Natural remedies and solutions for stress...?

Question

I am rather stressed out at the moment with mood swings and negativity. It is short term things that will be sorted in time but any suggestions to make stress easier untill then would be great.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Please ignore the recommendation for kava kava as it has been ruled unsafe. I use rescue remedy and kalms tablets for a quick fix. I suffer from killer pms and find that intensive exercise such as a taerobics class is the most effective. Also try not to give in to chocolate cravings (ugh I've eaten mini eggs and maltesers all day!) because you feel sluggish and guilty afterwards. Try a lavender linen spray for your bedlinen and have a lush bubble bath (not too hot) with Radox in it-they do some delicious fragrances and they all relieve stress. if you have a partner get them to massage your back and shoulders with any type of massage oil-even almond oil will feel and smell lovely. If you are feeling really aggressive, digging the garden is helpful but you may ache afterwards. If you don't have a pet, offer to walk a neighbour's dog (preferably not a staffy or rottweiler) or visit a pet shop and study the fish tanks. It may sound weird, but it actually de-stresses you listening to the water. All these things don't cost much, if anything, so I hope I've given you some ideas. Hope you're feeling better soon:)
Love Aunty Twist xxx
(why do you think they call me twisty in the first place? Aargh!)

Answer 2

Natural remedy wise i've heard that St.Johns Wort is a good supplement to take - it's meant to help you stay calm - essential to sort out these short term issues.

Yoga is also great! I swear by it - it's either some time not to worry and concentrate on not falling over or it can help you see things in a different perspective. You can do it at any time that suits you and you don't need any expensive equipment to get started - don't get sucked in by all the products on offer - a towel on your bedroom floor will do for starters if you're strapped for cash!

On the other hand, if you have some spare £ lying around, you could try Origins - they have an anti-stress product line that uses aromatherapy.

If you are also experiencing mood swings - this could be helped by adjusting your diet - a test showed that i was deficient in magnesium and zinc and since taking them as supplements i haven't experienced my usual monthly bout of irritation. Obviously your case is different but mood swings are still governed by the same hormones etc. right?!

Finally, remember it's good to talk - so call someone who doesn't mind having a sore ear and let it all out!

Answer 3

welll...... the more ways you tackle this the better. First thing to do is exercise, to clear all those stress hormones out of your system. A good walk in a beautiful setting (if possible) with a bit of fresh air works wonders. Try to get in a walk every day until this passes over - exercise has been proved to be as effective as counselling in people suffering from depression, so put it to use for you! Even just 30 mins will have a great effect ...... Second, lavender baths are a great one - but you need to put the lavender oil (about 6 drops should be enough, but adjust to your taste!) into a glass of milk before you add it to your bath. This helps the oil to dissipate, if you add it straight to the bath water it just sits on top. Go mad and use a whole pint of milk if you want, it will moisturise your skin and make the whole experience very Cleopatra-ish. A bath an hour or so before bed works very well for me, followed by soft fluffy pjs and a glass of wine! Treat yourself to new pjs if you haven't any suitably comfy ones. Treating yourself well and prioritising your own care will have a knock-on effect - the old "I'm worth it" cliche is actually kinda true. Best of luck!

Answer 4

Valerian is an over the counter herb that is calming. As far as I know it has no side effects and isn't habit forming.

Kava Kava is another herb out there but I wouldn't recommend that one. It's been banned in Germany and several other countries as causing possible liver damage.

Be just a little bit selfish and set aside time for yourself to do something enjoyable every day.

Get a pet. They say having a cat or dog helps relieve stress.

Answer 5

The best stress relievers are St.Johns Wort, and kalms sleeping tablets... Though I do suggest you consult a doctor before taking St'Johns Wort if there is any chance you may be pregnant.
Also if you need to wind down at night time, I suggest you do some exercise prefferably at night so you use up all your energy to help you sleep better. When you do feel like winding down, have a hot bubble bath with candles with a book or shower radio to relax. Once you are ready for bed use some scented oils like lavender which is excellent for sleep, and dab 2 drops onto your pillow.
If you are stressed cut out caffeine in your diet, as it makes you more alert (which can make you anxious).
2 hours before bed, write down and compartmentalise all your worries from the day then leave it for the night......In the morning read it again and throw it away or burn it as a symbol of a new day..... amen and I hope my suggestions work

Answer 6

Please dont take my first suggestion the wrong way.
Try pleasing yourself if you know what I mean.. Hot bath ladida.
Eat well, no shxt food, this compounds the problem, chicken salads are so easy to make, (cut chicken, fry add some herbs or simply salt pepper serve with salad). Cut out fizzy drinks drink water. Excercise, start walking a lot more to gather your thoughts if you are active go for a run in the morning before the stress and then the same at the evening..
I think you will find your negativity will also go by the wayside but remember negative thoughts ONLY affect you and your growth, others will simply acknowldge or switch off

Answer 7

Getting a good night's sleep is really important; if this is difficult you could try remedies such as those containing lettuce, valerian, passionflower and hops.
Also try to think about your rate of breathing and, as an exercise, just sit quietly and let it slow down to a comfortable and relaxed pace. It could assist you into a meditative or light trance state and help you feel really at peace within yourself.

If you practise, you will find that your heart rate will reduce, blood pressure will reduce and amount of adrenalin being produced will also reduce. Practising these skills in potentially stressful situations will help you to take control of the way you feel.

If you are feeling depressed too, then St. John's Wort (Hypericum) can also help. Try turning negatives into positives.
Good luck!

Answer 8

I'd say listen to music you love & makes you feel peaceful. I know it's too simple, but even in the background it'll help.

Also if u can remember take as many deep breaths as you can throughout the day.this is very relaxing.

I find water is very relaxing, wether I go & sit in a jacuzzi, or take showers or baths or go & sit by the sea-side.(it's too cold to go swimming now!)

I read somewhere recently that Siberian Ginseng is relaxing & is used to help the body deal with stress (see link) & it's actually a muscle relaxant!

Also skullcap tea is supposed to be good for stress.

Answer 9

Hi there, i went through a period of stress etc last year and i tried st johns wart, its herbal but it did help relieve things a little! Stay positive and try and focus on the good instead of the bad! (easier said than done) but give it a shot! I hope u feel better soon x

Answer 10

When I was in charge for curing my anemia, my omeopathist gave me Bardana pills and Fish oil to reduce the stress due to an intense period of study.
Bardana lowers stress and anxiety, and increases concentration. I remember the pills were quite big with a wonderful taste.
Fish oil is for increasing memory, it had a strange taste I have never liked.