Were we all warned as kids about how stressful adulthood would be? Probably….but I’m pretty sure we were all too busy singing the soon to be defunct Toys R Us jingle as we skinned our knees roller skating, and tried to beat our best friends at Donkey Kong. Stress? Oh, we had NO idea.
So, how do we cope without completely losing it? Well, there are always pharmaceuticals or a good ol’ shot of whisky, but this blog is all about finding healthy alternatives, right?
I could recommend a week in a hammock on the shores of Koh Samui sans cell phone and social media. The thing is, if you’re like me, a weekend getaway budget only gets you as far as a Motel 6 on a random and lonely stretch of highway (which actually sounds great all things considered).
What I can realistically do and recommend is to find your peace, or at least some of it, in the bottom of a tea cup. Over the years, I’ve found myself experimenting with different herbal remedies to help me deal with stress and anxiety in a healthy way.
And no…I don’t mean the kind of herbal remedies you can put in a pipe and smoke. I’m all for it if it helps you, but I already love snacking too much, so adding in a case of the munchies while trying to keep two teenagers fed would have me filing for Chapter 11 in the blink of an eye.
What I’m talking about are herbal teas that are actually really effective in helping you achieve a feeling of nirvana…even if just for the evening.
Here are some of my favorites:
Lemon Balm
This is an amazingly therapeutic herb which works wonders on the nervous system. Lemon Balm has been used for generations to treat anxiety and other nervous disorders which makes it the perfect tonic for anyone feeling overwhelmed by stress. As an added benefit, Lemon Balm also helps alleviate headaches and bloating
Chamomile
This may be a tea you remember your grandmother making when you were a kid. Seen in the past as an Old Wives’ remedy, plenty of current clinical trials have found that chamomile truly helps abate the symptoms of anxiety and restlessness. Chamomile tea makes the perfect nightcap to calm the nerves, promote good sleep, and aide in healthy digestion. Combined with honey and lemon, it also helps soothe the throat and calm coughs. This is the perfect tea for children as well. Its soft flowery aroma and taste is normally liked by little ones and can help soothe them to sleep.
Passionflower
This is another favorite tea that is well known for its soothing benefits. Passionflower has long been used in Latin America to calm muscle tension and spasms, aide in mild anxiety, and help promote sound sleep in those with insomnia. It has also been administered to help with convulsions, and in recent double-blind clinical tests has been shown to be as effective as benzodiazepines when used to treat anxiety.
Green Tea
Although green tea may not be the first herbal tonic that comes to mind for relaxation, it’s actually a great tea to help you de-stress. Green tea contains high levels of theanine which is an amino acid that promotes relaxation via stimulation of the alpha waves of your brain. As green tea does contain caffeine, if you choose to have a cup before bedtime, choosing a decaf version would be best.
Lavender
From time immemorial, lavender has been used to treat anxiety and depression. It has been studied and proven to take the edge off of feelings of depression, anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, and general stress. As a matter of fact, a study published in the journal, Phytomedicine, showed that lavender could be just as effective as the opiate, Ativan, without the harmful side-effects or chance of addiction. This tea also happens to be aromatherapeutic, which allows you to drink and breathe in its calming benefits.
Catnip
Catnip tea is yet another effective mild sedative that works wonders on frazzled nerves. Drinking a cup will make you realize why your feline friends love this herb so much! Catnip contains nepetalactone which relieves stress, calms nerves, and reduces anxious feelings. It also helps lessen the symptoms of premenstrual tension, cramping and is an effective anti-inflammatory.
Avoiding stress is pretty much impossible, but treating it naturally, and taking a little time to yourself can make a huge difference. These teas are a wonderful and safe way to help ameliorate stress…..plus there’s something very calming about the act of taking a few minutes to sit down and savor your little cup of sanity. Makes the world stop if even for just a few minutes….and lord knows we all need that to happen once in a while!
*Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. While everything I post I have discussed at length with medical professionals, I strongly suggest that you do the same before trying to self treat or treat a loved one. Everyone has a different biological constitution and what works for some may not work for others. Allergies should also be taken into consideration.*
header photo by Kaboompics @Pexels
As an affiliate marketer, I earn from qualifying purchases via the ads provided on my website.
