Alternative remedies that are virtually free in terms of cost consist of diet, exercise, and some sort of “food” for the soul. These can be extremely beneficial in helping to treat and even prevent depression.

Diet

Much is made about eating healthy. Eating too many sugar-loaded foods and caffeinated beverages can cause a child to become irritable and his mood can become unstable. Food allergies can also cause mood swings. But can you force your child to change his diet? It may seem impossible, but the sooner you help your child develop healthy eating patterns, the better. With a teenager, educate him about how food affects mood and what he can do if he is willing to give it a shot.

Exercise

It's not exactly news that exercise is good for the mood and general health. But how do you get your child to exercise? Try to involve him in group activities such as a team or some sort of lessons, like tennis, where other kids are also exercising. Appeal to his talents. If he likes to swim, get him on a swim team or find a pool where he can regularly exercise.

Also, set a good example! Studies show that children whose parents regularly exercise are more likely to adopt that healthy habit.

Spirituality

Spirituality is a broad term and means many things to many people. Spirituality has been found to have a calming effect on depression. Activities such as meditation, prayer, or quiet time can provide your child with an inner strength that will benefit her all her life.