When it comes to relieving stress, most of us need a little help. Whether you practice daily meditation, take brisk walks, or engage in friendly conversation, there are many forms of relief that don’t require a pharmaceutical drug or a visit to a psychiatrist’s office. However, many conventional and alternative anxiety reduction treatments can make you feel drowsy and even fatigued. The following suggestions are natural therapies that can help you stay focused and energized while encouraging you to let go of the stresses that commonly overwhelm you mentally, physically, and emotionally. These options can help improve your mood, ease anxiety, and boost immunity while keeping your mind sharp and energy stable throughout the day.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is a plant that has been traditionally used around the world as a herbal remedy to treat inflammation, fight infection, improve immunity, improve memory, and promote general well-being. Ashwagandha is one of the most appreciated and commonly used adaptogens by Ayurvedic healers. Adaptogens are a special class of botanicals that help balance your system for optimal energy during stressful periods. Ashwaganda helps the body resist stress and maintain vital mental and physical energy throughout the day, while promoting restful sleep at night. Its ability to reduce anxiety, relieve restlessness, and stabilize mood is highly valued by many herbalists.
Holy Basil (Tulsi)
Holy basil is an herb native to India, where it is known as Tulsi, and has been shown to decrease the stress hormone cortisol. Studies have shown that high cortisol levels cause the mind and body to suspend rest and repair operations, ultimately contributing to long-term wear and tear and a variety of stress-related illnesses. Holy basil also works as an adaptogen, naturally enhancing the body’s response to physical and emotional stress during periods of high anxiety and physical exhaustion. Taking a holy basil herbal supplement or drinking Tulsi tea can help stabilize the brain’s serotonin and dopamine levels to calm and relax you without making you drowsy. Holy Basil also helps balance blood sugar and cholesterol, as well as providing a rich source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.
Vitamins B
We all know how important B vitamins are to metabolic and immune health. Additionally, research shows that healthy levels of B vitamins, particularly B6, B9, and B12, can also contribute to the reduction of anxiety and depression and help increase energy. Whether you supplement your diet with these essential B vitamins or get them through foods like dairy, lean meats, fish, poultry, nuts, and eggs, they can have a direct impact on your brain’s serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine levels. . Evidence shows that B vitamins help balance and metabolize neurotoxic chemicals that are associated with certain psychological conditions such as anxiety and depression. There are a number of B vitamins that effectively benefit your mental health, including vitamin B1 (thiamine), which can improve mood, memory, and energy levels. Additionally, studies have shown that vitamin B6 (pyridoxine HCL), combined with other B vitamins, can reduce levels of the toxic amino acid homocysteine and has a direct effect on the neurotransmitters GABA and serotonin. This combination can reduce feelings of anger, anxiety, despair, and depression. When taking B vitamins, it is essential to also take minerals such as zinc and trace elements.
Green tea (EGCG)
A Japanese study examined the effects of green tea consumption in 1,058 healthy people over the age of 70 and concluded that regardless of lifestyle and social factors, older men and women who drank four or more cups of green tea a day had 44 percent less likely to have symptoms of depression than those who drank just one cup a day or less. What these researchers and many others examining the effects of green tea have discovered is that L-theanine could be the component responsible for the potential antidepressant effects of green tea. L-Theanine is a calming amino acid known to reduce physical and mental stress and enhance critical neurotransmitter activity. Green tea is also abundant in a class of phytochemicals called polyphenols, including the powerful antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which contributes to increased alpha wave activity in the brain. Alpha waves are associated with a relaxed but awake state, so EGCG along with L-theanine, which is also found in green tea, promote a state of “alert relaxation.” High levels of caffeine can have the opposite result, so remember to choose a decaffeinated green tea to avoid overstimulation and anxiety-promoting (anxiety-promoting) effects.
Yoga and Tai Chi
Herbs and natural supplements can make a difference in helping reduce stress, but for many, these remedies are only half the equation. Several people also rely on physical activity to relieve stress and reduce anxiety. Some of the best-researched stress relief exercises include yoga and tai chi, which have been shown to dramatically reduce stress levels and provide true empowerment to those who practice these ancient art forms. Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice to develop strength, awareness, and awareness, while increasing the senses and intuition. Yoga aims to relax and rejuvenate, but it is also invigorating, as constantly moving poses work to release latent energy in your body. Similarly, tai chi is a Chinese martial art that is designed to help achieve a state of calm and clarity of mind. The strategic breathing involved in both yoga and tai chi naturally increases energy levels, while poses and meditation keep your mind, body, and spirit focused and grounded. The exercises create a platform for spiritual connection that allows you to let go of your anxieties and refocus your energy on positive thoughts and feelings.
Meditation
Another well-researched method, and my personal favorite, for relieving stress and improving energy and concentration is the practice of meditation. A simple 10 minute daily meditation session can offer significant improvements in your mood and energy levels. In fact, published studies show that simple meditation when practiced daily is more effective than antidepressants in improving mental, physical, and emotional well-being. More and more peer-reviewed research on meditation confirms that it is a viable method for improving health and emotional well-being, helping with anxiety, depression, mental imbalances, and more.
While there are countless styles of meditation practice, one of the most profound is the ancient Tibetan practice of Shamatha meditation. Shamatha means “to remain calm” in Sanskrit. This meditation is intended to allow the mind’s natural state of calm and clarity to be accessed by focusing the breath on a specific object and letting all other thoughts rise and fall as the attention turns to the breath. As you practice, the space between thoughts becomes larger and deeper, allowing you to allow room for your true inner nature of love, peace, and tranquility to emerge and expand. The health benefits of this expanded experience are numerous and well documented. Most of the time they are characterized by greater mental and emotional stability, and a balance and strengthening of physical energy. The more meditation is practiced over time, the more profound the benefits and results will be, so I encourage everyone to try this ancient and simple method that has been proven effective for thousands of years in reducing stress and improving mental health. , emotional and physical, at no cost to you. anything. That’s a relief! For more information and tips on health and wellness, visit http://www.dreliaz.org.
