We all experience stress in some form in our day-to-day lives. Several factors such as job losses, relationship issues, health conditions, and other life stressors affect almost everyone. In these times of Covid pandemic, these stressors have been further amplified. But, do we realize that chronic stress and anxiety can play havoc not only on our physical wellbeing but also our mental states? Long-term stress can cause heart-related ailments, thyroid malfunction, hypertension, diabetes, gastric issues, etc. In the United States, more than 40 million people suffer stress and anxiety-related conditions each year.
Through this article, we bring you various natural home remedies that can help you relieve stress and anxiety.
Home Remedies For Stress
Chronic stress ailments have many conventional medical therapies. Besides these, you can also try alternative treatments like Ayurveda and homeopathy. Moreover, there are several home remedies that you can incorporate into your daily routine alongside conventional medical therapies. Some of these natural home remedies are enlisted below.
Exercise is a proven natural remedy to keep stress at bay. Physical activity enhances your body’s capability to utilize oxygen while improving blood flow. Even moderate levels of exercise like walking can release mood-enhancing ‘endorphins,’ the brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters. You experience a sense of well-being and a natural ‘high’ after you exercise. A May/June 2013 article published in the ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal delves into the beneficial aspects of physical exercise in stress management. Moreover, physical exercise is capable of taking your mind off your worries. So folks, the next time you feel worried or anxious, simply venture outdoors for a run or a jog amidst nature.
In recent years, cannabis or marijuana is gaining attention as an alternative treatment for stress-related ailments. Though not regulated by the FDA, cannabis in the form of oils, capsules, tinctures, etc is increasingly becoming popular in the United States. From alleviating pain to treating insomnia, there are myriad benefits of CBD and Kratom. A 2019 study documents the effectiveness of cannabis in calming the mind and treating stress-induced conditions like insomnia and anxiety. But, cannabis and other alternative treatments should be adopted with caution and only after consulting your doctor.
Meditation is a practice wherein you can employ a simple technique like mindfulness to focus your attention for mental clarity and feelings of inner peace. This practice helps to slow racing thoughts and calm a restless mind. Meditation enhances levels of ‘melatonin’ and ‘serotonin,’ hormones required for a restful sleep. Besides, meditation benefits the body by reducing blood pressure and heart rate. A 2010 meta-analytic review suggests that mindfulness-based therapy is helpful in stress-related mood disorders and anxiety. There are many meditation styles that you can adopt as part of your daily routine. Furthermore, this practice is simple to follow and does not require any equipment. You simply need a quiet place and a chair or a yoga mat to practice meditation.
We all love to have that hot cuppa of tea after a hectic day at work or a soothing cup of green tea in winters. There are several varieties of herbal tea infusions like Peppermint tea, Passionflower tea, Chamomile tea, etc., that you can try. The varied components in these teas can alleviate stress and anxiety while relaxing your mind. For instance, peppermint tea contains menthol that can serve as a natural muscle relaxant, while the flavone chrysin present in the Passionflower helps reduce anxiety. If you are someone who finds it hard to get restful sleep at night, then a cup of Chamomile tea might work wonders for you. This tea is beneficial in treating insomnia as it helps to relax the muscles while reducing irritability and anxiety. For more information about lifestyle you can visit https://www.voucherix.co.uk/
Most of us love to hit the snooze button and get some restful sleep. There is a direct correlation between sleep and stress. Though conditions like insomnia are stress-induced and vice versa, you cannot negate the importance of sleep in reducing stress. A night of good quality sleep reduces the amount of stress-inducing cortisol hormone and helps to balance several other hormones required for optimal functioning of the body. So, the next time you feel stressed out, simply sleep over your problems.
Yoga is increasingly gaining popularity for its stress-reducing capabilities. Yoga which though originated in India is now practiced around the globe for its therapeutic benefits. There are many forms of yoga, such as Kundalini yoga, Vinyasa yoga, Hatha yoga, Ashtanga yoga which you can practice at home. Among these yoga forms, Kundalini yoga is the most effective yogic exercise for stress and anxiety. This is validated by a 2017 study where the participants experienced prompt relief from stress after practicing the Kundalini yoga form. Elements like mindfulness, breath regulation, and deep relaxation are all intertwined in a yogic exercise. However, you should always learn yoga from an expert before you add it to your daily life.
The Bottomline
Several people suffer from stress-induced conditions. Though conventional medical therapies are the way forward, these can complement inexpensive and natural home remedies for an optimal outcome.
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