Natural Remedies for Anxiety and Depression?

I wonder how natural ways to help manage anxiety and depression are becoming well-known as scientific research improves on what causes the symptoms.

Is it fair to say that anxiety and depression could be the result of our fallen state? Our real self vs. our ideal self keep bumping into each other. We were created to be perfect and now we find ourselves in a imperfect world trying, to the best of our knowledge, to be perfect. But our imperfect minds don't know how to be perfect so we start judging ourselves and others, placing unrealistic expectations on ourselves, husband, kids, friends, family; telling ourselves that we should do this and that and be like so and so.

When we compare ourselves to others we lose because I compare my "true" self with your "front" self and I look bad. I don't know what is going through your head but I do know what is going through mine, and it isn't pretty. I have news for you, yours isn't pretty either!

Anyway, part of it is to realize that we are fellow strugglers, not super humans. Community brings reality to our expectations of all the "shoulds", "must" "ought", "have tos" that we place on ourselves and others. We need to go easy with one another and be kind and compassionate to ourselves.

Journaling is a great way to bring our thoughts captive. When one comes, I sit down and counter it with the truth of the situation and scripture. I compare it to how God really sees it vs. my distorted view. Once I understand it, I take action. I make a plan to make the situation better, I explain to myself that this is not true. I plan my finances, my kids education, my relationships, whatever brings the source of my discontent.

Taking action is a great depression- anxiety buster because we have a lot to do with our own happiness. Being connected to good friends is necessary to bring us back to center when we wander off. I am a firm believer on the power of small groups, support groups, any group that is open to share, not pretend everything is fine. Caution: it isn't that easy to find them, but when you do, it's a gift. Cloud and Townsend say "there is no healing in a vacuum." We need others.

Surrounding ourselves with scripture or short affirmations does wonders. Post-its all around your office, kitchen, bathroom mirror help to remember that the enemy comes to lie, steal and destroy us, but we are surrounded with truth.

These natural remedies for stress and anxiety and sometimes depression are found in the Bible.

I marvel that as science keeps advancing and finding "new" ways to cope, God had already said it in His Word. I would prescribe it once or twice daily for the rest of my life.

Anyone with depression should seek professional help as hormones, physical issues and/or clinical depression may be the cause among others.