Life today is fast-paced and stressful. It takes a toll on our mental wellness and makes it difficult to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. Heightened stress hormones, like cortisol, can lower immunity, cause inflammation, and increase the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, and cardiac arrest.
While there are various methods to manage stress, natural supplements are nature's helpers, there to support our bodies and minds during challenging times. This article explores how Ayurveda can help reduce the symptoms of anxiety.
It also shares a selection of natural supplements known for their stress-relieving properties and balancing abilities. Finally, it provides helpful stress-reducing tips to nurture your body and mind.
Ayurveda For Mental Health
Ayurveda teaches that stress levels are governed by three doshas or energies, Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. It's crucial to balance these energies based on each individual's constitution. Being out of balance can cause anxiety and an increased risk of other mental and physical ailments. Here's how the doshas affect our mental wellness:
1. Vata
This dosha unlocks creativity, optimizes intuition, and helps you to think quickly and innovatively. When Vata is out of balance, you could experience anxiety, feelings of fear, and sleep problems.
2. Pitta
Pitta dosha boosts intelligence, confidence, and determination. It helps you to feel more confident. When unbalanced, Pitta can make you feel mild anxiety, irritation, frustration, and even anger.
3. Kapha
Kapa energy improves reliability and steadfastness, and it can make you feel stronger. When kapha energy is out of balance, you could feel highly stressed, unmotivated, sluggish, and tired.
Taking supplements can help balance the doshas, relieving anxiety and improving overall wellness.
Herbal Supplements For Managing Stress And Anxiety
Natural supplements can ease anxiety symptoms, help manage stress, and improve mood. Here are some of the top supplements for relieving stress.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha, a renowned adaptogenic herb, offers notable benefits in dealing with stress and anxiety. It aids the body in adapting to stressors by regulating cortisol levels, thus promoting a calmer state of mind. It can also improve sleep quality and can help lower blood sugar.
Ashwagandha's anxiolytic properties help alleviate anxiety symptoms and enhance overall wellness. It supports neurotransmitter balance, including serotonin and GABA, which are crucial in mood regulation. By reducing stress-induced inflammation and oxidative stress, Ashwagandha supports the body's resilience to stress.
Shatavari
Shatavari, a revered herb in Ayurveda, offers significant benefits in managing stress and anxiety. Traditionally it's used to support emotional wellness and balance hormones. Like Ashwagandha, it acts as an adaptogen, supporting the body's ability to adapt and cope with stressors. Shatavari promotes a sense of calmness and relaxation by nourishing the nervous system. It also provides PMS relief and reduces the symptoms of menopause.
Shatavari helps balance cortisol levels, reducing stress-induced symptoms such as irritability and restlessness. Its soothing and rejuvenating properties make it an excellent natural supplement for those seeking relief from chronic stress, allowing for a more balanced and harmonious state of mind.
Brahmi
This ancient medicinal plant, also called Tulsi or Holy Basil, is a herb renowned for its stress-relieving properties. It has been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for centuries to promote calmness and mental clarity. Brahmi supports the nervous system by reducing anxiety and stress-induced symptoms.
Known for its ability to help prevent age-related cognitive decline, Brahmi enhances cognitive function, memory, and concentration, helping to improve focus and alleviate mental fatigue. It's widely recommended as a supplement to help prevent Alzheimer's and dementia. Brahmi also modulates the production of stress hormones, promoting a sense of tranquility and emotional equilibrium.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C from natural sources like Camu Camu and Amla plays a crucial role in reducing stress and anxiety. These fruits contain powerful antioxidants, supporting the body's response to stress management and improving memory and mental clarity while improving mood. Vitamin C helps regulate cortisol, the stress hormone, and boosts the production of neurotransmitters, including serotonin, promoting a sense of wellness.
Vitamin C boosts immunity, which can be compromised during stressful times. It also helps with healthier skin and hair and can regulate high blood pressure.
Tips To Manage Stress and Anxiety
Supplements can provide incredible relief to people with anxiety, but it's not a cure-all. Here are some tips for lifestyle changes that will help you to reduce stress.
- Meditate. Meditation helps with stress by promoting relaxation and lowering the activity of the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for how our bodies respond to stress. A regular meditation practice can enhance mindfulness, reduce anxiety, and cultivate a sense of calm, helping us to better cope with and manage stress in our daily lives.
- Practice mindfulness every day. Engage in activities that promote mindfulness, like meditation, deep breathing exercises, or progressive muscle relaxation. When you practice mindfulness, you are in the present moment - it will reduce stress and promote a sense of calm.
- Practice deep breathing. Breathing exercises can help reduce stress. Take slow, deep breaths, slowly inhaling through your nose and slowly exhaling through your mouth. Focus on your breath and let go of tension with each exhale.
- Exercise. Physical activity releases endorphins, which are natural mood boosters and stress relievers. Find an exercise routine that you enjoy, whether it's yoga, dancing, or any other form of movement that gets your body moving and your mind distracted from stress.
- Prioritize self-care. Make self-care a priority by engaging in activities that bring you joy and relaxation. Take a warm bath, read a book, listen to music, or spend quality time with loved ones - anything that makes you happy and calm.
- Make positive lifestyle changes. Ensure you're getting enough sleep, eat a balanced diet, and avoid excessive caffeine, alcohol, and processed foods. A lifestyle focused on health provides the foundation for overall well-being and can better equip your body to cope with stress.
- Eat green leafy vegetables to boost magnesium and other vitamins and minerals required to help combat stress.
- Establish boundaries. Learn to say no when you feel overwhelmed or when additional commitments will add unnecessary stress to your life. Establishing healthy boundaries can help you maintain a balanced lifestyle and prevent burnout.
- Seek support. Don't hesitate to reach out to friends, family, or a support network when you're feeling overwhelmed. When you share your feelings and concerns with others, it can provide emotional support and different perspectives on managing stress.
- Get organized. Create a to-do list or schedule to help you stay organized and prioritize tasks. Breaking down overwhelming tasks into smaller, manageable steps can help alleviate stress and give you a sense of accomplishment.
- Limit media consumption. Being constantly exposed to news and social media can contribute to stress and anxiety. Limit your media consumption, especially during stressful times, and focus on activities that bring positivity and relaxation.
- Consider professional help. If stress and anxiety persist despite your efforts, consider seeking professional help. A professional can provide guidance, support, and additional strategies for managing stress and anxiety.
Remember, managing stress is a continuous process that requires self-care, patience, and a proactive approach. By incorporating these tips into your daily routine, you can effectively manage stress and cultivate a healthier, more balanced life.
Say Goodbye To Anxiety
Stress is an inevitable part of life, but finding natural ways to support our body and mind can help us navigate its challenges more effectively. Natural supplements offer a holistic approach to managing stress and nurturing our well-being from within. Ashwagandha, Shatavari, Brahmi, and Natural Vitamin C are just a few examples of the many natural supplements available that can relieve stress and promote a sense of calm.
If you're feeling anxious or stressed, consider incorporate these natural supplements into a well-balanced lifestyle that includes a nutritious diet, regular exercise, quality sleep, and stress-reducing practices like mindfulness meditation, yoga, or spending time outdoors.
