Calming Herbs for Stressful Times

Life is a whirlwind! It may feel like it takes all our effort just to remain focused and “on the beam”. Keeping it together at the best of times can be a struggle. The net result is that many of us are constantly stressed.

Of course, there are things we can do. Simple lifestyle considerations can make a world of difference. Let’s take a look at some of our healthy options to  help us maintain, or regain, a healthy stress response.

Nutrition

Needless to say if we are not eating a healthy diet, then our bodies will not be functioning at an optimal level. And our stress response will suffer. It’s that simple.

For example, whole grains contain B-vitamins which help support our nervous system. Healthy sources of protein can help support healthy adrenal glands, which we need to maintain energy levels. Sometimes not having enough energy to deal with the stresfull situations that arise, is enough to throw us over the edge.

This is the same with hydration. If we are not drinking enough water during the day, Our energy levels will suffer (so may our immune systems and genito-urinary tracts).

So first off, let’s try to eat a healthy diet and hydrate.

Sleep

Of course, if we’re not getting sufficient sleep, we will not be able to handle the stress that we will likely experience. Check out this article for more ideas on how to get a good night’s sleep here.

Herbal Allies

Some of our favorite botanicals for stressful times include:

Ashwagandha – the fabulous and now famous botanical from the ancient Ayurvedic tradition. Ashwagandha  is considered an adapotegen which means that it may help us adapt to stress. Aadaptogenic herbs help support homeostasis and a balanced stress repsonse by working with the hypothalmic-adrenal-pituitary axis which helps regulate our nervous systems.

California poppy – the gorgeous Cal poppy, pictured above and below in the video, contains chemicals called alkaloids which have a soothing, calming action. Try adding a couple drops of California poppy to warm water to create a healing tea.

Lavender – sometimes all it takes is smelling the calming lavender fragrance, to help soothe our stress response. Try carrying a little vile of the essential oil to access during an acutely stressful situation. Simply open the vile and breethe in the calming scent.

Oatstraw – this very common herb grows worldwide and is loaded with nutritients. In fact, oatsraw contains minerals which may help support nerve health. A soothing oatsraw tea can go a long way in calming a stressful situation.

Check out this video for more information on our favorite, calming herbal allies.