Looking for natural stress and anxiety relief? There are many ways you can reduce your stress hormones, center yourself, and gain control once more with activities, herbs, and healing foods.
Exercise – Getting your heart pumping is one of the best ways to reduce your stress. Stress is your body’s natural ancient defense against danger and predators, kicking in fight or flight. Exercise lets you fulfill that need, reducing stress hormones and increasing endorphins.
Get Out – Nature has a calming effect on the body. There are many studies that show being outdoors, in fresh air, surrounded by green, living plants helps reduce anxiety and stress. Combine it with exercise for best results.
Breathe – Simple breathing exercises and meditation can help calm the mind and body, so you stop producing stress hormones. Breathe in slowly, focusing on the movement of air through your body, hold it briefly, and let it out just as slow. Repeat until you feel better.
Ground Yourself – The health benefits of grounding are still hotly debated, but there is something soothing about direct contact with the earth. Combine it with meditation.
Practice Yoga – Yoga combines exercise, deep breathing, and sometimes grounding to clear the stress hormones out and bring the endorphins in. Enhance your mood, get in better shape, and improve your flexibility and balance all at once.
Sleep – Many of us don’t get the rest we truly need. Sleep is when our bodies clean out the waste of the day, rebuild, and recharge. Make sure you’re getting more than eight hours a night and squeeze in a short power nap if you need one. Keep it below half an hour for best results.
Balance – Stress often occurs when we take on more than we can handle. Take a hard look at your tasks and to-do lists. Decide what can be shed, say no to more things, avoid procrastinating, and prioritize the things that need to be done soonest. You can only do so much at once.
Valerian Root – This herb naturally reduces stress and anxiety in a big way. It is also a very effective natural sleep aid, so use it wisely and in small amounts, unless you need the rest.
Passionflower – Almost as effective as valerian, but passionflower doesn’t put you to sleep. It makes a calming tea or a quick supplement when you feel the stress rising.
Kava Kava – This herb has been used for generations as a calming beverage in the South Pacific. It is now gaining momentum in treating mild anxiety.
Lemon Balm – Often used in calming teas, this herb helps improve your mood while easing tension and other symptoms of high-stress. It is easily added to your herb garden too.
Green Tea – Green teas, especially matcha, help calm the body and mind, naturally reducing stress and anxiety without causing grogginess or fatigue. They actually can increase focus, alertness, and energy levels at the same time. This is due to the naturally high amounts of the amino acid Theanine.
Chamomile – Everyone knows about the calming effects chamomile tea can have on the body. It relaxes muscles, calms nerves, and can help you drift off to sleep easier.
Lavender – The scent of lavender can reduce stress and ease tensions throughout the body. It isn’t the only herb that can have this effect, but it is one of the best. It is readily available as an essential oil, so you can enjoy the benefits of stress relief in an instant.
This is in no way a complete list of ways you can reduce stress. Try playing with your pet, listening to soothing music, kissing someone you love, watching a comedy that makes you laugh, spending time with family and friends, or journaling. There are many more where those came from and many more calming herbs to look into. What are you doing to reduce your stress and anxiety?