Struggle with mild depression? Relief is in sight

Mild to moderate depression is an incredibly common condition in our world, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Second: Real, practical, and effective help is available.

I am by nature a happy and optimistic person. But without a doubt, there have been seasons in my life when I’ve struggled with depression—the kind of melancholy that made me want to sleep all day and wonder if I’d ever feel happy again.

Each time, I could never really pinpoint the cause (postpartum blues? wintertime seasonal affective disorder from too little sunlight? natural hormone shifts as I approached menopause?) but I do know that these episodes weren’t due to a failure in my personality or attitude. My body was out of whack, and my mood took the hit.

If that sounds familiar, let me first say: You’re not alone. Mild to moderate depression is an incredibly common condition in our world, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Second: Real, practical, and effective help is available, whether it’s a great therapist, wisely administered medication, or, particularly for mild forms of depression, natural strategies and supplements outlined by holistic physician and Delicious Living advisory board member Tieraona Low Dog, MD (entitled “Clear the Clouds” in our November issue). In fact, any combination of these things could be a pathway to a healthier, lighter spirit.

I’ve been lucky: For me, prioritizing rest and exercise, upping my omega-3 intake, cultivating deep relationships with my husband and friends, and taking aptly named Natural Calm (magnesium citrate) every night keeps me in balance most of the time. But every brain and body is unique, so please, if this reflects your situation (or if you battle something more serious), don’t suffer in silence: Consult a trusted and compassionate health professional and use every tool at your disposal to loosen depression’s grip. Trust me: There’s light on the other side.