Home Remedy For Anxiety And Stress Relief
Life today is full of frustrations and stress is something that one cannot avoid. A moderate amount of stress keeps us on our toes and motivates us to do better. But sometimes the stress can reach high levels which may cause disruptions in physical and mental functioning. Situations or events that cause anxiety or upset our peace in any way lead the body to react in the form of stress, which is a natural physical response. This response is referred to as the stress response or the fight or flight response. This is a defense mechanism that the body uses in order to protect itself from the threatening event or situation.
Consequences Of Stress – How To Free Yourself From It?
Stress can have various consequences on the body, some of which may be obvious, while others may become apparent only when they turn severe. Individuals also differ greatly in their responses to stress. Some may become extremely affected by stress, while others may be less affected. The main effect of stress is that it lowers the functioning of the body’s immune system. This makes the body vulnerable to several other illnesses and conditions. The most common symptom of stress is recurring headaches.
Viral infections such as flu and cold also frequently occur during times of stress due to the diminished immunity. Stress can disrupt sleep and many individuals affected by stress also experience insomnia or poor quality sleep. Stress also increases anxiety which could in turn lead to anxiety attacks. Conditions of stress increase hormonal levels in the body. When the body is charged with an increased amount of hormones, thinking may become fuzzy and unclear, thereby hampering the fight or flight response. Stressful events cause irritability and frustration and may even lead to hopelessness. It can also affect libido in many ways. Stress can also lead to other conditions such falling hair, acne, body aches, gastritis, high blood pressure and eating disorders.
There are several natural remedies and lifestyle changes you can make to reduce the effects of stress on your body and mind. Increase consumption of foods that contain anti-oxidants such as oranges, melons, berries, broccoli and carrots. Avoid eating spicy and greasy foods as these are difficult to digest and as such increase the pressure on the body. Herbs such as holy basil and ginseng must be taken through the diet as they are beneficial for general well being. Refrain from drinking coffee and other caffeinated drinks and also alcohol.
These interfere with sleep and therefore aggravate the symptoms of stress. Include physical activities such as yoga or exercise in your daily routine. Taking chamomile tea daily is known to be effective in reducing stress and promoting calmness. Placing washed betel leaves on the forehead is also believed to be helpful in alleviating stress. Applying a paste of dry ginger and milk on the forehead creates a soothing effect which helps in easing stress. A concoction made by boiling dried sage leaves in water is also known to be helpful in treating stress.