Distressed? De-stress, the Natural Way

It’s that time of year again. Even if you’re long past your college years, I’m sure you remember exam season. Yawning through those all-nighters, cramming in an entire year’s worth of material while drinking coffee by the gallon… To all you students out there – you have our sympathy and heartfelt wishes of good luck!

Here’s the paradox, however, that’s hindering your efforts, no matter how hard you study. At a time when you want your memory and concentration to be running in high gear, your brain is not working at its optimum. In fact, you’re at a distinct disadvantage. And the reason is simple. Stress on the body (and there’s no denying that exams can be an extremely stressful!) decreases brain function.

The equation is clear, and it can cause you to want to bang your head against the wall in frustration. Stress = Problems with memory and learning. Watch this video to understand why:

Don’t think the problem stops when your college years are over. Life is stressful, whatever stage you’re at. Long-term stress can have devastating repercussions on your mental health as you age. If you think about it, you’re familiar with what stress does to your body, even short-term. I know that when I’m in a stressful situation, I get sick more easily and am more forgetful. For a terrific and comprehensive study on the effects of stress on your health, read this.

The point of all this is not to stress you out even more. But there are some natural ways to decrease your stress that are easy to implement in your everyday life. And the good news is that the effects of stress on your brain can be reversed at any time with decreased anxiety and a healthy lifestyle. Here are some ideas:

Brain Foods

Yes, there are foods that are great for the brain. I know the temptation, especially during stressful times, to just grab the quickest and easiest food-on-the-run, but the few extra minutes it takes to prepare something that’s actually good for you (and not just empty calories that give you a quick burst of energy) will make all the difference. You may actually be saving time in the long run, since your brain-boosting meals will keep your mind moving at its max!

Green leafy vegetables contain folate, which produces dopamine – a brain chemical that keeps you calm, while proteins can help produce serotonin, the happiness chemical. Fish is high in omega-3, a famous brain-building food, and the probiotics in yogurt also have tremendous benefits.

See this list for some more great brain snacks.

Foods to avoid

The last thing you want during a high-pressured time like exams is to make yourself more fatigued and anxious than you already are. But that’s exactly what many processed or sugary foods will do to your system. The high fat content can make you feel bloated and sluggish, and the glucose will make your blood sugar spike, leading to the inevitable crash in sugar levels – leaving you even more stressed.
Another point to think about is your caffeine consumption. While caffeine can be beneficial in small amounts by increasing concentration, energy, and alertness, it will do the exact opposite when ingested in excess. So while a cup of coffee may help you pull through those long study sessions, when too much is consumed, it can leave you jittery and irritable, with a racing heart and difficulty falling asleep (when you do finally fall into bed!)

Relaxation Techniques

There are lots of great ideas out there for relaxing your tension and letting out the stress. Many of them take very little time to implement, leaving you the time to do what you have to, with (hopefully!) lower stress levels:

• Take a bath
• Place soothing scents like lavender around your house or workspace
• Work outdoors – the sounds and smells will relax you even as you work
• Try some breathing exercises
• Get enough sleep (I know, easier said than done!)

Exercise is an especially great way to release endorphins, which will give you a quick mood boost and leave you feeling terrific. There are also many different massages you can have done, as well, to relax your entire body.

Another idea that may be a bit harder to try is limiting your internet and screen time. Aside from being a terrible time-waster (we all know how easy it is to lose track of time while on the web!), excessive internet usage has been linked to increased stress and mental disorders. It’s also important to stop all electronic use a little while before bedtime, to allow your mind to unwind.

If you’re looking for more relaxation methods, here’s a link to some great ways for students to lessen the stress while studying.

Just remember that all these ideas are to relax you, so if it just becomes just another thing on your to-do list that adds to your stress, it may not be worth it.

Vitamins

Did you know that over 75% of all visits to the doctor are related in some way to stress? An estimated 40 million American adults suffer from anxiety disorders. It’s no wonder that the amount of prescription medications to treat these issues are multiplying.

But there are also a number of natural vitamins that can help relieve the stress. I’m going to focus on three today, although there are plenty more.

• Valerian Root:

Valerian is an herb that's been used since ancient times. It relaxes the body and can also improve your quality of sleep.

• L-Theanine:

An amino acid found in green tea, L-Theanine is becoming increasingly popular, and it really works. It can have a calming effect in a very short amount of time, and will also help if you can’t sleep at night.

• B Complex:

The B vitamins can boost your energy and are important for your nervous system. They can help with stress by working with brain chemistry and balancing neurotransmitters. Vitamin B12 is particularly effective for anxiety and stress.

Of course, as with every dietary supplement, speak to your doctor if you are taking any other medications are have any sort of medical condition.

Other ideas

While you’re so preoccupied, it’s easy to forget about the regular everyday things you’ve always enjoyed. But during peak stress time is when you need them the most! Talk to a friend, hang out with your family, and spend some time on a favorite hobby, And of course, like everything in life, it’s important to keep it all in perspective. This too will pass!

Do you have a great way to relax and de-stress? Help us out of our misery – we’ll be forever grateful! Leave your comment here.