Herbal medicines such as Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, Passionflower and Lavender provide a safe, effective and easy-to-use method for mitigating the stress response with extensive research for their use.
Ashwagandha is thought to be one of the best herbs for anxiety. It works by lowering cortisol levels and minimizing adrenal-associated stress.
B vitamins like B12 and B6 may help relieve stress, support cognitive function, and reduce feelings of depression and anxiety [2, 3, 4]. An Oxford study found that optimal B12 levels support brain health.
Get active. Virtually any form of physical activity can act as a stress reliever. Even if you're not an athlete or you're out of shape, exercise can still be a good stress reliever. Physical activity can pump up your feel-good endorphins and other natural neural chemicals that enhance your sense of well-being.
The best stress-relieving drinks include ginger, chamomile tea, valerian, black tea, coconut water, milk, green tea, coffee, lemon balm tea, water, and vegetable and fruit juice. Aromatherapy is another self-soothing practice shown to have benefits for mental health. You can read more about it here.
Today, valerian is promoted for insomnia, anxiety, depression, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menopause symptoms, and headaches. The roots and rhizomes (underground stems) of valerian are used for medicinal purposes.
Medical research has linked magnesium to reduced anxiety. Magnesium helps you to relax by stimulating the production of melatonin and serotonin which boost your mood and help you sleep. Magnesium also reduces the production of cytokines and cortisol, which lead to increased inflammation and stress.
Valerian root:
Valerian root works well with the GABA receptor and subtly increases its levels, says Dr. Madrak. GABA is an amino acid that acts as a neurotransmitter to decrease anxiety and depression symptoms.
Ashwagandha, an ancient medicinal herb, is an evergreen shrub that grows in Asia and Africa. Commonly used for stress, it's an analgesic that soothes the nervous system from pain response.
Jasmine - The calming scent of jasmine provides therapeutic benefits. Jasmine is often infused into medicinal alternatives for conditions like depression, stress, anxiety, and even insomnia. Chamomile - Chamomile is another well-known plant lauded for its relaxation benefits. Chamomile inspires calm.
Two of the most popular plants used in aromatherapy treatments are lavender and eucalyptus. Lavender promotes relaxation and relieves anxiety while eucalyptus works to clear airways and mental fog.
Blueberries
When we're anxious and stressed, our bodies crave vitamin C to help repair and protect our cells, and blueberries are packed full of it. Small but mighty, blueberries are bursting with antioxidants and vitamin C that have been shown to provide anxiety relief.
The B-vitamins in bananas, like folate and vitamin B6, are key to the production of serotonin, which can help improve your mood and reduce anxiety. For an extra stress-busting boost, top bananas with almond, peanut, or cashew butter.
Mental health conditions, such as depression, or a building sense of frustration, injustice, and anxiety can make some people feel stressed more easily than others. Previous experiences may affect how a person reacts to stressors. Common major life events that can trigger stress include: job issues or retirement.