Natural Remedies for Stress Relief

January 23, 2020

Natural Remedies for Stress Relief

Stress happens to all of us. Your body is designed to handle brief periods of stress from time to time. But too much isn’t good for body or soul. When you're under stress often, or you don't have the resources to handle it, that's bad for you, especially if it leads to smoking, heavy drinking, overeating, or insomnia.

Take control of the stress naturally with these tips:

Add some de-stressors

  • Chamomile tea is well known for its healing properties. Today, herbalists and naturopathic doctors praise chamo­mile as a wonderful remedy for stress. One or two cups a day should help.
  • You can also add chamomile, along with other calming herbs such as jasmine, lavender and valerian, to bathwater for a nerve-soothing soak. Both the dried herbs and essential oils would serve well.
  • Get more Vitamin C. There is a study which shows that under-pressure people who took 1,000 milligrams of C had milder increases in blood pressure and brought their stress hormone levels back to normal more quickly than people who didn’t take it.

Hit stress with your mind

  • The relaxation response has been clinically proven to short-circuit stress. It’s very helpful to take a breathing break. Sit in a comfortable position, set everything else aside, and just be still for a few minutes. You'll have thoughts, but let them come and go.
  • Research has found that music can reduce heart rate, blood pressure, and even levels of stress hormones in the blood. Take a break and listen to music you find soothing, whether it’s classical, jazz, or something else.

Take steps to prevent stress

  • Get enough sleep. Get 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night. When you're rested, you'll handle stress better.
  • Get out for a walk or do some other form of exercise for at least 20 minutes, three times a week. Exercise boosts feel-good brain chemicals called endorphins, which lift your mood and make you feel less anxious.
  • Eat well. Choose foods that are good for you. High-fat comfort foods won't fix the problem.  Limit your consumption of alcohol, caffeine, and sugar; and if you smoke, quit. All of these substances can fire up your body’s fight-or-flight response, contributing to physical symptoms of stress like a racing heart, trembling, clammy hands, anxiety, and irritability.
  • Take up a calming hobby. Knitting, working on puzzles, reading, or some other favorite pastime can help you take a breather from the stresses of life.