Natural Stress-Relievers to Try Today

Picture: Francisco Moreno 

A small amount of stress is all part of the human experience. When we feel stressed, we can usually handle it without medicine or professional help. However, that’s not everyone’s experience. 

Regular extreme stress can negatively impact both physical and mental health. While seeking help from a trained medical professional can be the first step toward living a more stress-free life, you might also like to explore some of these natural stress relievers below. 

Reishi Mushrooms

Mushrooms are likely the last thing you think will help you feel less stressed. Yet, that’s many people’s experience with reishi mushrooms. Businesses like Mushroom Revival also recommend mushrooms for this purpose. They state that reishi mushrooms promote relaxation by supporting the body’s response to occasional stress. 

So far, researchers haven’t explored the possible benefits of reishi in detail. As a result, more anecdotal than scientific evidence supports its potential stress-reducing properties. However, researchers are now starting to explore reishi mushrooms’ unique chemical makeup. This might give them a greater understanding of its value for stress, sleep, fatigue, and immunity. 

CBD Oil

When the 2018 Farm Bill was signed into law, hemp and hemp-derived products became legal at a federal level. This meant that hemp businesses could legally sell CBD oil and other products like edibles containing CBD. Some people consume CBD and THC products for recreational purposes. Others keep a steady supply of CBD oil to relieve stress. Studies say that CBD is effective for this purpose. 

In fact, multiple double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials studying CBD for stress found substantial clinical evidence for CBD to be a safe and effective product for restricting the stress response. These studies showed that CBD effectively reduced the stress response and manifestations like burnout, depression, fear, and anxiety. 

As a result, anyone struggling to manage their stress levels in everyday life might like to explore hemp-derived CBD oil. While everyone responds differently to different products, CBD oil might provide the results you’re looking for. However, it’s important to purchase your CBD from a reputable business. CBD oil made from organic hemp grown in the United States can offer much-needed peace of mind. 

Exercise

Exercise is traditionally associated with physical health. When you exercise regularly, you may be more likely to maintain a healthy body weight. However, exercise might be the very thing you need to relieve stress. 

Whether you go walking, running, cycling, or swimming, you might feel your stress levels drop. Exercise might be the last thing you feel like doing when you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, but studies support its value for this reason. 

A 2014 study exploring regular exercise and its association with emotional resilience to acute stress in healthy adults found that exercise might protect against the negative emotional consequences of stress. The study also discovered a smaller decline in positive mood among regular exercisers compared to individuals who led more sedentary lifestyles. If you struggle with motivation, don’t exercise alone. Instead, join a club or a gym. You might even like to invite a friend to make it more fun.   

Mindfulness Meditation

Mindfulness meditation describes training your attention to enjoy positive emotions and calm concentration. It’s one of the most popular meditation techniques and has been studied at great length. 

After reviewing more than 200 mindfulness studies in healthy people, it was determined that mindfulness-based therapy effectively reduced stress, anxiety, and depression. It also shows promise as a treatment method for those with addiction and pain. 

As challenging as the prospect might be of trying something unique like mindfulness meditation to relieve stress, it can be worth exploring. Mindfulness classes are held in various cities nationwide, and many therapists have adopted it as a therapy technique. You might also be able to enjoy guided mindfulness meditation practices online or through smartphone apps. 

Lemon Balm

Whether you smoke lemon balm, consume it in tea, or use it in topical form, you might discover it has stress-relieving potential. Lemon balm is a herb from the mint family with leaves that produce a mild lemon smell. Many people use lemon balm to flavor their foods, but some people also use it to create medicine. 

Not everyone will be convinced that a natural plant like lemon balm can improve their mental health. However, studies suggest it might be valuable for this purpose. One study exploring the anti-stress effects of lemon balm concluded that it was generally associated with mood and cognitive performance improvements. 

There are many different lemon balm products you might like to try, such as capsules, tea, tinctures, and topicals. You can also use lemon balm in its plant form in recipes like pesto, cookies, salad, and even cake. 

Prioritize Self-Care

Feeling stressed and burned out isn’t uncommon if you spend more time caring for others than yourself. While you might prioritize your family and career, there still has to be room in your daily schedule for your own care. Make self-care your priority, and you might notice mental health benefits. 

Simple tasks like taking a warm bath, spending time on your hobbies, walking, or reading a book might all prove more helpful than you think. Try to dedicate at least an hour to your own needs daily. 

Eat a Healthy Diet

Snack foods might be convenient when you’re short on time, but they’re often full of fat, salt, and sugar. Too much can have health implications in the future. However, your physical health is just one part of the picture. Processed foods with added sugar might impact how you perceive stress.

Evidence suggests that not eating enough whole foods can cause nutrient deficiencies. A lack of essential nutrients like B vitamins and magnesium might reduce your ability to regulate stress and mood. As a result, being more selective of the foods you eat might lead to reduced stress. Try including some of the following nutrient-rich foods in your diet to potentially lower your stress hormone levels: 

• Leaf vegetables
• Avocado
• Blueberries
• Dark chocolate
• Salmon
• Yogurt 

Medication can solve many problems, but stress relief often requires a more natural approach. If your stress levels are affecting your everyday life, it’s time to take action. Try some of these natural stress relievers above to see if you can keep your stress levels to a minimum.