. Here are some of the alternative treatments available:

* St. John’s Wort – This herb has been used for years by people who have mild depression or even seasonal affective disorder (SAD) as a result of a lack of sunlight during the winter months if you live in thei upper parts of the northern hemisphere.

The properties of this herb are said to help soothe the mind and create a feeling much like when endorphins are released in the brain. Before you use it, ask your doctor about dosage and if taking it will interfere with any of your current medications. In may cases it can enhance the effects of the antidepressants you are already taking so be extra cautious with this herb.

* Massage therapy – The basis behind many massage techniques is that there is a blocked chi, or life force. This can occur because of stress, lack of sleep and other environmental factors. When the site of the blockage is discovered, the use of pressure and gentle movement can unblock the flow of life energy to help the body restore itself to health. A massage therapist can recommend the best type for you depending on your overall health and your depressive symptoms. Touch can also be soothing and promote better circulation.

* Physical activity – There are many benefits to exercise besides simply weight loss. When you get moving, you increase your intake of oxygen and also learn to utilize it more efficiently. Exercise doesn’t have to be hard or boring. Exercise also releases endorphins to help elevate your mood. More oxygen helps you to think more clearly and concentrate better. More physical activity will help you sleep better throughout the night.

* Acupuncture – This operates on the same principle as massage therapy. Using a map of the body’s energy junctions, these sterile needles can be used at certain points to restore balance to the body. They can also produce endorphins for mood enhancement.

* Yoga – A mind-body connection is built and maintained when you start this spiritual practice from ancient India. You can exercise control over your feelings and how you respond to stress, which can decrease incidence of depression. The special breathing exercises an help clear your mind and strengthen your body and immune system so that you feel more energized and less run down.

Are you trying to recover from depression but don’t want the side effects that come with some anti-depressive medications? Discuss these alternative therapies with your doctor to see if any of them will help lift your mood the all-natural way.