Symptoms of anxiety and stress can be overwhelming. In fact they affect millions of people around the world every year, making them one of the most common mental health conditions in existence. When left untreated, anxiety and stress can make it difficult to relax, succeed at work, maintain close relationships and participate in fulfilling hobbies. Chronic stress affects our physical, mental and emotional health which can become very damaging to our overall health. When anxiety and stress runs deeper and feels unshakeable, it can inhibit your ability to function. And, exposure to stress and anxiety on a continual basis may also contribute to panic attacks.
Your body’s fight or flight response to stress was designed to quickly mitigate any potential damage imposed by short term injury or illness. Your immune system then responds by increasing the production of disease fighting white blood cells and releasing cortisol into the bloodstream. Once the stress or anxiety subsides, the immune system then returns to its baseline.
However, when chronic stress or anxiety occurs, the immune system never returns to baseline, but stays at the higher stimulated level. As the body is not sustainable at these prolonged high levels of stress and anxiety, negative effects can impose on our overall health.
And, although there might not be a direct cure for stress and anxiety, there are many ways to help manage symptoms and find a sense of peace and gain some control in your daily life. Natural health remedies have become a popular choice for those looking to improve upon their mental health. As fewer people want to spend the time in therapy or taking medicines with potential side effects, they believe that vitamins and nutrition are a healthier solution to lessening their anxiety and stress levels.
Since deficiencies in certain vitamins have been shown to induce anxiety and stress in some people, the intake of vitamins can also have the opposite effect and decrease those levels. Thus, natural health enthusiasts have been promoting the idea of vitamins as a treatment for stress and anxiety for years.
Anxiety and stress have become a normal part of life while iving in an often-chaotic world. So, when seeking a more natural means to calm the nerves during challenging times before it greatly impacts your quality of life, supplements can be of assistance. There has been much research suggesting that certain supplements may help relieve symptoms of anxiety and stress. Here are a few popular ones to mention:
- Vitamin D – plays an important role in mood regulation, as well as nerve and brain health. The body makes vitamin D when the skin is exposed to sunlight. You can also acquire this vitamin through foods rich in vitamin D such as fatty fish, salmon and mackerel, or by taking supplements.
- Vitamin B – are a group of 8 different nuturients that work together to manage many processes in the body, including stress levels. Research has found that people with higher levels of B vitamins in their diets had less anxiety and stress than those who were deficient. Taking B complex supplements can help you get enough of all the B vitamins.
- Magnesium – is an important mineral necessary for the proper functioning of almost every system in the human body. Foods rich in magnesium are whole wheat, spinach, almonds and cashews, dark chocolate and black beans. It is also easily consumed in a supplement or powder form.
- Multivitamin and mineral supplements – these cover the whole spectrum of vitamins and minerals and can greatly assist in anxiety and stress reduction when taken regularly. They help to replenish those nutrients your body might be missing in our diet or requiring to function at a higher level.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids – occurs in foods such as fish and flaxseed. These play an important role in brain health. As the body is unable to make these fats, we must get them from diet or in a supplemental form. They been proven to be very effective in reducing anxiety and stress levels.
- Calcium – one of the most abundant elements in the body, it is crucial not only for healthy bones but also for the nervous system. Low levels of calcium are often linked to anxiety and stress.
- Zinc – manufactures new cells. It is mainly concentrated in the brain where it helps regulate GABA, that calming neurotransmitter.
- Iron – low levels are linked to unpleasant symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness and headaches. When iron levels are low, less oxygen-rich blood is being pumped within the body, which can lead to anxiety. With increased levels, anxiety and stress can greatly be reduced.
- Chamomile tea – has been used for thousands of years for its calming effects. Its results of consumption have been compared to that of an anti-anxiety drug. Along with drinking, it can also be taken in a supplement form to help reduce stress and calm the nervous system.
To many, the scent of lavender is also very relaxing. Evidence suggests that smelling this plant can help ease away anxiety and stress. Benefits can be from inhaling lavender essential oil by a diffuser or by application to the skin after diluting with a carrier oil, such as coconut or olive oil.
As many of us live in a state of constant stress while accepting it as an unfortunate consequence of modern living, it shouldn’t have to be a daily visitor in your mind and body. Frequent stress and anxiety lead to unwanted health consequences, including migraines and sleep disorders. Though vitamins are not necessarily the solution to high anxiety and stress, they can definitely be of assistance in their reduction.
Along with following a healthy diet, adequate exercise, practicing deep breathing and a positive life focus and mindfulness, supplements can definitely bring you a sense of peace and added help in an overwhelming world. Look into these supplements to calm your nerves to assist with a life of less stress. For, learning to manage your stress effectively can literally add years to your life. By seeking a world of less stress, you create a more joyful life for yourself, and everyone around you.
