Manage Stress and Lead Healthy Life Naturally

Although we may not be able to completely eliminate stress in our lives, some measures can be taken to relief our body from the damaging influence of stress.

One should reduce consumption of some of the stimulants like caffeine and alcohol, both of which impact cortisol levels

Early to bed is the best way to relief the stress. Your body needs sleep. Anyone seeping for six hours or less can significantly increase their cortisol levels. It takes a full 7 to 8 hours of sleep to give your body enough time to recover from the stresses of the day before.

Technique to reduce stress :

One of the easiest methods to reduce the stress induced costisol levels is meditation. Regular meditation educes this hormone significantly and thus reduces the damaging effects of stress. Many studies have shown that massage therapy can lower this damaging hormone level, increase good hormones, and lower excitatory and harmful hormones.

Improve Mental Alertness 

Diet and herbs :

i) Diet plays an important role in controlling the stress. One should eat more fresh leafy vegetables Magnesium in spinach helps balance production of cortisol.Research has shown that citrus fruits like oranges and kiwis have high content of vitamin C, which helps slow the production of cortisol.

ii) More of healthy omega-3 oils must be added in the diet.  These healthy fats not only inhibit inflammation, but also help lower cortisol levels and reduce stress.

Herb like Tulsi or Holy basil is an antistress and adaptogen, that helps reduce the production of stress related hormones. Zinc inhibits the production of cortisol which can be obtained from cashews, pumpkin seeds, spinach and beans.

iii) 70% Dark chocolate has high levels of anti-oxidants that help decrease inflammation and slow the secretion of cortisol.

iv) Ashwagandha is an anti-stress and adaptogen herb and has the ability to support our body and calm our mind to reduce the damaging effect of stress. Adaptogens are meant to “adapt” their function according to your body’s specific needs. Ashwagandha balances our body so that we could cope with any kind of stress and thus helps us to reduce the levels of damaging effects of corisol.

v) Gotukola is renowned for its ability to balance the nervous system and the mind. It is a cooling, relaxing tonic for the mind. It makes less hyperactive and calms the mind.

vi) Amla believed to prolong youthfulness, life, and good memory, also has a reputation for increasing resistance to disease and nourishing the blood, and is considered an especially effective tonic for restoring the appetite, supporting liver health, and supporting the health of the bones, teeth, and hair. Amla is rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants.

vii) Licorice is an immunomodulator. It boosts immune system and protect our body from the damaging effects of cortisol. Stress reduces our immunity and we become vulnerable to diseases. Licorice by improving our innate immunity protects us from these diseases.

Caution: Due to lack of safety data, we do not recommend and also it is better to avoid adaptogens during pregnancy, however, they are considered safe for use while breastfeeding, and can help them cope with the stress and demands of sleepless nights.  We also do not recommend Adaptogens are not recommended in case someone is taking imunosuppresant drugs.

Read Also – How to Protect Your Immune System