Top 5 Natural Calming Remedies

While stress is an inevitable part of life, a recent survey of adults by the American Psychological Association found that overall stress levels have been on the rise. We know that stress is harmful to both mental and physical health. So how can we manage our stress levels?Fortunately, there are ways to help naturally promote calm and overcome the many tolls that stress can take on the body. Engaging in regular exercise, getting adequate sleep and taking a holistic approach with natural remedies can be an effective solution for a soothed mind-body connection.

Aromatherapy, which uses essential oils, has been found to promote calm and relaxation. Many of the herbs and concentrated extracts found in some natural remedies have been used therapeutically for thousands of years.

Here are some top natural calming remedies you may want to try!

Calm with chamomile. Taking just 5 or 10 minutes to enjoy a cup of chamomile tea can ease jitters and promote relaxation before bed. When taken in concentrated doses (such as supplement form), chamomile has been said to produce calming effects similar to sedatives.

Let worries drift away with lavender. Well-known for inducing a state of calm, lavender is commonly used as an essential oil, a flavoring in food and beverages and as a fragrance in many cosmetics and soaps. Lavender essential oil is a wonderful addition to bathwater, helping to sedate the mind as well as produce a muscle-relaxing effect. Or, try this DIY Calming Spray made with lavendar and chamomile essential oils.

Lower heart rate with lemon. While lemon is often an invigorating, fresh scent used in the kitchen, it can also work to soothe stress. According to a recent Japanese study, a 10-minute aromatherapy session using yuzu, a Japanese citrus lemon, significantly reduced the heart rate.

Reduce anxiety with bergamot. With a delightful citrusy scent and Italian origin, bergamot has become a popular essential oil for relieving tension and anxiety, backed by scientific studies. Aromatherapy treatment with bergamot essential oil stimulates the brain to exert neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine to promote calm.

Visualize sweet dreams with valerian. Many times, trouble sleeping and stress go hand-in-hand. To calm anxiety and psychological distress, valerian is commonly used to address sleep disorders. Valerian is available in several forms, including tinctures, capsule supplements and tea, and typically doesn’t cause morning drowsiness like prescription sleep aids.