Stress can have a profound impact on your life. Calming your stress and anxiousness is the ultimate goal. Health solutions can be beneficial, but if you prefer to take a more natural route, there are options that could help you.
Supplements
There are certain supplements that may be beneficial for stress, and some of these have been used for centuries:
- Ashwagandha: May relieve stress to improve anxiousness.
- Kava root: A review of seven trials concluded that this herb may help calm
- CBD: A non-hallucinogenic compound derived from cannabis. Helpful for anxiety as well as sleep. May also have other benefits.
- 5-HTP: Synthesized from the amino acid tryptophan, this supplement helps to reduce several issues from stress, including moodiness, difficulty sleeping and head tension.
- Magnesium: This is a mineral that is critical for overall health. It plays an integral role in calming the nervous system and relaxing your muscles.
Your Diet
Studies show that anxiety is a form of mental illness or is at least a side effect of it. To better your chances of managing your anxiety and mental issues now and in the future, you need to establish a brain-healthy diet. It is essential that you are getting sufficient calories without getting too much. Research shows that too few or too many calories may increase your stress. It is also important to limit sugar. Preliminary analysis has associated excessive sugar and carbohydrate consumption with a higher risk for anxious feelings. In addition, usage of supplements and other natural remedies can also help make you feel more relaxed when added to your daily eating habits. For example, vitamin D and melatonin can be highly beneficial to help you get some sleep if your stress is causing you to stay awake too long. On the other hand, some natural remedies like CBD oil can help improve memory and cognitive function (especially in Alzheimer’s patients), which might help with your ability to handle the issues in your life that cause stress. What you put into your body can signifcantly improve or decrease your standard of life, and thus, your stress levels. Be mindful of you eat!
Essential Oils and Aromatherapy
There are several oils that may help to calm and relax. Lavender oil may help with head tension, nervousness and muscle tension. Roman chamomile oil is also commonly used since it produces relaxation. Other oils that may reduce anxiousness include: rose oil, vetiver oil, ylang ylang oil, bergamot oil, and frankincense oil.
Meditation
Guided meditation is ideal for beginners because there are numerous free resources you can find on the internet to learn and practice it. Simply follow the steps or instructions given by the practitioner on a video, recording or podcast. Concentrate on what the practitioner is saying and completely immerse yourself in this calm state.
Deep Breathing
This is a relatively simple technique that you can do anywhere. This can be beneficial because you cannot be anxious when you are focusing on breathing deeply. To use this method, exhale completely via your mouth. Then, for four seconds, breathe in through your nose, hold your breath for seven seconds and then slowly exhale via your mouth for eight seconds.
If you are taking medications, talk to your doctor before incorporating natural remedies to ensure safety. You should also make note of how you are using them and when to see which natural remedies are most effective for you.
Resources
Are doTERRA Oils the Cure for Anxiety? | The New Yorker
Ketogenic Diet Programs Brain Structure | Brain and Behavior
Does Cannabidiol Improve Quality of Life for Alzheimer’s Patients? | The CBD Insider
How Does Meditation Reduce Stress | Mindworks
Improve Memory With Brain Healthy Foods | Assisted Living Center