Natural Remedies for Stress and Anxiety

If there is one thing that many people seem to be reporting right now more than ever, it is an increase in stress related ailments. But before you head to the chemist to stock up your medical supplies, give some of these home remedies a go.

For Insomnia

Honey- Finding yourself tossing and turning all night? Try adding a teaspoon of honey into a bedtime herbal tea. Honey is thought to aid sleep because it provides complex sugar which the digestive system can break down easily. Sugar can even act as a sedative when consumed 30 minutes before bed, helping you drop off quicker. We recommend you add honey to a calming chamomile tea for extra relaxation.

Valerian – This is a herb that promotes sound sleep and fights psychological stress. It is native to Europe and is said to have a sedative effect on the brain and nervous system to help if you are suffering insomnia. You can find valerian in both capsule and tea form.

Epsom salts and magnesium – Soak in a bath of Epsom salts before bedtime. The salts aid your body in the absorption of magnesium which is essential for calm sleep. You can also find magnesium supplements to help regulate your sleep pattern.

To fight the blues

Apples- An apple a day keeps the blues away! Apples contain high levels of vitamin B, potassium and phosphorous which can help your brain repair damaged cells, therefore improving brain function and mental wellbeing.

Cardamom – This is used particularly in Ayurvedic medicine to lift mood. To make cardamom milk all you need to do is heat 3 cardamom seeds in a cup of milk, strain it and sweeten with a touch of honey.

Go nuts! – Cashew nuts contain thiamine and riboflavin which helps stimulate the nervous system and improve mood. Adding a handful of cashews to your salads or as a healthy snack daily to help uplift the funk. Likewise, almonds are a good choice since they are rich in protein and phenylalanine which stimulates dopamine and noradrenaline production. Add almonds to your morning porridge or mix with your cashews for a mix nut snack.

Seeds- Seeds like pumpkin seeds are vitamin and mineral dense which can aid in keeping your brain positive and healthy. They are also a better snack than processed or sugary snack choices which cause spikes in energy and in mood.

Curbing anxiety

St John’s Wort – A herbal remedy whose use can be traced back to Ancient Greece. It is known to calm bouts of anxiety and improve mental health. It also has anti inflammatory and antiviral pproperties.

Yoghurt – Yoghurt contains high levels of calcium, vitamin A, B and D all of which can reduce stress symptoms. Try a bowl of yoghurt with nuts and cherries (another soothing snack for the nervous system) for an anxiety busting, healthy treat.

Celery – While not normally everyone’s first choice snack, celery contains the phytonutrients phthalides which are said to be natural sedatives. Add celery to salads or use it for dipping into your hummus or peanut butter (it tastes better than it sounds).

Wholegrains – Swapping white bread, rice or pasta for their wholegrain alternatives will up your dose of B vitamins which sustain the nervous system.

Tarragon – Tarragon is said to have a soothing effect and be a great choice to reduce the effects of anxiety. It can be added to salad dressings, stews, soups or even drunk in tea form.

Fish – The oils provided by fish help to boost mental health. For non-vegetarians try to increase consumption of fish to 3 servings per week. Vegetarians can supplement fish oils with a capsule.

Avoiding overeating

Something we have all been guilty of at some point during lockdown, overeating can be a result of stress, anxiety and boredom. Regulate the insatiable appetite with:

Ginger – Adding ginger to foods, chewing on a thin slice or drinking ginger tea can reduce the desire to snack and can boost your metabolism. To make a ginger tea add a peeled roughly 3cm piece of fresh ginger root and let it brew for 15 minutes in boiled water. Strain before drinking.

Tomato – Tomatoes help to upkeep the body’s acid-alkali and sugar balance as well as being more filling than other snacks, all of which makes them good snacks to avoid overeating. They also provide lycopene and antioxidants which are great for general wellbeing.

Mint – Add a fresh mint tea after an evening meal to aid digestion and reduce late night snacking. You can even swap a hot tea for an iced mint tea for a more refreshing option in the summer.

Drink your celery – drinking celery juice before each meal can work to suppress appetite. Not to mention celery may not be the most delicious choice, but it does provide you with vitamin A, B1, B2, B6 and vitamin C. It even throws in potassium, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorous, amino acids… if only it tasted like chocolate!

Dandelion or Green tea – These two have been shown to boost fat burn. Drinking a tea when you feel the urge to snack can also be a great strategy to alleviate the munchies and unnecessary calorie consumption.