Living in society today can be extremely stressful. Not only is the risk of getting a deadly virus enough to set our nerves on edge, but so too is everything that the pandemic has brought with it. We’ve had to adapt to working from home, not being able to hug or see loved ones and being stuck mainly within the confines of four walls. Now, with school starting back too, this brings stress to both parents and children as they have new routines they have to get used to and exams to study for.
With all these different stress factors weighing us down, I’m sure many of you are looking for some ways to calm your nerves and make it easier for you to relax.
Well, this article has you sorted. Below are some of the best natural remedies out there for promoting calmness and relaxation.
#1 Passionflower
Passionflower is a natural ingredient that comes from a vine, and it has been shown to significantly help with calming nerves and reducing anxiety [1]. Many people who suffer from conditions such as insomnia and ADHD make remedies out of passionflower as a way to deal with their condition [1].
This amazing ingredient works by promoting a substance called GABA, which is found in your brain and is responsible for lowering its activity as a way to calm you down before sleep [1].
You can easily make a natural remedy out of passionflower by just drinking it in the form of a tea every night, or whenever you feel stressed. Just pour some hot water over dried passionflower.
Alternatively to making your own passionflower remedy, you can get products such as this relax soothie, which contains passionflower as well as other completely natural ingredients which you can learn about here.
It is in the form of a lollipop, and so is a great option of remedy to give to your child to help them relax, as they will feel like they are just having a sweet treat!
#2 Chamomile
I’m sure you have all heard about how amazing chamomile tea is, with it being a popular choice of drink amongst society today. Well, the reason why so many people love it is because chamomile has amazing health benefits.
One of these benefits is that it can help to calm us down because it acts like a natural sedative [2]. It relieves stress, anxiety, and is also amazing for people who suffer from insomnia because it makes it so much easier to fall asleep at night [2]. That’s why so many people opt for a nice hot cup of chamomile tea before bed.
It is an especially great option of remedy to give to your child if they are struggling to get to sleep at night. This is because it is completely natural and won’t have any negative effects on their stomach. Do make sure, however, that it’s not too hot for them!
#3 Honey
Honey doesn’t only taste delicious but can also contribute to helping us relax and calm our nerves. It has such amazing properties including being an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and has been shown to be an effective antidepressant [3].
It’s ability to act as an antidepressant is what makes it a great remedy to reduce anxiety and help you feel calmer [3].
The relax soothie products not only have passionflower, but also contain chamomile and honey, so it really has the best mix of natural ingredients to create the perfect remedy for calmness. They even have a smaller pack too so you can take them with you on the go, just in case you find yourself or your child needing a quick calm-down!
#4 Lavender
It is no secret that lavender is an amazing herb for helping us get to sleep. It not only looks pretty, but also smells divine! It connotes everything to do with comfort! So, it’s probably no surprise to you to hear that lavender is also a great remedy for calmness.
Lavender helps to reduce restlessness, calm nerves, and is actually something doctors recommend as a way to deal with anxiety and sleeping problems [4]. It’s an amazing relaxing agent that is perfect for promoting overall calmness.
You can use lavender in the form of an oil, which you can then put in an essential oil diffuser to fill your bedroom with the smell and aura of the wonderful plant. Alternatively, you can drink lavender tea or use skincare remedies that contain it.
References:
[1] Guerrero F and Medina G (2017) Effect of a medicinal plant (Passiflora incarnata L) on sleep. Sleep Science. 10(3), pp. 96-100. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5699852/ [Accessed: 09/10/2020]
[2] Srivastava J, Shankar E and Gupta A (2010) Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with a bright future. Mol Med Report. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2995283/ [Accessed: 07/10/2020]
[3] Rahman M, Gan S and Khalil I (2014) Neurological Effects of Honey: Current and Future Prospects. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4020454/ [Accessed: 07/10/2020]
[4] Malcolm B and Tallian K (2017) Essential oil of lavender in anxiety disorders: Ready for prime time? The Mental Health Clinician. 7(4), pp. 147-155. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6007527/ [Accessed: 09/10/2020]
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