Stress, according to the US National Institutes of Health, is a response related to mental and emotional exhaustion and physical tension, caused by feeling more overburdened than usual. On the other hand, anxiety (closely related to chronic fatigue) is similar to stress but to a lesser degree and it is not unusual for it to appear more frequently in the life of every human being.
What causes anxiety?
- It may be caused by genetic inheritance – predisposition leads to more incidents and episodes.
- Family environment – a person’s childhood can have repercussions.
- Neurotransmitter imbalance from lack of sleep.
- Not eating at the right time or not eating the right foods.
- Traumatic events that have not been overcome or forgotten.
What causes stress?
- Excessive negativity – a person who always finds problems but no solutions is prone to experiencing stress.
- Strong emotions – for example, breakups are one of the main causes of postmodern stress.
- Acoustic stress – evidenced by the increasing audiovisual contamination in the media. A person who is exposed to unnecessary or unwanted noise can suffer lapses of stress.
- Living alone out of fear – people who tend to live removed from everyone and everything can suffer from stress and as a result maintain their solitary existence, which does not do any good for their mental and emotional health.
- Economic, family, religious or other similar problems.
Tea to reduce stress and calm anxiety?
There are different ways to fight both psychophysical afflictions. One of the best options is derived from natural processes which are effective and simple to implement. With this in mind, below we have the best teas for reducing stress and calming anxiety.
Chamomile tea
This is one of the most effective natural relaxants. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, chamomile has the same activity on altered neurotransmitters as any synthetic relaxant. Its effectiveness is a result of its high content of sesquiterpenes, a substance that reaches the limbic brain (where memory and emotions are controlled) and the entire nervous system. This ability helps it reduce certain reactions that cause anxiety and stress.
To take advantage of its benefits, all you have to do is heat a cup of water and add 4 g of chamomile flowers. Let it steep for about ten minutes and drink. If you have high blood pressure, it’s recommended to drink two cups a day. You can sweeten it with honey if you wish.
Ginseng
This is a natural substance which helps the human body improve its physical and mental condition throughout the day. Its nutrients act directly on the performance of the immune system and part of the central nervous system. It is not recommended for pregnant women since it can sometimes affect the pituitary gland.
For maximum effectiveness, it is recommended to drink two cups a day. It shouldn’t be prepared in aluminum or iron containers because these materials deplete its nutrients. All you have to do is add one or two ginseng roots cut into small pieces and add water, let boil on low heat and let steep for 45 minutes before drinking.
Valerian tea
Valerian’s therapeutic effects for reducing stress and calming anxiety have made it one of the most used herbs. It works as an antidepressant, anticonvulsant, sedative, anxiolytic and other similar functions. It is also used as a tranquilizer and analgesic in the brain and central nervous system.
Its effect is positive when taking two cups for a period of 28 days. It is not recommended for women who are pregnant or lactating. Preparing the tea is simple. All you have to do is let one tablespoon of valerian steep in a cup of hot water, let steep for two minutes maximum and drink.
Lavender
Lavender tea helps reduce stress. Its calming effect is due to the fact that it contains substances which stick to the peripheral nervous system’s signal transmission mechanism and reduce the lactate that generally causes a person to feel too stressed. To make a lavender tea you just need to pour 70 g of this flower in 2 liters of water and let steep for about 15 minutes before drinking. Two cups a day will be enough to notice an improvement.
Passion flower
Also known as passiflora, passion flower helps reduce anxiety and stress. Its effectiveness is due to its anxiolytic effects which calm these problems. Basically, it stimulates neurotransmitters and relaxes the nervous system. To prepare this tea, simply add 100 g of this flour to 1.5 liters of hot water and let steep for about 30 minutes. Afterwards, it’s ready to drink. It’s recommended to drink no more than two cups per day.
Tips to feel relaxed
The teas to reduce stress and calm anxiety described above are effective. But the less they are used, the better it is for a person’s health. To achieve this emotional and physical balance, try the following tips.
- Breathe deeply during situations that can affect your mood.
- Avoid excessive consumption –or any consumption – of energy drinks.
- Exercise or do a session of yoga at least two times per week.
- Figure out the causes that lead to anxiety episodes and begin a natural treatment.
- Fight anxiety by understanding what is happening and not fleeing.
- Correctly interpret each situation to avoid unnecessary episodes.
- Communicate your feelings – not doing this creates a time bomb that will explode sooner or later.
- Learn to be tolerant of others, anyone with their virtues and faults can be beneficial and vice versa.
- Rest properly, which includes sleeping between 5 and 8 hours and, if possible, an afternoon nap.
