Natural Ways To Combat Mild Anxiety
“For fast-acting relief, try slowing down.”
Taking care of stress is paramount. Over time, continual stress can take a toll on the body and lead to real consequences. The same life-saving responses you rely on for normal function can turn on you and upset immune, sleep, digestive, and reproductive systems.
On top of that, we lose that sense of connectedness to our minds and bodies. Falling out of balance can make a person feel downright unhappy or less effective.
Thankfully, there are natural ways to address stress and change your response to it. We’re not talking about a pitcher of margaritas. There is no magic bullet. We’re talking about elevating your routine, diet, and supplements, which we’ll discuss in a moment.
What’s causing you so much stress?
Money and work are the top two stressors. Surprised? Probably not. Family responsibilities are probably the third most common source, trailed by personal health concerns, health problems affecting family and also, the economy.
Know Your Stress Signals
Everyone experiences stress and mild anxiety in unique ways. Some people may be moody, sad and angry while others may experience sleepiness, muscle soreness, headaches, even hair loss. Stress can also make you more vulnerable to recurrent viral infections, like the flu or the common cold.
Stress can also influence our brain. Daily secretion of the stress response hormone cortisol can harm memory centers, including the hippocampus. Chronic stress can also trigger the shrinkage of neurons in the hippocampus and lead to a never-ending cycle of stress-related problems.
Your gut could also be sending you signals. The gut contains what’s known as the “second brain,” known as the enteric nervous system. The second brain has over 100 million neurons! That’s more than the spinal cord or the peripheral nervous system. It also uses more than 30 neurotransmitters and has 95% of the body’s serotonin, a chemical that balances mood. The gut informs the brain and vice versa. Also, unbalanced gut flora can cause feelings of anxiety and stress.
Naturally, you can do something about it
When you’re overwhelmed, combating occasional anxiety might feel like pushing a 700 lb greased gorilla up a mountain. A sensible approach is to try one hack at a time. Build upon success and keep moving forward, replacing bad habits for new, restorative ones.
1. Rethink Your Comfort Foods With A Nourishing Diet
Give your body fuel packed with essential vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, electrolytes, antioxidants and amino acids help your brain and body handle stress better:
• Fermented foods: Besides supplementing with a reliable probiotic, you can also ingest probiotic-rich foods that contribute to beneficial gut bacteria. Try unsweetened kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut, kimchi, and raw cheese.
• Antioxidants: They reduce the effects of free radicals, also called oxidative damage/stress. Try blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, cherries, Goji berries, pecans, artichokes, garlic, green tea, apples, kidney beans and dark chocolate (Yay!).
• Healthy Fats and Omega 3 Fatty Acids: Wild-caught Salmon, grass-fed beef, nuts, seeds, avocados and coconut oil. Also, you could add a high-quality fish or krill oil supplement to your diet.
• Minerals and electrolytes like Calcium, Magnesium, and Zinc: These help you to sleep better and relax your muscles. Foods include beans, seeds, wild-caught salmon, oysters, avocados, nuts, unsweetened yogurt, leaf, dark leafy greens, and bananas.
• Avoid sugar, gluten, and processed foods as much as possible.
2. Adding A High-Quality Hemp Oil Extract To Your Supplement Routine
The body has an Endocannabinoid System, a vital receptor system essential for maintaining good health. Hemp contains whole-plant cannabinoids, the major one being non-psychoactive, non-addictive cannabidiol. These cannabinoids naturally fit in the ECS’s receptors. Many can be found in areas of the brain that control mood, behavior, stress, sleep, fear, and irritability.
• Everyday Hemp Oil: Proprietary Hemp and naturally occurring antioxidants and neuroprotectants. When buying hemp oil extract, consistency and quality is key to success. My Daily Choice is manufactured in an FDA registered facility, and 3rd party GMP verified for the best quality. You can purchase at http://mydailychoice.com/rmcmanus.
3. Adaptogenic Herbs Can Lower Cortisol The Stress Hormone
Cortisol wreaks havoc when it’s out of balance. Stressful situations signal the adrenal glands to release cortisol. When you’re continually stressed, the adrenals get tired and can’t adequately respond. This state is called Adrenal Fatigue. A group of herbs called “adaptogens” can help balance cortisol levels. Here are some top picks:
• Asian Ginseng (Panax Ginseng): Boosts mental performance and the capacity to endure stress. It also has antioxidants, antidepressant effects, and can help naturally lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
• Ashwagandha: Often used in Ayurvedic medicine to regulate the immune system and ease anxiety.
• Rhodiola: Has a plant chemical known as salidroside. This element helps to relieve stress and combat aging.
4. Do Something Good For Someone Else
This tip is pretty simple. The act of giving can stimulate neurotransmitters connected to feelings of positivity, strength and decreases a sense of worry. Altruism helps us to look inwardly and gives positive perspective around the things in life that are causing us stress. By focusing on others in need, we can underline our sense of gratitude for a good life!
• We put our energies into The Realm Of Caring. What makes you feel good? Let us know in the comments below!
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