With everything going on right now – a pandemic, working from home, political unrest – we are all stressed out.  I recently read an article that listed some natural remedies that help dealing with stress, and I felt it was worth sharing with our readers.

The Entrepreneur.com article lists the following six natural remedies that have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety:

1.       Rhodiola Rosea – This an herb that has been widely used by people in Scandinavia, Russia, and China that has been shown to reduce fatigue and increase energy. It also reduces anxiety in most people.  It affects the parasympathetic nervous system, which slows down our mental and physical processes.

2.       L-Theanine – This is found in many teas and promotes focus and calmness.  Studies have shown that L-theanine can also improve verbal fluency, executive function, and sleep.  It can be found in supplement form, but most people get it by drinking tea.

3.       CBD Oil – CBD is cannabidiol, a natural extract from cannabis. Keep in mind that this is much different than THC, the hallucinogenic part of the plant. CBD targets the endocannabinoid system of the human body, which is responsible for feelings of relaxation and exhilaration.

4.       Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Opposite of omega-6 fatty acids, which cause inflammation, Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation in the brain. Omega-3s can be found in fish oil commonly found in mackerel, salmon, herring, and oysters. It can also be taken in supplement form. Just make sure the supplement comes from fish oil; not vegetable oil.

5.       Essential Oils – Over the past several years essential oils have become very popular. Many are shown to reduce stress and promote relaxation, such as lavender, chamomile, and cedar wood. They have been shown to reduce heart rate, ease tension in the body, promote relaxation, and improve sleep. Essential oils can be used by smelling, burning, or diffusing them.  Be sure to get them from a reputable retailer than can advise you on safe usage.

6.       Vitamin D – This is the vitamin that comes from sunlight. When working inside all day, especially during the fall/winter months, a vitamin D deficiency can develop. This can lead to anxiety and stress.  While supplements might help, the recommendation is to get your vitamin D from the sunlight. Try to get outside for a minimum of just 10-20 minutes every day to get your dose of vitamin D.  After listening to a nutritionist at a conference last year, he spoke of the benefits of vitamin D and recommended that everyone should get their levels checked. I did, and my levels were very low. I think living in cloudy Michigan has something to do with it. I began taking the supplement (and making my husband take one) each day. Now my levels are in the normal range, and we haven’t been sick since we started taking them. (Knock on wood.) 

Have you tried any of these natural remedies or do you have another one you recommend?  I’d love to hear from you.  Email me at [email protected].