In our fast-paced world, stress affects our health and well-being more than ever. With 95% of doctor visits stemming from stress and anxiety, it’s crucial to find healthy ways to manage it. Often, people resort to prescription medications like benzodiazepines, which can be addictive and harmful in the long run.
1. Alternative: Valerian Root
Valerian root, known for its calming effects, has been used for centuries. It’s often referred to as “nature’s Valium” and is available in various forms like capsules, tea, and powder. Valerian is best taken at night due to its potential drowsy effects, providing mental and physical calm and improving sleep quality.
2. Alternative: Kava Kava
Kava, or Piper methysticum, is a potent natural stress remedy available in pill, tincture, powder form, and flavored extract. It is known for its numbing effect and calming properties, often creating a good mood and positive outlook. While there have been claims of liver harm, these risks are generally associated with improper manufacturing.
Alternative: Oral Lavender Oil
Lavender, widely known for its use in aromatherapy, also shows significant benefits when taken orally. Lavela WS 1265, an oral lavender supplement, has been found to reduce anxiety and stress effectively, comparable to benzodiazepines but without the adverse side effects. It’s known for being entirely safe, with the only reported minor effect being lavender burps.
Conclusion
While these are the top 3 natural stress remedies, combining them with other techniques like aromatherapy and mind/body practices can offer even more significant benefits, potentially changing the quality of your life.